Increase wireless network range help?

[Deadphishy]

Here is the deal guys.
My girlfriend has an apartment with 4 other girls. they are all one a wireless linksys g router, based in the basement. one computer is right next to it pluged in. and the other 4 are upstairs. 3 desktops, and one laptop. the laptop and two desktops are working fine. with a strong signal. (the laptop uses the PC card the was bundled with the router. the others are using these

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=33-162-116&depa=5

it's the last computer furthest from the basement steps that doesn't get a good signal

What would you guys say would be the best way to boost the signal. with an access point? i'm not real informed on those. or an anntena

cheap would be nice. thanks for the ideas

[Tebore]

Here is the deal guys.
My girlfriend has an apartment with 4 other girls. they are all one a wireless linksys g router, based in the basement. one computer is right next to it pluged in. and the other 4 are upstairs. 3 desktops, and one laptop. the laptop and two desktops are working fine. with a strong signal. (the laptop uses the PC card the was bundled with the router. the others are using these

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=33-162-116&depa=5

it's the last computer furthest from the basement steps that doesn't get a good signal

What would you guys say would be the best way to boost the signal. with an access point? i'm not real informed on those. or an anntena

cheap would be nice. thanks for the ideas

You can try some bigger antennas or getting rigging a wired antenna to the above floor.

[JDXNC]

You could also try relocating the router, try to center it as much to all the computers.

[Deadphishy]

the problem is they put the cable in in downstairs and the router can't be moved. because it's a house with 5 girls all of witch are 19. and i'm not going to visit her untill the 24th.

she is out buying an antenna right now. but i've read that putting an antenna on a linksys router doesn't do much. but i just found out that she can put it on the desktop adaptor, so that might help

[Nick Burns]

Here is an article with a firmware hack that allows you to boost the signal strength of the router free of charge. I have not tried this, but Kevin Rose assured me that it works wonders for getting signals in hard to reach places.
linux on linksys (http://www.g4techtv.com/screensavers/features/354/Dark_Tip_Linux_on_Linksys.html)

[Deadphishy]

thanks but, if I messed up there router, i would have 5 19 year old girl yelling at me. and who wants that.

[Ziggey]

Could try a signal booster but they run like 65 bucks.
You've already mentioned replacing the antenna, but be warned a good +8bd antenna can get expensive. If she is buying an antenna try to get a point direction antenna, instead of the omni direction. That way you could just point it towards the router.
Could mount the router hugher up on the wall?

19 year old girls screaming at you...(those were the days)

[Waachback]

Try some tin foil or relocate the router.

[reaper19]

I am having the same problem here. When I first hooked up my network 2 years ago it ran great. Now i get a very good connection at best and downloads take forever. My linksys cards blow since the copper piece that connects to the card itself seperates from the card. I leave my 2 cases open just to fix the cards. I bought a new d-link card that sucks just as bad. The computer downstairs that my roomie use has a great connection everytime. I am starting to dislike wireless......oh yeah and no one is on my network either besides the 4 computers.

[gahdzila]

wow, just what I was looking for...just not much info here yet :D

I'm thinking of upgrading my antennas, and was hoping to hear from someone who's had good luck with this.

This place (http://www.hyperlinktech.com/) has 5.5 dBi omnidirectional "rubber duck" antennas for pretty cheap.

What should I look for in an antenna?

What the heck is a dBi anyway? (a measure of the strength of the antenna, I assume)

How many dBi does a standard wireless router/PCI card antenna have, and how much more powerful of an antenna will I need to buy to have much of a difference?