The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Desktop wireless?

    Discussion in 'Networking and Wireless' started by Robert in Sadorus, May 22, 2007.

  1. Robert in Sadorus

    Robert in Sadorus Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    17
    Messages:
    354
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    My neighbor wants to know if she put a wireless card in her desktop would she be able to use my wireless connection? Her house is less then 20 feet away from mine.
     
    Robert in Sadorus, May 22, 2007
    #1
  2. Cam_86

    Cam_86 Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    33
    Messages:
    378
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Why dont you walk over there, and see if your laptop can pick up the connection? If it can, then it shouldnt be a problem. If it comes in weak, you can always suggest she get a directional antenna and aim it in the general direction of your router.
     
    Cam_86, May 22, 2007
    #2
  3. Robert in Sadorus

    Robert in Sadorus Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    17
    Messages:
    354
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I have an excellent signal quality at her house with my laptop. I was asking because someone from Best Buy told her that desktop wireless cards don't work like Notebook cards and that it wouldn't pick up the signal.That the only way she could do it wirelessly was if she had her own wireless internet set up in her home.
    Can anyone confirm or deny this claim for me before i have her get the wireless card?
     
    Robert in Sadorus, May 22, 2007
    #3
  4. blue68f100

    blue68f100 Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    1,020
    Messages:
    3,439
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    105
    The reason why is that most card have the antenna directly connected. With this setup the card is being shielded by the case. If the antenna is pointing toward your house it may work. Get one with a antenna coax lead. Or use a usb one with a external antenna.
     
    blue68f100, May 23, 2007
    #4
  5. Robert in Sadorus

    Robert in Sadorus Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    17
    Messages:
    354
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    The ones i have been looking at have an antenna that screw on the outside of the card and stick up along the the back of the case, will that work?
     
    Robert in Sadorus, May 23, 2007
    #5
  6. WackyT

    WackyT Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    906
    Messages:
    1,389
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    56
    Not much range with those, Robert. Especially if the computer is located under a desk on the floor. On a couple installs I had to replace the screw on antenna with an external 5 or 7 dBi antenna on a lead to get a good signal.
     
    WackyT, May 23, 2007
    #6
  7. Robert in Sadorus

    Robert in Sadorus Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    17
    Messages:
    354
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Robert in Sadorus, May 23, 2007
    #7
  8. WackyT

    WackyT Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    906
    Messages:
    1,389
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    56
    WackyT, May 23, 2007
    #8
  9. Robert in Sadorus

    Robert in Sadorus Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    17
    Messages:
    354
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Thanks for the info. I was looking at those as well.
     
    Robert in Sadorus, May 23, 2007
    #9