Wireless Help

[SwanseaCity]

Ok, i am wanting to set up a wireless network for my home, it will include 2 laptops and an old computer. I really dont have a clue what type of wireless i should get but i did a bit of research and i think i need a wireless router, it's the one where the modem connects into it and it sends out the information? please correct me if i am wrong. I need to know how i would connect it up as my computer doesnt have and wireless network card or ethernet but just USB connection. Meanwhile the two laptops both have wireless connectivity. What i am wanting to know is what type of router would be best and how to connect it all.

[EduTech]

First Question would be do you have an ADSL (BT, Ticali etc) or Cable (Virgin). so you know what type of router you require.

 

Once you have this, i can be of more use on how to setup/configure this.

 

for the computer as you dont have a built in wireless card you would need to purchase a USB Wireless Reciever.

 

i.e. [ame=http://www.amazon.co.uk/Belkin-802-11g-Wireless-Network-Adapter/dp/B0006374PK]Belkin 802.11g Wireless G USB Network Adapter for Win: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo[/ame]

 

one thing that is important is that you setup wireless encryption (WPA 2) so its not open to unauthorized Users.

 

Let me know what connection you have, and i'll give you some more info on what router to purchase and how to set it up.

 

James.

Edited June 21, 2009 by EduTech

[mac_shinobi]

Personally I would avoid the usb dongles like the plague and for the desktop computer ( depending on how far away it will be situated away from the router ) either purchase a wireless PCI Card or a PCI network card ( Intel or linksys )

 

Like you mention use the wireless cards on the laptops.

[kmount]

Another vote against USB Dongles; I've found them rather temperamental.

 

For the 'old' computer (how old, XP? or before?) I would go down the wired network card route, not too fussed on the manufacturer, cheap and cheerful has worked fine for me in the past.

 

As James said; we need to know who your isp is before we can recommend which 'type' of router you need.

[Kitkatninja]

Depending on where the old PC is in relation to the wireless modem/router/switch, if you can't connect it directly, how about using Home Plugs? I use the cheaper version and the down stairs PC works well on the internet at home

 

-Ken

[EduTech]

I'm never ever mentioning wireless dongles again!!

 

 

[SwanseaCity]

ok, i have an ADSL connection with Utility Warehouse. The computer is an XP. so what type of connection would be best if not the USB dongle?

 

 

 

EDIT>> Provider name

Edited June 22, 2009 by SwanseaCity

[EduTech]

Ok ADSL takes more configuring then a Cable Router

 

so,

 

Any ADSL Router would probably do you just fine, if we take this NetGear:

 

Wireless Broadband Routers: DG834GT

 

Instead of me typing out how to do it just follow this diagram:

 

http://kbserver.netgear.com/pdf/dg834gt_install_guide_112904.pdf

 

Its around the same setup process for most routers, just the IP address maybe slightly different. It should be in the documentation you recieve. (if not go to Start > Run > CMD > IPCONFIG) and then the "Default Gateway" will be you routers ip in which you will need to type into the address bar in your browser.

 

As for the wireless dongle, any dongle would be fine it really depends on distance. One of these would do you fine:

 

Wireless Desktop PC Adapter: WG311T < which you can easily install into any PCI card on the computer.

 

Hope that helps, obviously if you have a very big house and the distance is quite alot you would be better of with something from the N range.

 

James.

[SwanseaCity]

hmmm,

i was looking at that and i found the cheaper version is this still quite good or no? >>>

 

On the set up guide it shows it being connected to a computer, is that through an Ethernet connection? As my computer doesnt recognise the ethernet card for some reason. Also as it is connected does it mean i have to keep the computer on for the wireless to work? seeing as my computer also have cooling issues.

[EduTech]

Hi,

 

The reason it shows you when its connected to a PC is because it is recommended to use a Ethernet Cable instead of wireless when installing a new router. This is because when to change settings on the router it would restart which means you would loose the connection.

 

It will work using your wireless dongle, the routers wireless wont be encrypted so you wont have any problems connecting when you go to setup the router.

 

Yes that router is cheaper and that is because the wireless technology used downgrades slightly, it just means you wont get so much distance out of the wireless antenies.. and the speed wont be as quick locally. but it really all depends on how far your computer is away from your wireless router and weather your going to be transfering files accross your LAN (i am guessing you wont be doing the later, but just so you know for future reference)

 

Your computer will not have to be on permanently no, once you have configured your router that is it.

 

James.

[Edu-IT]

From past experience I've found the only way to configure Netgear routers is through ethernet first time around. I will stand corrected though if anyone can suggest otherwise. You can connect it to your laptop for configuration and then simply remove the ethernet if you want to go completely wireless.

[EduTech]

From past experience I've found the only way to configure Netgear routers is through ethernet first time around. I will stand corrected though if anyone can suggest otherwise. You can connect it to your laptop for configuration and then simply remove the ethernet if you want to go completely wireless.

 

I have configured NetGear routers by just using the wireless connection, you just have to bear with it more. once you have saved changes and it re-boots you just have to wait to connect again.

 

But yeah i have done it, it was a newer one so maybe it has changed since you tried.

 

PLEASE NOTE: You dont have to use NetGear there are many other vendors out there you can use, it was just an example. they are fairly cheap though and do the job your looking for.

[SwanseaCity]

ok, thanks very much, very useful help and it has made it not so confusing.

[EduTech]

ok, thanks very much, very useful help and it has made it not so confusing.

 

No Problem, anytime

 

If you get stuck, just drop a post here and i'll reply.. or another member if i am not around will be able to help you out.

 

Have Fun!

 

James.

[mac_shinobi]

Wireless Desktop PC Adapter: WG311T < which you can easily install into any PCI card on the computer.

 

Not to be a pain and I know most of us know what you mean but I think you meant

 

PCI Slot on the motherboard ( which yes is in a desktop computer )

 

Also linksys is what I would go for ( netgear are fairly good ) there are a few people who suggest draytek on here ( but money wise they are quite a lot of £££ at least in comparison to a linksys or netgear) depending on where you get your stuff from like with anything else will obviously make the price vary some what.

 

Maybe someone on here knows a good place to get draytek stuff from ( excluding ebay ) at a decent price.

 

Although ebay can be a good place to look as you can find some good deals on there.

[EduTech]

Oops, yes that is what i mean! that serves me right for not reading what i put first. Thanks for correcting it.

 

Yeah, as i mentioned i would personally recommend Draytek, but i just wanted to give the user an idea of what he had to purchase. obviously it depends on what budget he has which is why i based it on the cheaper option

 

James.

[mac_shinobi]

fair enough - linksys or netgear for reasonable price options and if you want something better and have more money later on then draytek and if you win the lottery and or want to learn loads then cisco lol.

 

One thing that has puzzled me is you can get HP managed switches but HP as far as I can tell haven't gone into the router side of things like linksys or netgear have - is it flooded enough and they haven't bothered ?

 

I still dont understand why D Link or Belkin even try or bother with there routers or network stuff at least for home users because imo there stuff for home users is rubbish.

[EduTech]

Exactly i agree with you mate, i have only ever used NetGear (that was because it was free with sky) and Linksys. Never brought a Draytek as much as i would like one lol

 

I brought a Belkin N Wireless Router, and it just kept locking up so never again.

 

James.

[mac_shinobi]

Exactly i agree with you mate, i have only ever used NetGear (that was because it was free with sky) and Linksys. Never brought a Draytek as much as i would like one lol

 

I brought a Belkin N Wireless Router, and it just kept locking up so never again.

 

James.

 

Think that was more the belkin router then the wireless N - not so I get any abuse or anything and have not got one myself but have suggested the apple airport extreme to a number of people and from the feedback I have had - it works great and its very fast and it works on the 5ghz band so does not interfere with anything else.

 

If I had the cash I would get an airport extreme ( It's wireless N and has a USB port on it ) am not sure about the ethernet ports on the back ( Think they are only 100mbps )

 

Think netgear do a gigabit version of there pre N wireless router which has gigabit ports on the back as well.