help please (wireless networking)

krishan · #1 04-21-2007, 01:14 PM

I have a laptop (dell inspiron year old) and it accesses the neighbors network just fine. For the life of me I can't get my desktop and primary computer to recognize the networks. Are the network adapters in laptops more high powered? I just bought a new destop wireless adapter. Not a USB one. I don't get it.

I need this to work because my cable network sucks and goes down all the damn time.

Is there something I can plug from my laptop to desktop that would allow me to use my laptop as an internet connection for my desktop? Any other ideas? Thanks,

Krishan

SamIAm · #2 04-21-2007, 03:38 PM

My blackbook does get better signal than my fiance's compaq laptop, but it's a matter of signal. Does one of your machines barely see the network and the other just miss it? "just fine" implies that the laptop doesn't have connection issues, so I'd think the desktop would at least see the network.

Depending on the wireless card in the desktop, you could buy an external antannae for the desktop. That helped me borrow wireless from the neighbors.

LuckyTxGuy · #3 04-22-2007, 12:08 AM

Good post by Sam. His last comment is referring to a PCI card similar to this one. Newegg Link I just bought that exact card for a customer's old Win '98 pc and it worked great.

One thing to also remember is that leaching off someone else's connection is technically illegal and basically everything you do and type online can be captured by them if they are tech savvy. On the other hand most people who are that tech savvy don't leave their wireless networks wide open, but it does happen.

To me the easier solution would be figure out what internet provider they use and switch to it for you connection. Problem solved and nothing else to buy for your other computers.

krishan · #4 04-22-2007, 12:26 AM

[ QUOTE ]
My blackbook does get better signal than my fiance's compaq laptop, but it's a matter of signal. Does one of your machines barely see the network and the other just miss it? "just fine" implies that the laptop doesn't have connection issues, so I'd think the desktop would at least see the network.

Depending on the wireless card in the desktop, you could buy an external antannae for the desktop. That helped me borrow wireless from the neighbors.

[/ QUOTE ]

My notebook sees 10 networks 2 of which are strong enough and unsecured. My desktop sees 3 from the same location. It can't see the critical 2.

Krishan

krishan · #5 04-22-2007, 12:28 AM

[ QUOTE ]

To me the easier solution would be figure out what internet provider they use and switch to it for you connection. Problem solved and nothing else to buy for your other computers.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm sure they use DSL. I think the bundled services with cable is nice + it shouldn't really be down as much as it has been recently. Relining the neighborhood with fiber optic.

Krishan