What to buy to plug into my PC to go with Linksys WRT 54GS UK router

katies mum · 16-03-2007, 00:31

Hi everyone, I`m new on here.

I have been reading and reading all your postings for hours and think I am going to buy a Linksys WRT 54GS UK router with speed booster. I am going onto Virgin BB 2mb for the first time on the 4th April. (currently on AOL dial up - I`m a bit sad but been frightened to make the move).

A couple of questions please - I have read that I need to get something to plug into my computer which is situated upstairs from the router and modem, some of you mention about a speedbooster PCI card !!!! help and others mention a speedbooster USB card!!!! again help. Which one would I need to get as not really sure what they are (a friend mentioned a dongle is one of these a dongle?) I am quite a novice at all this as you have most probably realised. Also where is the best place to buy these from.

Also do you think I would be able to set this up myself or will I need a ``man`` to do it for me. (I can build flat packs!! so can follow instructions but am not very technical)

The other type of router I was looking at was one of the Netgear WPN 824 Range Max Mimo-G.

Was really looking forward to getting on BB but after reading some of the postings about the problems etc with routers, setting up and connections am a bit worried. AOL dial up might be very, very slow but is has been very reliable for me.

All help and advice will be very much appreciated. Hope this makes sense.

Thank you.

Gareth · 16-03-2007, 01:21

Hi Katie's Mum,

The Linksys is a great router, you won't go far wrong with it - I've got one myself (WRT54GL as opposed to the Speedbooster one).

You're right in that you'll need something to plug-in to your PC that enables it to "talk" to the wireless router... this is commonly referred to as a Network Interface Card, or NIC for short. You're also right that there are 2 types - at least for a desktop PC... there's a different one specifically for laptops, but I'm assuming your PC is a desktop one. These are, as you already know, the PCI and the USB variants.

There are a couple of technical differences between the 2 which make the PCI version a better choice than the USB one, but I wouldn't worry too much about that. Instead, what's probably going to be more important for you, at least at this stage, is that the USB NIC is an external device that you just plug-in to a USB socket on your PC... and you're finished. The PCI version, however, is an internal device, so you'd need to take the case off your PC, slot the PCI NIC into a PCI socket on the motherboard of your PC, and replace the case. It's not difficult at all - it's a 5 minute job at most, however, I realise that you might not want to go installing cards to your PC, in which case, the USB version is much, much easier to do.

From reading your post, one thing you should be aware of, however, is that you're going to need to take the PC downstairs once and position it near where the wireless router will be situated (which will be next to where your cable modem will be installed). This is because you will need to configure the wireless router the 1st time you switch it on, but you can't do this wireless-ly - you need to use a network cable that will be provided with the wireless router. This will plug-in to the back of your PC... most modern PCs have a network card built-in to the motherboard, you should see one on the back of the PC that looks slightly bigger than the socket you're using for your dial-up modem.

The instructions on the wireless router will explain exactly what you need to do to set it up so you can connect via wireless, so just follow those. In fact, the Linksys routers also have an application you can download which will automagically configure the router for you.

Once you've done this, your next step will be to think about securing your wireless connection to stop anyone else connecting to it... but we'll leave that for another thread for now

If you can follow flat-pack instructions then you'll find installing and configuring a wireless router to be an absolute walk in the park

katies mum · 16-03-2007, 08:08

OMG, thank you so much for the advice...... help!!!

Wasn`t aware I would have to move the PC downstairs, (no one seems to have mentioned that in their postings!) can I ask does that just meant the tower thingie or screen and keyboard as well. Just thought it would be easier than that.

Thanks for the explanation about the USB and the card that goes inside (think I`ll give that one a miss!!) please can someone advise me on which USB with speedbooster to get - might as well get the right stuff first time round.

My computer is a Dell Dimension 5150 had it about 16 mths. The reason I want a wireless router is because I don`t want Virgin to run a cable round 3 walls of my house and also hope to get a laptop later in the year and get my daughter one for Xmas.

I am getting a bit worried that this will be a really big job. If I get stuck what is the best way to find an expert to help! last time I got a computer engineer out he managed to write off my computer and all I needed was a new screen.

Thanks all, every bit of help and advice will be really, really appreciated.

Graham M · 16-03-2007, 08:58

You could take the Router upstairs and plug it in for the initial configuration bit I'm sure? OR you could buy a long Ethernet Cable but you're only going to use it once.

katies mum · 16-03-2007, 10:20

Thanks, maybe I could borrow one!!

Next question please - where is the best place to buy this router from to make sure I get the right speedbooster USB card! When looking in Currys etc they had the router but were happy to sell my any `dongle`. Which until I found you guys would have bought, so thanks. Also can anyone give me the right model number of the USB thingie.

Many thanks.

PS has anyone got the Netgear WPN 824 Range Max Mimo G (it just looks a little neater than the Linkseys) its a woman thing.

Delta Whiskey · 16-03-2007, 13:51

katies mum said "Next question please - where is the best place to buy this router from to make sure I get the right speedbooster USB card!"

Amazon stock both the PCI and USB varieties. If you're not comfortable opening and installing a card into the computer the USB is the one to go for.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Linksys-WUSB...052760&sr=8-10

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wireless-G-P...052760&sr=8-10

DW

katies mum · 16-03-2007, 20:24

Thanks Delta Whiskey, much appreciated.

16-03-2007, 20:49

Welcome!

I too have Linksys routers - great reliable devices!

BTW - You have a private message waiting for you!

handyman · 16-03-2007, 21:00

you will not have to take your pc downstairs at all. Simply plug in the router and configure the wireless bit on your pc. Follow the instructions and go to 192.168.1.1 or the address mentioned in the instructions and you will be able to set everything up from there.

I've had linksys, belkin , dlink and netgear routers and the linksys one worked the best so you are choosing the best.

Gareth · 17-03-2007, 15:33

Hmm, yeah, fair enough... didn't think of just taking the router upstairs

But it was late when I posted that

However, as this is the 1st time she's having NTL, something will need to be plugged in downstairs for accessing the provisioning page. Don't remember the installer having a lappy when I had mine installed or when we moved house, otherwise could always ask to borrow that

katies mum · 17-03-2007, 18:27

HI,

Thank you all so much for the info and advice. I have definitely decided to get the Linksys WRT54GSUK and the WUSB54GS Wireless 125MBPS USB adapter with Speedbooster. Have found them on the PC World website at ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£41 for the router and ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£33.95 for the other bit. I can order then online for collection and payment in the shop (at the web price) so am going to do that as I would like to have them in my hand!!!

I also have a `man` to come and install it for me on 5th April. So I am now quite happy and would like to get rid of this AOL asap as it is on a real go slow today.

Might be a silly question but my AOL payment goes out on 5th of the month, any idea how much notice I might have to give (been with them for years). or shall I cancel the DD and ring them a few days before!! its all a bit new to me.

Thanks again. (will most probably have loads of questions once its installed!)

17-03-2007, 18:29

you pay in advance with aol so you dont want that payment being made on the 5th of april so call em and tell em then cancel your DD on the 4th and stuff em

pedantic · 17-03-2007, 19:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by katies mum

Might be a silly question but my AOL payment goes out on 5th of the month, any idea how much notice I might have to give (been with them for years). or shall I cancel the DD and ring them a few days before!! its all a bit new to me.

Phone their support 0870 320 2020 and ask for a MAC code, you then have 30 days to migrate to another ISP. I'm not sure about notice, but it's probably 30 days. Alternatively, try posting here for more advice, there have been many people migrating recently, you will get good advice on what to do.

EDIT scrap that, I just re-read your first post.

You can still use the support number I provided though, to cancel the service.

katies mum · 18-03-2007, 16:58

Hi,

pedantic sorry not sure what you mean - I know you said scrap what you said, but what is a migrate code!!!!! will I need one. Help I`m a bit confused now, thought I had it all sorted.

More help please...

pedantic · 18-03-2007, 17:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by katies mum

Hi,

pedantic sorry not sure what you mean - I know you said scrap what you said, but what is a migrate code!!!!! will I need one. Help I`m a bit confused now, thought I had it all sorted.

More help please...

I didn't read your first post correctly, I thought you were already on broadband with AOL. As it turns out, you're on dial up, so migrating doesn't apply to you. If you phone the support number I gave, they should be able to cancel your account. Or at least transfer you to the relevant department.