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Wireless adaptor

geoffg1
Grafter
Posts: 26
Registered: ‎25-09-2009

Wireless adaptor

I know very little about broadband, so I've put my question in this section.
I have plus.net broadband with the Thomson Gateway as supplied by Plus.Net. I have another PC in a different room which doesn't have a wireless facility. Is there a usb type plug in which would enable my other PC to connect wirelessly to my Thomson Gateway.
Cheers
Geoff Embarrassed
10 REPLIES 10
MisterW
Superuser
Superuser
Posts: 14,574
Thanks: 5,408
Fixes: 385
Registered: ‎30-07-2007

Re: Wireless adaptor

Basically , yes,  there are lots of USB Wireless Adaptors out there. You need an 802.11G ( or 54M ) one to be compatible with the Thomson Gateway. You will need a spare USB2.0 port on the PC to get maximum performance.
Have a look here http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Network+Products/Wireless/Adapter+-+USB/?x=12&p_order=price_asc&p=cF9...
or here http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=usb+wireless&x=0&y=0
Shout up with any more questions.

Superusers are not staff, but they do have a direct line of communication into the business in order to raise issues, concerns and feedback from the community.

Not applicable

Re: Wireless adaptor

Just my own observations on this:
I have a USB wireless dongle (Edimax) that I tried on my friend's machine which was upstairs - router downstairs. Signal was not strong enough so had to abandon it.
On the other hand, it works very well on another friend's desktop but she lives in a small bungalow and the distance between it and the router is very short indeed.
A better solution is an internal wireless card. Last time I fitted one I used a Linksys and it cost about £14.99 from Amazon. It was easy to install (it must be if I can manage it).
geoffg1
Grafter
Posts: 26
Registered: ‎25-09-2009

Re: Wireless adaptor

Thanks for those replies. There's a Silicon shop not far from here, so I'll pop in and see what they have.
Cheers again
Geoff Smiley
geoffg1
Grafter
Posts: 26
Registered: ‎25-09-2009

Re: Wireless adaptor

Hi again,
I ended up getting a Mini usb wireless dongle from ebay. Works super. Thanks again for the help.
geoff Smiley
Not applicable

Re: Wireless adaptor

Thank you for letting us know the outcome. Just as a matter of interest, how far away from the router is the machine with the dongle?
geoffg1
Grafter
Posts: 26
Registered: ‎25-09-2009

Re: Wireless adaptor

Sorry for the delay in replying. The pc with the dongle is in the room above the router, so I suppose it's about 12 feet away. Quite close. really.
Cheers again
Geoff  Smiley
Not applicable

Re: Wireless adaptor

Thanks for that. It's a similar distance to my friend's set up. Might be worth another try when I am in the mood.
Glad that yours is working well.
shutter
Community Veteran
Posts: 22,206
Thanks: 3,769
Fixes: 65
Registered: ‎06-11-2007

Re: Wireless adaptor

Here is a "simple" way to boost the "directional" quality of a wireless dongle...... once it is completed, you just "point" the dongle towards the source (router) of the wireless signal and it SHOULD improve both reception and transmission distances...
(haven`t tried it, but I think the video shows it works ! ! )
http://www.wonderhowto.com/how-to-hack-wifi-usb-adapter-better-reception-210506/
Not applicable

Re: Wireless adaptor

Intriguing! Would never have thought of it. Wonder if it has to be wire strainer?
(Poppy goes off to raid kitchen cupboard!).  Cheesy
scootie
Grafter
Posts: 4,799
Thanks: 1
Registered: ‎03-11-2007

Re: Wireless adaptor

all ready tried this a year ago. yes it does work, but i found two bake bean tins put togther to make a long tube works better if your trying for just distance but not area covered.
think the strainer gave a 1/4 more ap's and the bake bean tins was picking up ap's a few streets away but could only see one ap at a time