Boosting Wifi Signal

[dcbullet]

In my house, the wifi router is upstairs. My PS3 is downstairs on the opposite side. The signal is so weak as to be unusable.

What's the easiest way to boost the signal without running cable through the walls? It's a "G" wifi system, if that makes a difference.

[mooncusser]

what kind of router? if it takes a 3rd party firmware (like Tomato) there can be setting to increase radio power. higher gain antennas might also be an option depending on make/model.
mobile PWing device

[rbiased]

Again, depending on your setup, you may be able to use a device like Apple's Airport Express to extend your wireless network. Just plug it in somewhere where it gets a decent signal from your main router but closer to your PS3 and set it up as an extension to your existing network.

I have one and it works great, especially handy as it has a usb port and an ethernet port as well so I can connect devices that are not wireless to it.

http://www.apple.com/airportexpress/

[dcbullet]

I have a linksys WRT54g. It is probably 4 or so years old.

Does the Airport Express work with Windoze?

[P A U L]

N systems have greater distance...

You can get one of these:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&hs=9Ae&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&biw=613&bih=393&q=wireless+repeater&oq=wireless+repeater&aq=f&aqi=g1g-c3g1g-c1g1g-c2g1&aql=1&gs_sm=e&gs_upl=7995l9853l0l10863l8l8l0l0l0l1l228l1358l0.6.2l8

& put it somewhere along the path...

[paddington]

Linksys makes an extender for your router... the most popular router on Earth for like 5 years.
It's here: http://www.amazon.com/Linksys-Wireless-G-Range-Expander-WRE54G/dp/B0007SQG5S

But - it's $145 and you still have only G (54Mb (22Mb avg after error correction) speeds... I'd get an N (at least twice as fast, up to 10x as fast) router with greater range. It'll be cheaper and more future-proof.
Not sure if the PS3 has an N radio in it, but you'll want the N standard for any furture Netflix-type streaming settop boxes you get (Apple TV comes with an N radio in it and works great with my N router streaming the 720p HD from Netflix). All N routers will connect to an older G device (and usually the old B & A types, too).

Check your distances to be sure, but for the same price as the old G extender, you can just replace the router with one of these N-types:

http://home.cisco.com/en-us/wireless/linksys/specs

I'd probably get the E3200 because it has the Gb ports in the switch, dual-band N radio and is actually less $$$ than the G extender for your current router. The range will be better than the older unit you have (which I also had until about a year ago).



or, can you simply move the router closer to the center of the house or is that impractical?

[dcbullet]

It is impractical to put it closer. I will start with upgrading to an N. Then go from there. Thanks.

The PS3 only supports G but the boxee box supports n so maybe that will work.

[direwolf-pgh]

Fast Ethernet via any electrical outlet (http://www.staples.com/Netgear-Powerline-AV-500-Adapter-Kit/product_927661)

it works quite well / fast solid connection or extension

[Unidecker]

build a cantenna ...google it very easy and cheap to make..

[dcbullet]

Fast Ethernet via any electrical outlet (http://www.staples.com/Netgear-Powerline-AV-500-Adapter-Kit/product_927661)

it works quite well / fast solid connection or extension

Whoah, that's the ticket!

[saltman]

Sometimes there are conflicts with the security type you use (wep, wpa, wpa2) on the same wifi network if you are using the mixed b, g, n, protocols. If you still have old stuff on your N system, that is going to be an issue. Some devices can only use one of the types and others can use them all. Then you have to make a choice of using slow B G and N with lax security or N only with great security.

I went N only with mine.

I would check the security type that each device you plan on connecting uses and with whichever router you end up with. You are going to want an N router anyway. Go ahead and get it. They are cheap.


You can also get a wifi repeater. I would run a cable. It's easy and better.

[dcbullet]

I can't run a cable in my house. It's a rental.

[paddington]

Pussy

[spursfan]

Would these work with the XBox as well?

[paddington]

Anything that has wireless G or N. Does your xbox do wireless G or N?

[spursfan]

it's wireless but I do not know about G or N.

[paddington]

It's likely G. The older A & B modes weren't too pervasive and the N mode has only been out for a few years and is just now becoming the norm.

G is dead, because N has become CHEAP to get. N is backward compatible with G devices.

[jabba1969]

I like the "cantenna" idea. :clap:

http://cruftbox.com/cruft/docs/cantenna.html

[spursfan]

It's likely G. The older A & B modes weren't too pervasive and the N mode has only been out for a few years and is just now becoming the norm.

G is dead, because N has become CHEAP to get. N is backward compatible with G devices.

Mine is two years old. 2701HG-B Gateway

[dcbullet]

Fast Ethernet via any electrical outlet (http://www.staples.com/Netgear-Powerline-AV-500-Adapter-Kit/product_927661)

it works quite well / fast solid connection or extension

Whoah, that's the ticket!


I purchased this today and it seems to work very well. The house I'm in was built in 1980 and I'm only able to get the middle strength link, signified by an amber led. However, I tested netflix streaming and it seems to work well. I'll see how it continues to work in the future.

Thanks for all the help, all.