configuring Linksys router properly

[ambertape]

Hi,

On my second floor front part of my house I have a Dlink-615N+ router connected to my cable modem. I took off the original antennas and put on them one 7 dbi Dlink antenna and one 9 dbi rubber pucky antenna. It works fine near my computer. In my basement which is in the back of my house without another router I can pick up a signal but the signal strength is about 25% of upstairs. Originally I used a Linksys WRT54GL router before buying the Dlink and I replaced the original antennas with 2-9 dbi rubber pucky antennas. I installed on the Linksys the Tomato 1.19 firmware and set transmission to 84mw. I believe both the Linksys and Dlink output the same signal strength but I was experimenting. When I have the Linksys router on the first floor or near my laptop in the basement, I get a very strong signal but I can't go on the Internet in the basement. How can I configure the Linksys to be on line. I have the setup as AP+WDS.

Please guide me in setting up the Linksys router so I can use my laptop to go on the Internet with the same signal strength as upstairs on my laptop.

Thanks.

[747simpilot]

Don't have Tomato I use DD-WRT. But the power setting could be higher. It says that heat could have an impact on life. I wouldn't worry about it. Unless you want to go in a add a heat sink and maybe a fan.. Before I flashed the router the default was around 80 mW. That didn't cut it for me so I increased that to 150. UP the wattage to at least 150 mW's. In my settings there is an option which reads, "Sensitivity Range (ACK Timing)" Mine is 40 sense that is about the range I need throughout the house when I do use the laptop.


Are you using encryption? If so, you must make sure the laptop's WIFI settings are correct. Like WPA2 Pre-shared key mixed or maybe your laptop can't use WPA2 or WPA for that matter. Then there's the Algorithm, TKIP+AES, AES, or TKIP?

AP+WDS?? Just AP! Unless you are using two routers, then you would have to configure the WDS accordingly.