Wi-Fi signals can be weakened by walls, floors and doors. If you are using your computer some distance from the transmitter, you can lose your connection.

By making sure your Wi-Fi transmitter is positioned well you can maximise the area where you'll be able to pick up the signal.

So you won't lose your connection when you go to the kitchen ready to search that favourite recipe site.

Obstacles

If you use your laptop in the garden you might find that you can't get a good broadband signal even though you are less than 100 meters from the transmitter.

This is because the outside wall of your house is blocking the signal. You might find that moving just a little closer fixes the problem.

If it does, it might mean the antenna inside your laptop needs a little help.

Connections

If you are using a PCMCIA Wi-Fi card, look out for a small extra socket on the outside edge of the card. This might be called an 'SMA jack'. It allows you to add an extra antenna to improve the range.

Otherwise USB Wi-Fi adaptors which plug into a spare USB port will give much better reception than a built-in type.

Finally, if you are thinking of buying a Wi-Fi transmitter or adaptor make sure it's the latest type (currently 108 Mbps) as newer models have a much better range.

SOURCE  http://www.bbc.co.uk