router question

**monkeydog** · 09-10-2006, 09:05 PM

Hey, was wondering if anyone could help me with something here. We live in a trailer,70 feet long. The computer is set up in the kitchen at one end of trailer. My wife has a laptop in our bedroom wich is about 50 feet straight down hallway and then around two quick 90 degree corners.
We have the internet cable plugged into a 2.4 GHz router (54Mbps) wich is hard wired into our desktop. Her laptop works great wireless in the bedroom getting on internet. However, we also have a wireless printer/scanner/fax in bedroom that is'nt doing well. If we set it in the living room (close to router) it gets 3 signal bars and works perfect. But in bedroom it only gets 1 signal bar and wont print.
So.... stronger router, right? I guess my question is how many GHz should come with a good strong router without supplying internet for everyone up and down the road? Or is there maybe some kind of "relay" that could go halfway and increase signal?
Thanx! appreciate any thoughts!
P.s. let me know if this question is not appropriate as it does'nt really pertain to gaming, and I wont be offended to delete it. Thanx again

**RAB** · 09-10-2006, 09:45 PM

I haven't worked much with wireless, but you should be able to get a signal booster for your router to increase the range. As for supplying your neighbors with internet access. Your router should have built in encryption to prevent that. Check your manual and settings to make sure it's enabled.

Here's one signal booster I found at Newegg.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Custra...82E16833164150

**monkeydog** · 09-10-2006, 09:53 PM

thanx RAB, will look into signal boosters. My son said just wire up a network, But my wife does'nt want wires everywhere and I'd really rather not crawl around uner the house running cable, so If its feasable to go wireless without spending a fortune thats what we would like to do.
Did'nt know the router would encrypt, that makes me feel better about boosting signal.
Thanxs again RAB!

**RAB** · 09-11-2006, 04:42 AM

Just out of curiosity, what router are you working with. I'll see if I can dig up a little more info on the security settings. I would think the default settings in the router would have that enabled but you never know. Plus there might be other options for boosting you signal depending on which router you have.

**monkeydog** · 09-11-2006, 05:24 AM

We are using a Linksys wireless-G 2.4Ghz, 54Mbps. We tried a Hawking Hi-Gain antenna, but found no increase in signal strength. Thats what made me figure we probably needed more power from the base unit.

**RAB** · 09-11-2006, 08:32 AM

I found this on the Linksys site. It's not really a signal booster. It's more of a relay station.

http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satel...VisitorWrapper

I found a copy of the user guide for a Linksys model wrt54g at this link.
Linksys Model WRT54G
Has a link to DL the user guide about mid page. Check out Appendix B about wireless security. I also saw the set up directions for the wireless network. I don't know if this user guide is the same info that came with the router or not. Hope it helps you though.

**Phaser** · 09-11-2006, 09:54 AM

Just to let you know I have had a plether of problems with wireless stuff - in the UK most of the wireless things like routers, modems, cordless phones and mobile phones work on the 2.4 Ghz frequency, and I find if I have a wireless system on my PC and someone walks past the house with a mobile phone, it really messes up my broadband link. It also allows hackers an easy route into your PC.

**monkeydog** · 09-12-2006, 05:38 AM

Thanx again RAB and Phaser. We have just about given up on it. We tried a signal booster, and last night tried a new router that is supposed to have twice the power of the old one. Both to no avail. We were told at Best Buy that many people have problems in trailers because 90% of the house is wrapped in aluminum siding and it interferes with the signals, Perhaps they're right. More than likely we'll keep the old router for the business laptop and just do all printing from the desktop.
Checked out the security settings and got them dialed in, pluswe live in the country and only neighbors are family, so we feel pretty secure with the security.
Thanx again for the help!!