Wireless Signal Boosters

How do I increase my laptop's signal strength?

I have a compaq v2651 but the wireless signal is not as good as a 15" unit. Even side-by-side with other laptops it won't pick up have of the networks the other laptop gets, causing a big issue in school where I cannot access the in house wireless network while my classmates can! Is there any way to modify the laptop to increase signal strength? I cannot put too much in the usb ports (I have thought of getting a signal booster thing) as the lecture hall is already too tight with the laptop by itself. Thanks

Public Comments

1. Ok, I tried looking up for the model of your laptop but I think I could come across the v2625 model. Does your laptop have a PCMCIA card slot that you can put in a laptop wireless card? That might be the best solution for you. It happened with the Toshiba laptop that I had which was also having a problem with constant dropouts with the internal Pro-wireless built in card. I got a Linksys adapter card which I slotted it in and it's been a dream. You can try to get a card with at least 108mb transfer rate and ideally the same sort of brand with your home router, so if it's a Netgear, you just get an equivalent one. In school it doesn't matter with what brand it is but the reception for it will be better. My Linksys one had the SRX reception with enhances the quality signal I have with the 'g' wireless mode. I try as much as possible to do away with the USB port thingie because of the risk of getting the thing damaged, it's pretty delicate whereas the PCMCIA card goes right into a slot with a little bit of it sticking out.