How to boost a wireless network?

[Parm]

Hi,

I've recently setup our PC's at our new house on a wireless network.
My PC, is upstairs in the furthest corner of the house.
This PC connects to a Netgear DG834GT Wireless Router via ethernet cable.
The router is then connected to the ADSL socket in my bedroom, which is hooked up to a 1mb service from Pipex.

The other PC is downstairs in the study, in the opposite corner of the house.
This PC has a Netgear WG311T Wireless PCI Adapter which connects to the router via wireless.

The network setup went superbly, couldn't have been any easier. Netgear stuff has always been a dream for me to use. Internet works on both PC's, file sharing is easy as could be. Lovely jubbly.

The only downside, is the signal on the downstairs PC can be low. When I put the tower inside the desk, the signal basically dies. I think this is cause the antenna is on the rear of the machine.
When the PC is left out of the desk, the signal reaches 2-3 bars.
Is there anyway I could bring that Antenna out from behind the PC and put it on top of the desk or somewhere else?

Are there any other methods I should consider to boost the network signal?

Thanks,
Parm

[Norky]

Update firmware and drivers, especially on the router

Does the PCI card have a removeable antenna? If it does you can look into building a cantenna (http://www.turnpoint.net/wireless/cantennahowto.html) or something similar...

[scottyman]

even then - you should be able to unscrew the antenna, and simply replace it with a wall-mount unit instead

[ERU]

Have you got a decent firewall going?

[unrealrocks]

You shouldn't need a cantenna, thats directional anyhow ... you want simply a removable ariel.

If it has a removable ariel then you just need an extension cable so you can put it in the open ... http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/produ...duct_uid=77091

[Parm]

The extension cable seems to be spot on! I'm gonna order one of those as soon as I have a tenner to spare.

That firewall looks a bit thorough too!

[Matt1eD]

this may sound horrible and it depends on your desk. Cut a hole through the back of your desk so the antenna pokes out?