Networking & wireless forum: how to increase my laptop's wireless reception?

* position your wireless router closer to the room
* make your own directional antenna (FreeAntennas.com)
* purchase a higher gain antenna for your router
* add a wireless access point to your router (WAP)
* add a wireless range extender/repeater
* purchase a stronger wireless router (MIMO wireless router)

Does you neighbor know your sharing? Maybe the neighbor can just move their router closer to your room or did they move it for a reason?

Before you spend any money, go to www.binarywolf.com/249/coffee_can_antenna.html, read the page and then email Steve at binarywolf@gmail.com. Tell him exactly your problem. You can also look at www.turnpoint.net/winloss/cantennahowto.html. I had a problem with weak and failing wireless signals for more than two years. Steve suggested a solution using paper and tinfoil (parabolic reflector) which cost me nothing, took ten minutes and I constantly and consistently get 90-100% link and signal strength

Try deleting part of the URL, as follows.

Original: www.binarywolf.com/249/coffee_can_antenna.html

New: www.binarywolf.com/

This worked for me.

To PreppyStud: How do you know that your neighbor isn't snooping on your computer while you are connected?

Google: HOTSPOT EVIL TWIN

A person could get a hold of your personal/confidential files. A person could log EVERYTHING YOU TYPE, including all usernames, passwords, credit card numbers, banking numbers, social security number, etc. A person could damage your software (including your operating system) so as to make it unusable.

that someone is using or even trying to use my connection.. I just look at my network place... and start deleting or copying my virus collection files to that computer... (Yes I have collected several virus files, that I get from my quarantine folder, etc., specifically for this purpose.. nice huh??)

By the way.. if you create that can antenna etc., to get more of free signal around your neighbourhood... make sure you put it in your balcony, and turn it around to find one that have the strongest signal.

But don't blame me if a cops is knocking your door..

I have

LENOVO LAPTOP
WINDOWS XP PROFFESIONAL

I AM CONNECTED TO A NETCAFE PROVIDER IN WHICH FAR ABT 100 METER
FROM MY HOME..

A FREIND OF MINE TOLD TO BUY A NETGEAR TYPE OF WIRELESS ADAPTER HI-FI
IT WILL BE CONNECTED TO THE USB 2.O PORT IN MY LAPTOP.. OR AS HE DID
TO HIS LAPTOP.. TO SET THIS ADAPTOR IN HIS WINDOW INSIDE A SMALL
HAMD MADE DISH THEN TO CONNECTED TO A CABLE USB TO THE LAPTOP.

PLEASE ADVISE

BEST REGARDS
SAYED

Get a wireless gaming adapter, which is simply a wireless receptor which converts the signal to Ethernet. Then get a router and (making sure you use a different IP range, such as your neihbor has 192.168.1.x, you should set your DHCP as 192.168.0.x). Then set your WAN to dynamic IP (or cable internet setting) and set up the DNS Server to be your neighbor's router. I did this before, so I know it shuld work. So basically, you have a vitual DSL connection of your own complete with 4 ethernet connections and Wi-Fi capability. I am uploading a diagram to the following:
http://www.coolpics.5u.com/router_diagram.jpg
Hope you understood it!

I came up with a few advantages to my idea. You could have an encrypted connection on your router (much safer) and use its firewall and "block ping from WAN side" function to protect yourself from your neighbor who might want to give you a virus and other intruders. Also, you have a more secure connection anyway. Finally, make sure to block his IP range with your router (except for his actual router) and you're good to go!

True, but there are so many wireless networks nowadays and so few who know how to encrypt them