Is there anyway I can make my built in wifi connection stronger.

[sadelb]

I work in a hotel with wireless internet. My laptop connects to the internet but the signal is very weak. I was wondering if there was a way I can make my wifi connection stronger in my laptop...My wifi is built in....Is there an antenna I can get or a wifi card, or maybe something I can change within the computers settings to make my signal stronger? I want to also make sure that anything I get doesnt interfere with my wireless connection at home....Thanks

ps... I have an averatec 3250 laptop

[Igor_fr]

You can boost your signal with a PCMCIA wireless card, that has an antenna connector

[sadelb]

thanks, does it matter what company the card is. For example, if it is a linksys card will it only work with a linksys router? I need something that is universal and will work with pretty much any router. Thanks

[Philosopher]

no...any wireless card will work with any wireless router provided they are using the same wireless protocol (802.11 b/a/g/etc.).

In other words (the above sounded kind of convoluted)

If your wireless router is 802.11g then any 802.11g card will work with it as well as most 802.11b's although you don't really want to mix protocols if you don't have to.

[sadelb]

thanks... I will get that wireless card and check it out... should I get an antenna with it?

[sadelb]

which one of these would be most sufficient for me? It has to be able to connect to all routers. Thanks

[tigerdirect.com...]

[Igor_fr]

Like Philosopher said, you don't have to worry about compatibi lity with your router, as long as it supports the same protocols.
About your card, I would go for a Linksys (a Cisco's division ith more affordable products), or D-Link.
a nice how-to on the subject:-http://www.tomsnetworking.com/2004/02/28/how_to_wlan_collide/

[sadelb]

thanks for your help everyone