Range problem maybe?

[mikehende]

My garage is situated at the back of the house, the router is located in the house, I used to get my pc [wireless] to connect to the net but now it stopped all of a sudden, the signal was always "low" to begin with. I am guessing that this may be a "range" problem? If so, what can I do to get to connect? The wife said that we can get another router which will give more range but that will be a ways off so I am looking for a cheap temporary but effective option in the meantime, any ideas please?

[Whyzman]

They're called either range extenders or range expanders...

What router manufacturer do you have?

[mikehende]

Linksys, here's something I am thinking of

http://cgi.ebay.com/LINKSYS-WIRELESS-G-RANGE-EXPANDER-EXTENDER-WRE54G-NEW_W0QQitemZ150054586067QQihZ005QQcategoryZ71503Q QrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

This can work?

[mjc]

First, look at things that might have changed over the past couple of weeks/months.

Have you put more stuff between the garage wall that is closest to the router and the router? Moved the router? Moved the computer in the garage? Added any new wireless devices? Have your neighbors added anything?

Have you tried changing channels on the network?

[Whyzman]

When one reads the white pages on the product it appears to be able to do what it says...

There are a couple of possibilities with Linksys:

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_/104-7753539-7355113?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=linksys+range

The antennae under New and Used look like they can be had for around $22.00 + s/h

However, checking Google's satellite view of your area shows a new high voltage power line about a block from your house... :)

[mikehende]

The only I can think of that changed when this problem started happening is that I moved the router up 1 shelf, I moved it back but no change. I'll try the channel changing, thanks!

[Whyzman]

Also, if I remember correctly, most wi-fi routers broadcast in the 2.4Ghz (some newer in the 5.8Ghz I think), but in the 2.4 there's a ton of stuff that can potentially interfere. If you've moved a cordless phone, or your neighbor has just put in a new one or moved theirs...