Help with Wireless Connection needed

[Marge]

Father Christmas is bringing me a laptop next week and I want to have this as a wireless connection. Haven't got a clue what to do though

Currently run XP Pro on my pc and have 600k connection through STB using NIC card.

What do I need to buy and then what do I need to do???

Any ideas/suggestions greatly received - fanx

[Indians]

You need some way of networking the 2 PC's together, so, I would go for a 'Wireless' router (most also include wired connections), this will go between the STB and your existing PC (using a wired connection), then use the laptop to connect 'wirelessly' to the routers wireless part. Get the 'wired' part up and running first, then attempt the wireless stuff.
You will need some form of wireless connection on the Laptop, some come with it built in (it's NOT Bluetooth BTW, that's different), otherwise buy a PCMCIA Cardbus adapter. I'm sure others will suggest some 'kit' to buy, I can offer my recommendations if needed.

[trebor]

you need a wireless router and pcmcia card for the laptop if it has not got wireless built in.
do some research here
http://www.usr-emea.com/products/p-n...u.asp?loc=unkg

[Marge]

Originally Posted by trebor

you need a wireless router and pcmcia card for the laptop if it has not got wireless built in.
do some research here
http://www.usr-emea.com/products/p-n...u.asp?loc=unkg

OK, that made no sense at all dongles and dangles

Think I'll have to bribe someone to do it for me

[KingPhoenix]

well she doesnt need a wireless router,

Debsy,

The laptop may have a wireless card in it..... if not then the laptop has am expansion port called a pcmcia port... it doesnt relly mean anything other than an expansion port on a laptop (enables you to plug lots of different devices into)

If the laptop doesnt have a wireless card built in, you will need to buy a pcmica wireless card, they are around £30 - £60 depending on what speed what you want etc.... you then need a wirelless card for your desktop PC, again around £30 - £60 depending on the card itself. Then use internet connection sharing (built into all windows)

But you would be better off buying a router if you want to use the laptop without needing the pc on (or anything like that)

Do you know what model latop santa has gotya???

HTH

[Indians]

this link might be usefull background to networking http://www.netgear.com/education/mentor/0container.htm there are also some other good guides on the Netgear site.....http://www.netgear.com

[Marge]

Not 100% sure, buying it off a chap at work but cos I am in work tomorrow and all of next week wanted to try and sort stuff out before I got it, so I could just plug in and go. Think I'll just have to be patient and wait till I get it and then holler for help, looks like I've peaked too early

[Indians]

Originally Posted by KingPhoenix

well she doesnt need a wireless router,

.................................................. .......

But you would be better off buying a router if you want to use the laptop without needing the pc on (or anything like that)

Which would be a wireless router !

I know what your saying KingPhoenix, but, as you were intimating, a more flexible solution, at not much more cost, would be the router route (looks like too many route's in there !),

As you've gathered Debsy42 you need to buy some extra kit, set it up etc. and I'm sure one or two others on here will advise on which kit, best way to set it up etc.

[Cyrill666]

Hello,

I'm keen to go the wireless router route (!?!) at home, any kit recommendations would be gratefully received.

I have a Terajet connected to my desktop via Ethernet, and my Laptop (Inspiron 5100) connected to the desktop via crossover ethernet.

(sorry for hijacking your thread Debsy42)

Hope you all had a good Christmas

Kind regards,
Cyrill666

[Marge]

Ok, got my laptop now, in fact sat in bed messing about with it but still no wiser as to the wireless route. Does my main pc have to be on for the laptop to get a connection ?? I don't really want it to be as it's quite noisy

[Sociable]

Originally Posted by Debsy42

Ok, got my laptop now, in fact sat in bed messing about with it but still no wiser as to the wireless route. Does my main pc have to be on for the laptop to get a connection ?? I don't really want it to be as it's quite noisy

Answer to that is no but ony if you are using a Router as this will be providing the connection to the Net rather than the main PC.

The Main PC only needs to be on if you are using Connection sharing via the Main PC.

EDIT:

Short term you can just plug the cable that usually goes to the PC from the modem into the laptop but you will need to reboot the modem so it ties itself to the card on that rather than the PC then repeat that process when reconnecting the main PC when you want to use that.

Hope that makes sense it's getting late LOL

[Marge]

Sorry I didn't make myself clear, I have registered the laptop for Broadband and have currently got the cable from the STB plugged in but want it to be a wireless conx. I think I'm over excited

[Sociable]

Originally Posted by Debsy42

Sorry I didn't make myself clear, I have registered the laptop for Broadband and have currently got the cable from the STB plugged in but want it to be a wireless conx. I think I'm over excited

OK gotcha now.

You will need to buy a wireless router which will be fed from the STB.

The laptop and any other PC's can then get their connection by adding a wireless network device to receive the signal from the router.

In that case no wires and no need for main PC to be on for the laptop to be connected.

Other advantage is that within reason the laptop will be able to connect anywhere in the house not just tucked up in bed so you will be able to surf while sitting by your olympic sized pool in the garden too.

[Cyrill666]

Hello,

I'm trying trying to achieve the same as you, and I went down this route in the end:

I ordered the 802.11b broadband router from ebuyer. It took a little time to arrive but they did keep me informed so I can't complain. It's a nice piece of kit for the price - it acts as a wireless access point, NAT router and hardwired hub. So essentially I have 3 pieces of kit in 1. Installation was a piece of cake and I had a home wireless network set up with a (hardware firewall to boot) in no time at all. In fact I'm typing this from the living room with router in an upstairs bedroom I can now access the internet over my broadband connection from anywhere in the house without having to have my desktop PC switched on all the time. Sorted.

Prices of kit (including VAT) on ebuyer were:

£11.74 - PCMCIA wireless card (quickfind - 52909)
£49.30 - wireless router (quickfind - 51436)

Hope this helps.

Kind regards,
Cyrill666

[handyman]

wow thats cheap kit there cyril :shock: