wired up PC / connect laptop ?

Itshim · 05-02-2010, 09:52

Sorry I really am not sure how to put over what I hope to do.

I have a PC with modem . My granddaughter has now got herself a lap top with wireless internet. what is the simplest way she could get on the net via my PC, I connect my Wii with a dongle(?) . Any like that for a lap top

?

MovedGoalPosts · 05-02-2010, 09:56

Most modern laptops will have wireless network cards in built.

If you are connecting your Wii using a dongle then presumably you have a wireless router in your house.

The laptop should have wizards to enable you to set up the wireless on it. You'll need to know the name of your wireless network, and the passkey (password) for your router's connection.

LondonRoad · 05-02-2010, 10:38

It's actually ar$e for elbow with the wii. The Wii doesn't need a dongle to connect wirelessly but it does need a dongle (usb network adaptor) to connect by cable.

Do you plug your Wii into a router, or is it permanently plugged into a router?

What make/model of router is it you have?

Itshim · 05-02-2010, 12:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by LondonRoad

It's actually ar$e for elbow with the wii. The Wii doesn't need a dongle to connect wirelessly but it does need a dongle (usb network adaptor) to connect by cable.

Do you plug your Wii into a router, or is it permanently plugged into a router?

What make/model of router is it you have?

Sorry if the name is wrong ( it looks like a dongle) but what I use is

http://www.amazon.co.uk/USB-Access-Point-Nintendo-Wii/dp/B000BVAPFI/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1265370317&sr =8-15

---------- Post added at 12:08 ---------- Previous post was at 11:51 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob

Most modern laptops will have wireless network cards in built.

If you are connecting your Wii using a dongle then presumably you have a wireless router in your house.

Sorry just noticed this the short answeris No I don t it, "plugs" in to a usb point.

LondonRoad · 05-02-2010, 12:23

I haven't came across one of these before but a quick google suggests that it utilises a proprietary authentication system, so you're unlikely to be able to connect anything but ds' or wiis.

Presumably you purchased one of these because you haven't got wireless router.

There are suggestions that there are ways of modifying drivers so that it acts as a standard adaptor but even if this is the case you would only be able to connect one device at a time.

You might be better investing in a wireless router and recouping some/most of the money on ebay as the adaptor you have is now discontinued.

Aragorn · 05-02-2010, 12:26

If you don't mind sharing the connection through your PC - as the Wii does - you could get a USB Wireless adapter and get her connected in 'Ad-Hoc' computer-computer mode. It would mean enabling Internet Connection Sharing on you PC and it's not a great solution but it only requires a small bit of hardware.
Much better would be buying a Wireless Cable Router - easier to setup, more reliable but more expensive.

Itshim · 05-02-2010, 12:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aragorn

If you don't mind sharing the connection through your PC - as the Wii does - you could get a USB Wireless adapter and get her connected in 'Ad-Hoc' computer-computer mode. It would mean enabling Internet Connection Sharing on you PC and it's not a great solution but it only requires a small bit of hardware.

Thank you for the odd times it would be required that should fit the bill. Tried googling but ended up as puzzled as before. Could you please point me in the right direction.

many thanks

MovedGoalPosts · 05-02-2010, 14:02

The wireless adaptor suggested by Aragorn is a possibility but may be a fiddle to set up. As you will potentiall have three different devices in your house, your computer, Wii and the new laptop, it makes sense to do this properly. Get a wireless router. They aren't especially expensive, and can be set up fairly simply. Best advantage is if you just want to use the Wii, or the laptop, your computer would not have to be on. You'd be able to use the inbuilt wireless adaptor on your Wii too, ditching that USB dongle.

Virgin Media will supply a router, or alternatively they can be bought from any decent computer store. You need to ensure it is compatible with cable (no integral ADSL modem), but for your needs i suspect you only need "g" standard wireless.

Not a recommendation for PC world but something like:
http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/sto...&category_oid= or http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/sto...&category_oid= should do the job.

Itshim · 05-02-2010, 15:40

Thank you guys,

As I had no need for wireless I was hoping to find an almost plug & play way of getting lap top on the net ( as I have for the Wii),for the odd times she might need it.
She is wireless in her own home,just she brings it down to me & then cant use it as she likes
It would be only one in use at any time, hence no real confilct of interest.
If she was on the lap top,then every thing else would not be used ( brought Wii for her to use when with me!!)
. I stopped playing games when Pac man "died", lord was I good at it back in the 70`s !!! LOL

The only one game I (for me) have is the simpsons on PC & I am rubbish at that! Picked it up a a car boot sale for a £1. Last of the big spenders.

MovedGoalPosts · 05-02-2010, 15:51

If it really is a case that she is only going to be using the laptop when nothing else is in use, and that is occasionally too, then why not simply connect the modem direct to the laptop (laptop should have a wired network port). This is the zero cost option

Power off modem, remove the ethernet cable from back of computer and plug into laptop. Power up modem, wait a few seconds then power up laptop. Reverse procedure when she leaves.

LondonRoad · 05-02-2010, 16:47

Good suggestions from Rob.

You could also download the internet channel onto the wii if it's just general web surfing she wants to do.

Scrubbs · 05-02-2010, 19:25

this might seem obvious but, can't she just use your pc, she might have to download some extra programmes(or is it program??)like messenger etc but that would solve all the problems

moiraf100 · 05-02-2010, 20:46

Isn't it strange, that the simplest solutions are sometimes the least obvious. Rob's last post) :-) (not forgetting Scrubbs)
I'm like that myself sometimes. I'll faff about making life difficult for myself doing things the long way round. Then another pair of eyes looks at at it......................
ho hum!

Itshim · 08-02-2010, 10:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scrubbs

this might seem obvious but, can't she just use your pc, she might have to download some extra programmes(or is it program??)like messenger etc but that would solve all the problems

Why she even wanted it is a puzzle to me! PC at mine & at her parents. KIDS !

---------- Post added at 10:16 ---------- Previous post was at 10:13 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob

If it really is a case that she is only going to be using the laptop when nothing else is in use, and that is occasionally too, then why not simply connect the modem direct to the laptop (laptop should have a wired network port). This is the zero cost option

.

Only possible reason not to go down this route is location- It suits me - but its in my office, Guess she wants to be in the lounge

---------- Post added at 10:23 ---------- Previous post was at 10:16 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by LondonRoad

Good suggestions from Rob.

You could also download the internet channel onto the wii if it's just general web surfing she wants to do.

Have got it thanks but never use it !, If Wii goes to a other room then using it for I player is also an option. Again never have bothered.

Thanks again guys if she wants to use her laptop for what ever reason, she can be wired. Look out for bumps on head scratched hands etc. I tend to hide wired sockets etc

Once again thanks for all your help.