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    A good router please, and some questions.

    Discussion in 'Networking and Wireless' started by redevils89, Apr 22, 2007.

  1. redevils89

    redevils89 Notebook Consultant

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    A while ago, I bought a wireless router at a store and installed it. The coverage was about literally 20 feet.. If there was a wall, it would not pass through it. Definitely not enough to fill my house..

    I want a router that can have the maximum coverage. I want to have a router in one corner room to the room in the opposite corner of the house. Which I am guessing would be about 90 feet. I tried out my friend's Belkin Pre-n router and it has a very good coverage.

    Why did my router have such a short coverage? Is it my internet jack's fault? Or is it the Pre-n technology that helps it have more coverage? If there are even better ones, can you suggest any?

    And also, can all routers be installed on a Vista?

    Thanks in advance!
     
  2. WackyT

    WackyT Notebook Deity

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    Wireless coverage is determined by power output of the radio transmitter, dB rating for the antenna(s) used on the transmitter, and sensitivity of the receiver in the computer/laptop. Get a good Linksys wireless router (WRT54GL) and some high gain antennas for it, and you should be fine.
     
  3. redevils89

    redevils89 Notebook Consultant

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    for the wireless cards built into laptop these days
    (my brother has a less than 6-month laptop and I bought mine a week ago)
    is the wireless device sensitive enough to receive WRT54GL internet from 60 feet away with like 6 walls in between?

    Thanks.
     
  4. WackyT

    WackyT Notebook Deity

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    It matters on what cards you have. The Intel card that came from Dell in my E1705 laptop was pathetic at best. I replaced it with an Atheros chipset card and got about twice the coverage as the Intel.
     
  5. blue68f100

    blue68f100 Notebook Virtuoso

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    If you have a Raylink 2500, it only has a range of 5 ft, and expect drops too. So if you have the Raylink card, replace it with a good one like WackyT suggested.
     
  6. jujube

    jujube Notebook Deity

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    Another general rule of thumb is to get both wireless router and the receiver from the same manufacturer (Belkin Pre-N router with a Belkin Pre-N card) - though all manufacturer devices are suppose to be compatible with each other but they work better with their own line/class of products.