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Originally Posted by loopyandandy
cheers matt thats a top answer!!
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No prob
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Originally Posted by loopyandandy
ill give the xp wizard a blast and see how i go (its not that importnat though - mainly wanted the internet connection)
so if i change the ssid and password, only the laptop will connect and not my neighbours for example?? i thought i had to assign ip addresses and the like? or am i mixed up on that one??
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No need to assign IP addresses. The router's DHCP server should be on by default, ready to dish out IP addresses, while the connections on the computers should already be set to obtain IP automatically, so will get IPs from the router.
SSID, password, encryption -
The SSID must be changed, so that you have a nice unique name, so you won't connect to someone else's accidentally, & vice versa. Also means you're not giving away the make of your router for all to see (& exploit). You can also set the SSID to be hidden (not broadcast), but sometimes that can cause connection problems, so I wouldn't bother (you're fine if you change the password & SSID, & turn on the encryption).
The encryption must be turned on, so that no-one else can connect to your router & use your broadband connection, or get onto your actual local network & see any shares you have, etc.
The password must be changed, so that if someone did get on your network (which they could do if there was no encryption turned on), they wouldn't be able to log onto your router themselves using the default password & then lock you out of your own router.
You really should change the SSID & admin password, & enable WPA-PSK, as soon as possible.
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Originally Posted by loopyandandy
also i have a psp which is wifi enabled, after following its setup procedure it couldnt find ssid? dunno why? maybe it will once i change the name via the router |
Sorry, no idea - don't have a PSP.
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Originally Posted by loopyandandy
I have to say as well that for some reason the router is only connecting at 54mbps and it says on the box 108mbps (i bought specifically for the online gaming). Is this an option i have to turn on? or is it just that its not available if my laptop has a 54mbps card (dont know what it is).
I do have a usb dongle for the netgear i could set up on the laptop?
Not that im too bothered as the online gaming is absolutely brilliant, even when both pcs are playing it there is no drop in speed etc (and we are still on 1meg till thursday! ) |
108mbps wireless is a proprietary system, rather than a standard like 54mbps.
To connect at 108mbps, every wireless device would have to support it.
So, you would need to use the specific Netgear USB dongle for the laptop, assuming it does do 108mbps, in place of the laptop's own built-in wireless, if you wanted to connect at 108mbps.
But I don't think you would really need to - no need for a 108mbps wireless connection if your actual internet connection is only 2mbps. Even taking into account not always getting a perfect full speed 54mbps connection between computer & router it'll still be faster than necessary, as you've found. 108mbps would be good if you did a lot of file transfers between the computers & found 54mbps too slow.
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Originally Posted by loopyandandy
the net generaly seems a lot faster and smoother when surfing - is it possible that the netgear router is working better than the tesco modem??
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Yeah, maybe. Could be better than the cheapo stuff you get free.
Main reason is probably 'cos the router/modem connects to the desktop PC via ethernet, whereas the old modem would've connected via USB, which can seem slower & uses more resources.