How to Make a WiFi Signal Booster for a Computer

[Heatheredge1909]

Your wireless router can create a wireless network throughout your house and allow you to access computer media from anywhere in your house. However, for people with larger homes, some rooms might not get a strong signal

How to Make a WiFi Signal Booster for a Computer???

 

[knoober]

I've been struggling with this one for a while now. The best option is purchasing a repeater (if you need recommendations, maybe the other guys can help because I'm not sure what is good) or repurpose an old wifi router as a repeater/bridge. Pretty much all the other "signal boosters" amount to putting tinfoil on old television antenna: pretty much a placebo.

Of course before you make any purchases, there are free things to do like optimal router placement, switching to less congested channels (or using the 5ghz band if that is an option) and just plain making sure your router supports the distance you are trying to cover.

 

[demien88]

Save yourself of trouble and buy repeater

 

[Alaric]

I've been struggling with this one for a while now. The best option is purchasing a repeater (if you need recommendations, maybe the other guys can help because I'm not sure what is good) or repurpose an old wifi router as a repeater/bridge. Pretty much all the other "signal boosters" amount to putting tinfoil on old television antenna: pretty much a placebo.

Of course before you make any purchases, there are free things to do like optimal router placement, switching to less congested channels (or using the 5ghz band if that is an option) and just plain making sure your router supports the distance you are trying to cover.

I like this course of action first, myself. Make sure you can get all your current system has to offer. Otherwise everything you pile on a broken system won't deliver to expectations either. My $.02

 

[Pinky]

Of course before you make any purchases, there are free things to do like optimal router placement, switching to less congested channels (or using the 5ghz band if that is an option) and just plain making sure your router supports the distance you are trying to cover.

I third this.

 

[Kenrou]

Speaking of (sorry to hyjack), does anyone know of a good program to test WiFi signal strength for Windows so one can change router channels ? Preferably freeware ?

 

[knoober]

Speaking of (sorry to hyjack), does anyone know of a good program to test WiFi signal strength for Windows so one can change router channels ? Preferably freeware ?

Not sure how you would test from Windows I guess? I normally just use one of the myriad to be found in the Google Play Store to check signal strength of the AP and then use Speedtest.net to check the connection speed from within Windows

 

[Kenrou]

Got one, shows signal strength and which channel other routers are using in the neighborhood so we can avoid it. Too bad it's trial+pay

https://lizardsystems.com/wi-fi-scanner/

 

[Alaric]

I just use the one in the wifi menu. Not very quantifiable, but I haven't run across a need for more yet.



edit: I forgot this one http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/wifiinfoview.html
I actually have that one. Provides all sorts of info on local signals, including signal strength. And it's free.

 

[Kenrou]

That should do perfect, thank you. Found out that most routers in the street use channel 1 for some reason (they are mostly from different providers) while I was on 6, so tried all the way up to 13 and got a nice boost on it.

 

[Alaric]

Glad it helped. I have it in this package http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/nirlauncher.html which is just full of interesting utilities and doesn't even have to be installed.

 

[TransformedBG]

Honestly i just put multiple access points around.. i have 3 Ubiquiti Access points around the house with zero hand off enabled.... works perfect. if you have the ability to do that... i would suggest it.