Boosting your WiFi signal

[Exascot]

Many thanks I am downloading the former now. I will let you know. As I say I was offered a fix (update) but it didn't work.

Yes I have taken off the duff one.

OK I did that, still no joy. I will try your second option tomorrow. Thank you again for you assistance.

Sorry, missed your question yes definitely 8187. I checked the original installation disk.

[hellsbrink]

Silly thought, exascot, but have you tried installing the driver in "compatibility mode"? Basically, you tell it that you're running Vista and it may work (suggesting this because doing that has worked for me in the past when W7 drivers were not available).


Of course, sometimes the Vista driver itself works fine too......

[Exascot]

Guys, thanks awfully for your help. I have now had a reply from the company a 'Fred' in China. He suggested that latter beta version as suggested by Bushfiva:

"RTL8187L Windows7 InstallPackage (Beta) version 1316(Beta)"

It still doesn't work.

I am reluctant to try a compatability mode. I am not that good with these things and with a band new computer I don't want to mess it up.

Another colleague has suggested that that the software on their site only works in the USA or Asia.

I have gone back to them and asked this question. Perhaps 'Fred' will come up with another solution.

In the meantime I have to keep working in the taverna above the office.

All other suggestions welcome. My bar bill is running up

Thanks again.

Kind regards.

EA

[Bushfiva]

No, that's worldwide software. Is this an external dongle, in which case can you read a part number or anything off it?

You say you're "boosting". This means you have an external antenna plugged into a jack on the computer somewhere? If it's a new notebook and you're using internal wifi, then perhaps you can tell us the model number. Since it's a new notebook, I assume it's got internal wifi and you say you're possibly using a wifi dongle too. So you've got two wifi sources in there?

[Exascot]

Thanks again for continuing assistance. I must say that 'Fred' is being very helpful. Yes he says it should work worldwide. I then noticed this morning when looking at the spec that the software is 32 bit my laptop is 64. I put this to him he came back very quickly and said it should still work. So it must be the set up. I am not that technically minded I was trying it on the default setting. I obviously need to change something. I have just put this to him.

I am using a 'high power realtek 8187l usb adaptor external antenna' if you put this into Google there is a PDF file on the unit.

My new machine is a Toshiba Satellite LG 655-1GL.

My last laptop had internal WIFI as well and this system worked with it. This was VISTA. I had a software disc provided with the realtek gadget for VISTA. It worked straight away.

Thanks again.

[le Pingouin]

A 64-bit operating system definitely requires 64-bit drivers. That said the packages from the Realtek site would appear to contain both 32- & 64-bit drivers.

[Bushfiva]

OK, the driver called "UI Package and Driver (Support XP/Vista/Win7)11222010/1/2514684k
"
found here should work for you.

Since it doesn'ｔ, I'd like to recap:

Does the driver install? If not, I'm stuck.

If you can't connect from your room but you can connect from the bar, there's a signal issue. Can you move and/or rotate the wireless hub, even if only a small amount? Does it make any difference? If not, continue.

Would you be comfortable downloading software that will tell you the signal strength of all sites in the area, in case you need to change wireless channel?

[Mike-Bracknell]

One other suggestion - if you can see but not connect to the wireless, have you checked whether your wifi card is set for UK/European operation, as it could be that the AP is on channels 12 or 13 (which are outlawed in the US).

[Exascot]

Does the driver install? If not, I'm stuck.

If you can't connect from your room but you can connect from the bar, there's a signal issue. Can you move and/or rotate the wireless hub, even if only a small amount? Does it make any difference? If not, continue.

The drive installs and says that it is working correctly.

The issue with the office is that it is half underground with a high window which is where my antenna is located. The source is on the roof of the building. If I stand on a chair and stick the laptop out of the window it works without the booster. However I find it easier and safer to work in the pub!

The card works OK here.

Thanks yet again everyone. It's a mystery - probably a very easy fix - we will see.

[Bushfiva]

This is not a driver problem.

[Exascot]

I think it's a settings problem