Improving WiFi card reception?

[J_Donk]

I stay in a detached building from the main house. The router is in there. I have a D-Link DWL-G520 wifi card installed. I can get a signal, but it doesn't seem very strong (usually only 1-3 bars show on the tray icon) and it tends to be fairly slow. The wifi on my laptop works great from the same location, however. I have tried a booster at the router but it didn't really help. One problem I have is that sometimes it will show that I am connected to the network, but says no internet access or it says Identifying... Would changing the antenna on my wifi card help with this? Or if you have any suggestions that could help. Unfortunately, I can't move my PC nor the router, so yeah, I already know that one. Also, what should I look for when buying a new antenna? Thanks.

 

[elbert]

You could make a booster using a soda can cut up and placed on the antenna to focus the signal.
http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Wi-Fi-Booster-Using-Only-a-Can

 

[boosted1g]

Is the deatched bulding powered by the same circuit breaker as the main house?

If so then you can try powerline adapters.

If not then you need an access point like a ubiquiti nanostation and install that outside (pointed at building with line-of-sight) with an etherent cable running from it to the router.
Then that should give you decent signal in the building.

 

[J_Donk]

You could make a booster using a soda can cut up and placed on the antenna to focus the signal.
http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Wi-Fi-Booster-Using-Only-a-Can

Do I have to put this on the router or could I put it on the antenna of my card? I don't have access to the router, just access to the network from my landlord.

 

[J_Donk]

Is the deatched bulding powered by the same circuit breaker as the main house?

If so then you can try powerline adapters.

If not then you need an access point like a ubiquiti nanostation and install that outside (pointed at building with line-of-sight) with an etherent cable running from it to the router.
Then that should give you decent signal in the building.

There are on different breakers. I really don't want to buy any equipment because I only rent here. My landlord isn't trying to do it either, so I'm trying to make what I have work better. Plus, if/when I move, I'd rather not have a useless piece of hardware in the way. Thanks though.

 

[BFG-9000]

A directional antenna in the window would help a lot and may be enough if your laptop works fine. Laptops usually have antennas running around the screen which are larger than the D-Link's little stub antenna and farther away from metal.

The problem is long antenna leads are very lossy so if you have to put the patch antenna more than a few feet away, you are better off getting a USB WiFi adapter as it can be put at the end of a 15 foot USB cable without loss.

 

[J_Donk]

A directional antenna in the window would help a lot and may be enough if your laptop works fine. Laptops usually have antennas running around the screen which are larger than the D-Link's little stub antenna and farther away from metal.

The problem is long antenna leads are very lossy so if you have to put the patch antenna more than a few feet away, you are better off getting a USB WiFi adapter as it can be put at the end of a 15 foot USB cable without loss.

Yeah, I was thinking about a USB adapter. The problem is that where I am is set off the house a bit, and the layout is such that I have to have my PC on the wall farthest from the main house. I'm sure I'll figure something out eventually. Just wanted to see if anyone had any good suggestions.

 

[BFG-9000]

If it helps, you could use up to six active repeater USB cables every 16'5" up to ~98 feet. There are also USB over ethernet adapters that go 328 feet, but that costs at least as much as those powerline adapters.

If the laptop works fine there though, you'd probably only need a better antenna or a more sensitive NIC. Either a USB adapter or patch antenna at the end of a short cable in front of a parabolic-ish reflector like a wok pointed at the house could work at least as well as the laptop.

 

[elbert]

You could make a booster using a soda can cut up and placed on the antenna to focus the signal.
http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Wi-Fi-Booster-Using-Only-a-Can

Do I have to put this on the router or could I put it on the antenna of my card? I don't have access to the router, just access to the network from my landlord.

Either or both as it basically turns it into a dish antenna. Be it emitter or receiver.