Inspiron B120

You've asked several questions there, so I'll do my best

 

1) The same brand does not matter.  If you're trying to match, find out what chipset each device uses and match that.  Chipsets can vary across brand and sometimes ever across general model lines.  Again, matching is not necessary though I suppose all other things being equal that it's better.

 

2) Why do you want an express card if you have an internal wireless card?

 

3)  As for range, it depends.  How much are you trying to increase it by?  Describe your current situation.

well, some sort of powerline setup would work -- it's just a lot of equipment and cost.  you'd need the first powerline adapter to connect your router to your electric wiring.  you'd then need either a product like I linked to earlier (or you could buy another powerline to ethernet adapter and use it to wire a second standard wireless router up).

 

while i've never actually used one, there are products that will repeat a wireless signal.  in such a setup you would place the device in between the two locations (where you hopefully have signal now?) and hope it reaches the new area.  you could test this beforehand with your current wireless router if you wanted.  it's less equipment than the first option (and the equipment is cheaper and more common than the powerline options).  that said, it depends on whether such a midway point exists.

I am not sure what I need to do. We have a 100 year old home and the walls are all solid chestnut wood. I can't seem to get a very good signal at all. I can get a signal in our living room  and most of the downstairs area, but not the front porch area, or upstairs. I am fairly new to this wireless stuff and would be like to be able to get a signal farther away from router. Any help is appreciated. Thanks