extending signal for a 1/4 mile on home network

[two-dogs]

I hope some one can help me here, I have a friend that is fighting cancer and gave him my laptop to play with.  I want to hook him up to my network and he is about a 1/4 mile away.  I have a clear shot from my house to his as we live in the country.  I built a parabolic antenna it is called a wiffy extreme google it you will see what I mean.  I tried to get that to work but all I get can't connect to  network, I get bars and I see my network but no go.  I also downloaded a program called easy wifi radar, but when I try and use it says that I need to hook up my wifi hardware.  My laptop is wifi ready do I still need an adapter?  When I go on a trip I take it and just use the wifi out of camp sites with no problem.  My computer is a Toshiba model is a Satellite A215..............anybody what to help me in my quest.............thanks.........two-dogs   

[drmsucks]

First part of this thread here: http://www.computerhope.com/forum/index.php?topic=59720.0

Can you connect to your router from your home with the laptop?

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

I guess my first suggestion would be to try and see if his laptop works when it's in your house.
Oh yeah, make sure you encrypt your wireless network otherwise your whole town can use your Internet 

[drmsucks]

I guess my first suggestion would be to try and see if his laptop works when it's in your house.

First part of this thread here: http://www.computerhope.com/forum/index.php?topic=59720.0

Can you connect to your router from your home with the laptop?

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

I guess my first suggestion would be to try and see if his laptop works when it's in your house.

First part of this thread here: http://www.computerhope.com/forum/index.php?topic=59720.0

Can you connect to your router from your home with the laptop?

make sure you encrypt your wireless network otherwise your whole town can use your Internet 

I did make a good and valid point. 

[drmsucks]

Especially the point that agreed with mine!

[hiloed]

It's possible but it will take antennas for the frequency  your wireless network uses and some work. Google wireless networking antennas and do some research. Also look around you neighborhood for some Ameteur Radio operators (HAMS) or CBers.for assistance, they are usually helpful and a nice bunch of men and women. It's worth it  and bless you for trying to help someone in need.

Good Luck and Alohas

Ed

[Dias de verano]

Just don't tell the FCC.

[two-dogs]

Hey guys in answer to your ? yes it works fine at home and it connects just fine no problem.  Now this is going to sound silly to you guys but I am a novice.  Is wifi the same as network that is if my computer is set up for wifi do I need an wifi adaptor to pick up free wifi.  I as this because after the wiffy extreme didn't work I tried to unsecure my network so I could pick it up with the easy wifi radar program but when I try and use it, it says No wifi hardware found please install adapter.  I thought that I have an a adapter since I can pick up wifi esle were.  Help clue me in on this if you can............thanks..........two-dogs     

[drmsucks]

If it works okay at your home:

Hey guys in answer to your ? yes it works fine at home and it connects just fine no problem.

It ought to work fine at his home given that the laptop receives a good enough signal:

   I get bars and I see my network but no go. 

I assume that the "bars" are signal strength bars.

If you've got signal and can see your network, you ought to be able to connect, just like at home.

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

This is getting awfully confusing....

If his laptop works in your home, it should work at his home, unless the signal is too low.
I bet the ping is over a few seconds...

[two-dogs]

That is the problem the signal strength is to low, now I have to boost the signal on my end.  With the wiffy antenna I get other networks, but I am not looking to hack into other networks just my own.  So how do I increase the signal on my end............thanks for your time guys...........two-dogs   

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

Glad you got it working.
I hope you set up some sort of password to the network, otherwise everyone within a 1/4 mile radius can use your internet. 

[two-dogs]

Just an update, my buddy is hooked up.  I built a wiffy antenna and just hooked it to the usb port on the laptop aimed it and wam we have a connection.  I had to use vistumbler because the netstumbler doesn't work with the vista operating system.............I want to thank everybody that helped me on this and if I can be of any help drop me a pm.............thanks again ........you guys are great.........two-dogs

[two-dogs]

If they use this setup it will reach for 5 miles I am picking up wifi from the next town over and it is about 5 miles from where I live.  I will try and password it and see if I can connect, I think I can because I see my network computers on the lat top............again thanks to all................two-dogs