wireless networking - Increased wifi router signal is enough to ensure connection?

I have this question and haven't found an answer in other questions.

Say there's a place in my house where I currently get none or a very poor signal. If I somehow managed to increase the strength of it (changing the router, using other firmware, etc.), would my notebook or phone be able to use that connection?

I might be very wrong, but I am thinking it would solve just half of the problem, since any device using that connection would have to "speak back" to the access point, and since the device signal strength hasn't been improved, it wouldn't be able to do it due to the obstacles that previously made it get a low signal.

Answer

You are right about the problem, but there are still steps that you can take.

The easiest way to increase the router's signal is to pass to channel 11, which is the strongest. Changing the channel might also solve the problem if there is interference in that part of the house coming from your neighbor's router, but not if the problem comes from walls or an electrical appliance.

See the following article for some solutions: 10 tips for improving your wireless network

1. Position your wireless router (or wireless access point) in a central location


2. Move the router off the floor and away from walls and metal objects (such as metal file cabinets)


3. Replace your router's antenna


4. Replace your computer's wireless network adapter


5. Add a wireless repeater


6. Change your wireless channel


7. Reduce wireless interference


8. Update your firmware or your network adapter driver


9. Pick equipment from a single vendor


10. Upgrade 802.11b devices to 802.11g

For more detail helping to decide which tip to apply, please read the article.