Cheap and easy wireless router range fix?

[imacbad]

I just set up my first network ever in my house using a d-link 614+ wireless router and my new laptop. It works perfectly except my room, which is the furthest room in the house away from my regular computer and the router, the signal is very weak. Is there any easy thing I can do. The room is only about 50 ft away but it is up a story and on an angle. I'm looking for any easy and cheap thing I can do to the router to make it extend its range a little. Is there such a thing?

 

[gunrunnerjohn]

You can relocate the router to a central point in the house, or add an external antenna, depending on the specific model router of course. D-Link also makes a repeater that might solve your problem, it will give you better coverage.

 

[imacbad]

I saw the repeater but i just spent 70 on the router and the reason i bought it was because it was so cheap. spending more on a repeater seems kinda pointless. I also though about moving the router and i may do it the only thing is the spot the main computer and cable modem are in is not very easy to bring cat5 to and from and since i'm about to be a freshman in college and will only be using the wireless here during summers and breaks its a project i don't feel like doing. any other suggestions?

 

[JackMDS]

There is a good D-Link Repeater (900AP+). You can find it for $50.

 

[Soybomb]

Maybe fish the cat5 through the air ducts to make it easier or something? You could look into an antenna, but you're talking as much as a repeater then. No real magic way to make it work better. Money or a little sweat, which ever you prefer

 

[xSauronx]

Pringles Antenna, super cheap

dunno if youre up for soldering anything if you have access to a solderin iron or not...but eh
its cheap

 

[JackMDS]

Originally posted by: xSauronx
Pringles Antenna, super cheap

dunno if youre up for soldering anything if you have access to a solderin iron or not...but eh
its cheap

Highly directional. Good solution for out side settings with Line of sight, to bridge two systems. Inside in your home????

If changing the positioning of the Router within its local does not help, there is no other miracle solutions to this situation.

What I would do.

Return the Wireless Router, get a cheap regular Router
(about $10-$20).

Get an Access Point (about $50). plug the AP to the Router with a long CAT5e and position the AP in the hallway.

You will get better coverage all over the house for about the same price.

 

[imacbad]

thanks for all the suggestions. Before i do anything drastic i seem to have made some progress. I read in another thread that some people were having problems with connectivity with the d-link because it can be setup for 22mbs. I turned off all the features that deal with 22mbs and changed the channel from 1 to 3 as well to see if it would doa nything. Now i'm getting a very good connection at 2mbs (which is perfect cause my isp is limited to 1.5 anyway) in a room where I used to get a low connection. I think this did something i'm gonna screw around with the settings some mroe.

 

[venk]

I am having some similar problems with my router, can you post exactly what changes you made. Thanks

 

[venk]

I am having some similar problems with my router, can you post exactly what changes you made. Thanks