skip to main content

device manager? is that where I find my 'range'?

14 years ago

I want to use the netbook outside, but sometimes it is sooo slow- only 1 bar.

I want to try a 'range extender'. There is a TRLink 722N- 150 mbps. It is not expensive- about $30- it is like a dongle, with an antennae.

I know it does not 'add' to my range/speed, so I need to know what my HP Mini has in it now. The Mini is about 2.5 years old.

I think I look in comouter/device manager, but then I don't know what to look at.

Someone told me that HP Mini comes with a '450', so then it wouldn't even make sense to get one.

Thanks

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

kudzu9
14 years ago
In my own experience, when I have had problems like this, it was usually not a function of some deficiency in my computer, it was a function of a problem with the signal being supplied by the router. Where is your router in relation to where you want to be with your computer? How old is your router? And what obstacles does the signal have to go through to get there? In the past, at my house, I found that I could have anything from a very strong signal to a terrible signal simply by moving just a couple of feet. When I bought a new router two years ago, the poor signal problem went away.
mikie_gw
14 years ago
If antenna's are detachable on the existing router.. perhaps a changing to a higher gain antenna, or directional antenna replacement would help. I've have had good luck with directional antenna's .

Even the quick rube goldberg home made simple reflectors over existing antenna work quite well for extending range here. I took some thin sheet aluminum, bent about half around some larger styrofoam cups, box taped it on...poked a hole up thru the bottom, mushed it over the antenna.. as an experiment... it worked amazingly well!
Related Discussions
Noisy Neighbors: Management Useless, Can I Break My Lease?
Q
Comments (6)
I'm pretty sure she knows that it's way too loud. She doesn't actually believe the maintenance guy is racist, if she does then she needs her head examined. I think she's stalling because she doesn't want to kick out paying tenants. I've actually tried to arrange something with the manager, because my neighbors usually start up around 6:30pm, half-an-hour after the office closes and all-day on Sundays when the office isn't open at all. The problem is, the office is usually closed by the time I get home from work. Tuesdays are the only days I'm home before 6pm and I think they've caught onto my pattern because she's always busy now when I show up and she's off on Saturdays. I've left messages with her assistants but she's totally dodging me. I sent an email to the regional manager last night, I don't have their phone number and can't find it for the life of me. It'll probably be a week or so before I hear anything back. As for my neighbors, they're friends with the people who live next door to them. The guy who lives above them is deaf (I'm not joking he's actually deaf). The woman who lives directly across from them works evenings and doesn't get home until midnight, but she actually told me that she can sometimes hear their television in her living room during the day, but she doesn't want to get involved. I think I can work on her and she might be willing to talk to the manager, if I can ever get a hold of her, but I still don't think my manager will do anything. If the regional manager won't get involved, can I break my lease without shelling out the subsequent fine?
...See More
Are you my mother? Aka where did I find this gorgeous kitchen?
Q
Comments (14)
I immediately thought of one of my kids' favorite books--for a while anyone who entered our house was asked to read it. One day my toddler son, by way of asking for the book, asked my BIL, "Do you like 'My Mother'?" BIL, got a strange look on his face, and said, "Of course I like your mother." I had to explain that son called it 'My Mother Book.' :) Back to the kitchen: It is of a style that makes my little heart go pitter-patter, but I agree that the layout could use some help.
...See More
Have I pissed off my contractor's office manager?
Q
Comments (60)
If you feel you're not getting what you need from the office manager, talk to the contractor him/herself. They can tell you a) if you're following their communication protocol, b) what that is (including response time expectations) if you're not, c) and come up with a plan moving forward where you feel you're being heard but working within their system. We have a communications procedure flowchart we give new clients so they know who handles what and how to initiate questions. As an owner I'd want to know if there was the perception that one of my staff was perceived as being an obstacle to the process. Then it'd be on me to determine if that perception is valid and counsel the employee, or if it's invalid and how we can structure something with the customer so they feel they're being heard. And I'd wager 100% of contractors and other pros see an engineer coming at them with an unsolicited spreadsheet and immediately wish they had a giant catapult at their disposal. Best of luck with the family visit, my MIL is an easy houseguest and I'm ready for one of us to go by day 4.
...See More
Where do I start to find tile for my new small bathroom?
Q
Comments (19)
Susie the bathroom does not exist yet lol! It will be rather small though, which is actually a good thing because I’d rather buy less tile & get something of high quality. It will be going on our second floor once we finish dormering our cape. All I know for sure is: * I’m planning on a larger shower in lieu of a tub. Unless UTIs suddenly become less terrible, I won’t be taking any baths anyway. Plus we have one downstairs. * I’m planning on floor to ceiling glass doors in the shower. * I kind of want a skylight? Is that crazy? * No subway tile (unless it barely resembles subway tile like in the examples below). Typical subway tile is too uniform for my taste. I think I prefer my tile to have more individual character. * I’d like some natural stone because I think it’s pretty & timeless. However somebody here mentioned it’s hard to take care of and that is a totally legitimate concern that I haven‘t considered. * I’m really trying to avoid anything trendy but I also really dig zellige tiles so I guess I’m planning on breaking my own rules. * Ideally I’d like to stay with “natural” colors. Warmer whites, maybe black?, stone, maybe like a light sage green (used sparingly) * None of that ”all grey farmhouse” nonsense that’s taken over New Jersey. I’ve incorporated a lot of warmth into my home in protest of this dying trend. * I don’t have the guts to use a patterned tile : / and perhaps most importantly: * I like mixing texture & finish- hence the interest in zellige tile
...See More
fruitjarfla
14 years ago
mikie --- I thought it was two Progresso soup cans tied together with a long string. Kidding!
I have a strong signal within my house but I am going to try it at some distance with alum. foil over my Netgear wireless instrument if someone doesn't beat me to it.
ilmbg
Original Author
14 years ago
The router is new- about 6 months- Time Warner.
The set-up is upstairsin an interior room, so there are 3 walls/cement floor between me and the outside. Inside is fine- it is outside that I want to improve.

I would like to know how to find the 'range', or built-in antennae strength that is loaded into my computer, please, if anyone know where to look.
kudzu9
14 years ago
ilmbg-
Some antennas are better at getting signals than others, but you're asking about a spec that is not really going to help you. If you go into your Device Manager, you can click on Network adapters and find the properties of your wireless card, but you are not going to find an antenna strength or range. Frankly, with problems like this you can't just look at some specs and say: "This add-on device will fix things and this one won't." I've fiddled with range extenders and antenna locations in a number of situations and sometimes things worked and sometimes they didn't. You just have to buy something and try it; maybe order something from Amazon so you can ship it back if it doesn't work. Below is a link to an article about signal strength issues and some related links.

Here is a link that might be useful: Signal strength
ravencajun Zone 8b TX
14 years ago
Look into getting a wireless repeater to extend your signal.
This page has helpful info.

Here is a link that might be useful: Repeater
mikie_gw
14 years ago
Here's a little review on a program that with your laptop walking around. you get some signal strength ideas.

Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.brighthub.com/computing/smb-security/articles/14508.aspx

Related Stories

KITCHEN DESIGN How to Find the Right Range for Your Kitchen

By KitchenLab Interiors

Range style is mostly a matter of personal taste. This full course of possibilities can help you find the right appliance to match yours

REMODELING GUIDES Tubular Daylighting Devices Bring In Natural Light

By Lindsey M. Roberts

More advanced and less pricey than traditional skylights, TDDs are the most modern way to let the light in

REMODELING GUIDES Where to Splurge, Where to Save in Your Remodel

By Laura Gaskill

Learn how to balance your budget and set priorities to get the home features you want with the least compromise

GARDENING GUIDES Designing With Conifers: Find the Perfect Fit for Your Landscape

Conifers range from fairy-garden size to 70 feet tall. Here’s how to decifer the plant tag for the perfect long-term fit in your garden

KITCHEN APPLIANCES Love to Cook? You Need a Fan. Find the Right Kind for You

By The Sky is the Limit Design

Don't send budget dollars up in smoke when you need new kitchen ventilation. Here are 9 top types to consider

KITCHEN APPLIANCES Find the Right Cooktop for Your Kitchen

By KitchenLab Interiors

For a kitchen setup with sizzle, deciding between gas and electric is only the first hurdle. This guide can help

HOME TECH To Feed and Protect: Care for Your Pet From Afar With New Devices

You might miss the nuzzles, but your dog or cat won't miss food, water or monitoring with these high-tech feeders and cameras

ACCESSORIES Easy Green: Cut Electricity Use With 15 Unplugged Home Devices

By Laura Gaskill

Crank up the energy savings, courtesy of household items that come into power the old-fashioned way: manually

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Landscaping Tricks to Manage Stormwater Runoff

By Mariana Pickering (Emu Building Science)

Help rainwater absorb slowly back into the earth with paving grids, gravel beds and other porous systems

THE ART OF ARCHITECTURE Materials Workshop: Channel Glass Finds Its Groove in Homes

By Eric Reinholdt, Architect

The commerical world already knew its benefits. Now channel glass is bringing diffused daylight, privacy and more to residences

Sponsored

More Discussions

Tired of MS Office 365 Monthly Fees?

1