How to Hook Up an Antenna to a Wi-Fi Card in a Compaq Laptop
Many modern businesses depend on Internet access for productivity. If laptops in a business environment are getting weak or intermittent Wi-Fi signals, productivity may be hindered. One possible solution to improving the wireless signals received by laptops is to connect a Wi-Fi antenna to the laptop's wireless card. Oftentimes, Wi-Fi antennas will be less expensive than wireless repeaters -- another method of increasing a wireless signal throughout an area -- which is better for your company's bottom line.
Attaching Directly to Computer
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1.
Determine which type of wireless card is installed on your computer. The most common wireless cards that aren't built in to laptops are PCMCIA and mini PCIe cards. If you have a PCMCIA card, skip to Section 2. If you have a mini PCIe card, continue to Step 2.
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2.
Purchase a wireless network antenna that attaches to your mini PCIe connector. This is usually a radio frequency connector that looks similar to the connector used for cable TV.
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3.
Screw the antenna on to the PCI connection port.
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4.
Click the Windows "Start" button| Control Panel | Network and Internet | Connect to a Network."
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5.
Choose the network you want to connect to and click "Connect." Your wireless antenna should now be boosting your Wi-Fi signal.
Adding USB Adapter
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1.
Insert the USB antenna into the USB port of your computer.
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2.
Download and install any drivers, if necessary. If you see a notification appear, asking you to download drivers for the device, follow the on-screen prompts to do so.
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3.
Insert the software CD that came with the device, if necessary, and follow the prompts to install the antenna's software.
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4.
Click the Windows "Start" button | Control Panel | Network and Internet | Connect to a Network.
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5.
Choose the network you want to connect to and click "connect." Your wireless antenna should now be boosting your Wi-Fi signal.
Tips
- Adding a USB adapter is convenient for computers that don't have mini PCIe slots or computers that have built-in Wi-Fi cards.
- Point the antenna toward your wireless router for an optimal signal.
Warnings
- Depending on the size of your building, wireless repeaters may be necessary. If you only have one Wi-Fi router and you have a large office space, such as several floors in a skyscraper, repeaters or separate routers may be required to maintain optimum wireless signals.
Writer Bio
Thomas McNish has been writing since 2005, contributing to Salon.com and other online publications. He is working toward his Associate of Science in computer information technology from Hillsborough Community College in Tampa, Fla.