Korean Job Discussion Forums

is so delicious · Joined: 28 Apr 2009

Maybe a dumb question, but do nicer/more expensive laptops work better at locating/using wifi signals?

For the past few months I've been using my neighbor's signal (with her permission, for the record) with my macbook. It's weird... the signal sometimes won't show up for several minutes when I start my computer in my apartment, but then when it comes, it works great. Lightning fast, I can stream live sports, etc. Also, sometimes it won't show up in my apartment, but I'll go down outside her door, the signal will show up, then go back up to my apartment and it'll work fine.

Anyway laptop broke. Got a cheaper HP laptop. The signal is nowhere to be found. Not in my apartment, not outside her door.

I don't get it. The signal is strong enough to reach my macbook, but not this laptop?? Even when I'm like ten feet from her wifi box??

I haven't used Windows in a while, but I notice that there are a few new networks that show up when I go near her door... just not the one I can use (of course). One of them just says "other network", says the signal is excellent, but of course it says I can't connect when I try to.

This doesn't add up. Why would it work on one laptop, totally fast and perfect, then not enough show up on another?

Lastly, if someone comes over and makes this work for me, no matter how easy or fast it is, I'll pay 50,000.

sml7285 · Joined: 26 Apr 2012

KimchiNinja · Joined: 01 May 2012 Location: Gangnam

When I came here my US iPhone was super buggy connecting to Korean wifi, got a KR iPhone (which should be the same right?) and it worked perfectly. My business friends who visit seem to have trouble getting their devices to connect to KR wifi too. Anyhow I'm not "a techy" so could be entirely wrong about everything...

maximmm · Joined: 01 Feb 2008

That's correct - different laptops, different quality of wifi receivers.
If you are desperate, I suggest buying a quality usb wireless adapter - they are not that expensive.

Here is just one example - http://www.amazon.com/Bolse%C2%AE-Designed-300Mbps-Wireless-N-Adapter/dp/B00HZYXHJU/ref=sr_1_8?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1402221349&sr=1-8&keywords=usb+receiver+wireless

PS. I'm not saying that this adapter has a high range, you'll have to research which one is best on your own.

maximmm · Joined: 01 Feb 2008

http://www.amazon.com/ALFA-Network-AWUS036H-Wireless-802-11g/dp/B000WXSO76
http://www.amazon.com/Etekcity-Wireless-Network-Adapter-RTL8187L/dp/B008B6TFUG

Here are a few that have high range.

tatertot · Joined: 21 Oct 2008

Based on what you describe, it is likely that her wifi network isn't supported by your computer. Unless the replacement HP laptop is really old, I would venture that she's using 5GHz 802.11n and your computer doesn't support that. If your HP laptop is really old, it might not even support 2.4GHz 802.11n. Any recently purchased computer should support 2.4GHz 802.11n, and most would support 5GHz 802.11n, too.

maximmm · Joined: 01 Feb 2008

Re-read the initial post. If it doesn't even pick it up 10 feet or closer (like - right next to it) then obviously range is not an issue and compatibility is the culprit. Once again, a compatible usb wireless adapter should be able to solve this issue.

is so delicious · Joined: 28 Apr 2009

Thanks for the help, guys. Not that I understood most of it... ha ha.

Anyway... yeah. Sucks. Never occurred to me that a new, less expensive computer wouldn't pick up the wifi signal that worked absolutely flawlessly on my phone and former computer and that I pay my neighbor 5,000 a day for.

Anyway gonna copy down some of this jargon and see if the guy will help me.

Oh, and:

http://seoul.craigslist.co.kr/sys/4511300040.html

Last question... if I buy a new Macbook, can I expect it will find this signal (my last computer was a 2009 Macbook).

maximmm · Joined: 01 Feb 2008

Why would you ever pay 5K won a day for a wifi signal?!

You do realize that it's possible to get a much faster landline for a lot cheaper, right? You can even set up your own wifi.

sml7285 · Joined: 26 Apr 2012

is so delicious · Joined: 28 Apr 2009

SeoulNate · Joined: 04 Jun 2010 Location: Hyehwa

buy her a new router, one that works with your new computer. should fix the issue.

Edit - forgot to add, did you check and make sure that the router is making an exception for your new laptop? She may be blocking all new connections inadvertently. This can be checked by going to the router setup page, or, if she doesnt actually have any settings/passwords to speak up, try resetting the router (not just rebooting it, actually resetting it to factory default) - this can often be done (depending on model) with a pin (there will be a small button/hole in the back/bottom somewhere)

tatertot · Joined: 21 Oct 2008

You also want to check that it isn't just a hidden SSID. You can try to connect to a hidden/other network and type in the SSID manually. After you do that, your computer should remember it and connect automatically.

cadurling · Joined: 16 Oct 2007

You can also specify in your router settings to accept different frequencies, if that's the prob. If it's set to just an N signal and your lappy doesn't support it you won't be able to connect.

Also it could be you have an f'ed wifi card, easiest way to test is get a wifi dongle and see if you can connect.