Slow laptop speed

[denis567]

I entered a post last week mentioning that my laptop had suddenly started running VERY slow. (Acer 5315, Vista, wireless connection)
Today I have discovered that if I am in the same room as the router, there is no problem. I usually use it upstairs in the bedroom, which is the furthest point in the house from the router.
Is there any way I can boost the output from the router?

[ChuckFickens]

you can get wireless range extenders, they work but are fairly expensive (for a decent one)... you best bet is to try and move the wireless router to a more central location.

[denis567]

Thanks ChuckFickens. I shall have to look at the possibility of getting an extender as the telephone comes into the house at the opposite end to the bedroom. Am I right in assuming the router has to be located near to where the telephone line enters the property?
Denis

[ChuckFickens]

No it can be on a decent extension lead

[denis567]

Thanks again. We are in the middle of some extension work, so when that is completed I will see if I can reposition the router.

[wideboy]

I had a similar problem recently when fixing a friend's laptop. My router (BT Home Hub) puts out a signal that I've never had a problem connecting to from anywhere in the house. This has been done with several laptops and the Netbook that I'm using just now, but this friend's laptop wouldn't connect unless I went into the room with the router (and close to it as well!). This was weird, I then looked at the configuration settings for his wireless card and found that there was an option to optimise for distance. I changed to this and it then worked like all others.