Antenna-free wifi card

Hello,

You don't necessarily need an antenna to improve Wi-Fi.
However, is your Freebox plugged into an extension cord or a power strip?

Thank you for your very quick response!
My Freebox is connected to an extension cord, but as I said, the Wi-Fi works very well on my laptop (there are 2 walls between my laptop and the Freebox) and the desktop doesn't connect even though it's 50cm away from the Freebox... :(

on a a multi :D

You're welcome, juju59. We are happy to help if we can.

The mere fact that the Freebox is connected to an extension cord cuts the reception for external devices (especially external USB Wi-Fi keys) in half, unlike integrated devices (like a laptop already compatible with Wi-Fi).
This is why it occasionally crashes and the reception is poor on the fixed connection while it's fine on the laptop despite the different distances.

Another explanation could be that the key is too old or simply not powerful enough (this can be the case with unbranded keys, for instance).

Otherwise, if you plug the key into the front of your tower (thus using USB 1.0 power) instead of the back of the tower (using much faster USB 2.0), it can affect the Wi-Fi signal reception level.

What about you on all these criteria?

I think we misunderstood each other... Actually, in my desktop, there is a Wi-Fi card but there is nothing on the gold connector (I deduced it was the connector for the antennas). I can't understand why my laptop (which is very far away) connects excellently, while my desktop, which is so close to the Freebox (and that I want to move upstairs but it's not going well), struggles so much!
I just noticed that I've been connected to Wi-Fi for 40 minutes on my desktop, but as soon as I go on the web, it disconnects... :(
Me who thought it would be smooth sailing :s

(In short, I don't have a key. Would it work better with a USB Wi-Fi key?)

Oh, okay! My bad! Indeed, in this situation, you would need compatible antennas. Didn't you have any supplied by default?

And otherwise, yes, it would work better with a Netgear USB key or something similar :)

I’m not really sure if I had any provided by default or not. I’ve had the PC for 3 years and since I didn’t have Wi-Fi, I didn’t really pay attention.
I just have one last question: in terms of quality/price, is it better to buy a Netgear dongle or to buy antennas (knowing that the Wi-Fi card is called “HP 800 wireless card…”) ? And is it certain that it will work better?
Thanks again for all these answers, it's really kind!
Kisses
Ju

The simplest and fastest option is undoubtedly to buy a USB key.
These days, it’s not expensive at all if you’re willing to invest around ten to twenty euros.
The problem with antennas is that what you have is already several years old and Wi-Fi has evolved a lot since then.
Between us, I think it will be cheaper for you to buy a USB key. It will save you time, speed, and especially signal strength ;-)

Here are some suitable links for this kind of purchase:

- https://www.topachat.com/pages/produits_cat_est_reseau_puis_rubrique_est_wt_wusb.html
- https://www.ldlc.com
- https://www.cdiscount.com/informatique/materiel-reseau-wifi-internet-bluetooth/wifi-reseau-bluetooth/reseau-wifi/adaptateur-cle-usb-wifi/l-10715121301.html

Otherwise, you can find them in stores as well. There are several types. But if you can favor Netgear, Belkin, Hercules, D-Link, and other well-known brands (Sagem, Philips, HP, etc.), don’t hesitate.
[What you absolutely need is a standard 802.11 b+g, ideally 802.11 b/g/n since it’s the most recent]

I hope I’ve guided you well and thank you for this exchange :)
Don’t hesitate to contact me if needed.

Best regards,
Lacide.

In case you haven't noticed, she is already aware that she just lacks the antennas. It's just that she doesn't have them. It would definitely be more insightful to point her to links or places where she could get the antennas in question in order to support the options we can offer her and give her the opportunity to choose for herself what would be less expensive and more practical to buy and install...