going wireless

[PediDoc]

I've a new laptop in a house that is hooked up with cable internet for my desktop. I'm told that I can buy a wireless router? that will allow me to use the internet anywhere in the house (my laptop is already configured with something ...)

Are there any specifics I should know before I buy one? do they all allow you to set up a password for access? is this something that I can "install" myself (technology challenged, that I am?) thanks for the help.

[mel]

I've a new laptop in a house that is hooked up with cable internet for my desktop. I'm told that I can buy a wireless router? that will allow me to use the internet anywhere in the house (my laptop is already configured with something ...)

Are there any specifics I should know before I buy one? do they all allow you to set up a password for access? is this something that I can "install" myself (technology challenged, that I am?) thanks for the help.
You can do everything yourself, the menu or control panel is web-based form most routers used at home or small office. Make sure you buy one that has WPA wireless encryption, older models or firmware only had WEP which is not as secure as WPA.
All you have to do is plug the router between your cable modem and computer, follow the instructions to set it up.
In brief, you will need

Log into the router control panel /menu usually by typing in your web-browser from a computer directly connected to the router 192.168.0.1
Change the username and password from the default admin and password
Change the default SSID usually NETGEAR or LINKSYS depending on model to a different name
Turn off broadcast of your SSID
turn on MAC address filtering
Turn on WPA encryption after your notebook has logged on and you have added it to list of wireless devices allowed to use the network

This will keep your neighbors away from your network
happy wireless surfing :D

[B.Ramana]

Buy an Airport Express or, even better, an Airport Extreme. Both are Apple products and of very high quality. they are also good for the technically challenged!

[mel]

Buy an Airport Express or, even better, an Airport Extreme. Both are Apple products and of very high quality. they are also good for the technically challenged!
Ram, unless she is already working in an Apple environment, I'd not advise a newbie to get an Apple product, they tend to cost more upfront, and with less than 5% of the marketshare, support comes at a premium

[sherry99]

We have a linksys at home and I love it. But I have noticed my computer can pick up about 3 networks within our neighborhood. Make sure you password protect yours.

I have a PDA with wireless access. Just driving through neighborhoods I can pick up wireless networks. Be careful.

[drsam]

I've a new laptop in a house that is hooked up with cable internet for my desktop. I'm told that I can buy a wireless router? that will allow me to use the internet anywhere in the house (my laptop is already configured with something ...)

Are there any specifics I should know before I buy one? do they all allow you to set up a password for access? is this something that I can "install" myself (technology challenged, that I am?) thanks for the help.


Before dropping cash on the router, see if any of your neighbors foolishly have one that isn't encrypted. If so, you can just parasitize their network with your wireless laptop and do all your web surfing for free ;)

[mel]

Before dropping cash on the router, see if any of your neighbors foolishly have one that isn't encrypted. If so, you can just parasitize their network with your wireless laptop and do all your web surfing for free ;)

CAUTION !!!
There are laws on the books dealing with WiFi "theft" as a recent case (http://www.infoworld.com/article/05/08/08/HNwifi_1.html?source=rss&url=http://www.infoworld.com/article/05/08/08/HNwifi_1.html) in Florida proved

[davidtm]

I also love having a wireless netowrk. I'm sitting at the kitchen table, while also listening to Steely Dan with my new headphones! Almost as good as listening while on the beach!!

Here are some links that I've found helpful:

http://forum.homenethelp.com/
http://computer.howstuffworks.com/home-network.htm
http://delltalk.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=si_wireless&message.id=8175

DM

[bshug4u]

i called the computer geek who hooked it up in one half hour. this was after i had tried for 2 hours

[Raveendra]

I've a new laptop in a house that is hooked up with cable internet for my desktop. I'm told that I can buy a wireless router? that will allow me to use the internet anywhere in the house (my laptop is already configured with something ...)

Are there any specifics I should know before I buy one? do they all allow you to set up a password for access? is this something that I can "install" myself (technology challenged, that I am?) thanks for the help.


Go to circuit City and they will install for u.That way u can save some headaches.

[Chamoudah]

I am a moron when it comes to tech stuff. But several months ago I bought a wireless router and set it all up myself. I did call the company's tech center in Bangalore!) with one question, and the person walked me through the answer. No problems ever since! Now I'm getting a wireless PDA (a Palm TX) because this wireless world is wonderful. Enjoy!

[BigDoc]

I am a moron when it comes to tech stuff. But several months ago I bought a wireless router and set it all up myself. I did call the company's tech center in Bangalore!) with one question, and the person walked me through the answer. No problems ever since! Now I'm getting a wireless PDA (a Palm TX) because this wireless world is wonderful. Enjoy!
Make sure you are not providing free WiFi and access to your computer's shared drive to your neighbors, type 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 if you have a Netgear or Linksys router and check to see you have one the 2 available encryption methods enabled. They are OFF by default

[Chamoudah]

Bigdoc, I'm afraid I don't know how to check this. My router (if that's what I think it is) is a 2Wire 802.11 LAN system. Does this make sense?
Thanks.

[ShringkRap]

I've got a 2wire;there should be a web based site to check your settings.If you got it through your internet service provider, maybe you can call them for the address.

[BigDoc]

I've got a 2wire;there should be a web based site to check your settings.If you got it through your internet service provider, maybe you can call them for the address.

I agree with calling your ISP, it appears you have a DSL modem (I have not used one in over 4years) I prefer cable modems.
I found some details on what appears a support website (http://support.2wire.com/cgi-bin/twowire.cfg/php/enduser/std_alp.php?p_sid=eronlS9h&p_lva=&p_sp=&p_li=), but you have to configure or check the settings from within Windows Network configuration, something I'd not recommend. Most cable modems have a web-based menu that you can use to configure.

[PediDoc]

OK - I'm just now getting around to getting my wireless hooked up - but I've hit a snag. My Dell desktop doesn't have an ethernet connection -- only USB ports. My Linksys router requires an ethernet cable to connect to the computer. Do I need a new router? or do all routers require ethernet ports? if so, does that mean I have to add an ethernet port to my computer? --- thanks.

[PediDoc]

OK - more pain --I"ve now realized that my desktop computer doesn't have a wireless network card -- didn't seem that important when I bought the computer .....alas - so it seems as though my choices are an external card or a USB wireless adaptor. But will the USB adaptor be secure?
I am approaching 'way over my head' fast .....

[falcon999]

the usb adaptor will be secure, it will work fine, and also is pretty easy.

[PediDoc]

so I will just plug the ethernet cable from the router into the USB adaptor?

[MattBeckwith]

Most laptops have a place where you can insert a wireless card. If not, then I suppose an external wireless card can be purchased, with a USB connector.

But this is just part of the story. This wireless card communicates through the air with a router. The router takes the signal from the modem and broadcasts it throughout the house. Each computer then has a wireless card which picks up the signal.

So you need a router connected to the modem, and wireless cards at each of the computers in the network.

I see you mention a router, so you already have that. Ethernet cables are needed for non-wireless connections. In other words, if you use wireless, you don't need cables.

Some people have a PC right next to the router, so they use a cable for that connection (rather than wireless). In that case, the PC needs an ethernet card.

But computers which have wireless cards don't need Ethernet cards (I don't think so, anyway).

I don't know whether it works to get an adapter and plug an Ethernet cable using the adapter into a USB port. That doesn't make a lot of sense to me, since what you need is an Ethernet CARD. The USB port is not an Ethernet card. In other words, I think you need an Ethernet card in a computer which receives an Ethernet cable.

[falcon999]

you can buy a wireless usb adaptor, it's what i have going into my tivo, if you have a wirelesss router, you don't have to plug anything into the usb ethernet adaptor, if you don't have a wireless router, you can buy a usb adaptor for ethernet that you plug into. I bought one of those a while back, but never use it, if i knew where it was I would mail it to you, but i think it got lost in the move.

It's really easy to do this once you have done it once, but it's a bit difficult to start.

Guy

[mel]

OK - more pain --I"ve now realized that my desktop computer doesn't have a wireless network card -- didn't seem that important when I bought the computer .....alas - so it seems as though my choices are an external card or a USB wireless adaptor. But will the USB adaptor be secure?
I am approaching 'way over my head' fast .....
If your desktop does not have an ethernet port, it might be time to replace the desktop. Wireless routers with 4 ethernet ports cost only $35

[algosdoc]

If your desktop does not have an ethernet card, it may be quite old since all desktop computers manufactured in the past several years have ethernet connections as a standard feature. This implies your processor speed may be too slow. Go to dell.com and you can buy a modern computer with monitor for less than $500. Also the laptop computers manufactured within the past couple of years have built in wireless... If you have a wireless card built in already, then you will not need a USB wireless or card slot wireless for the laptop. The cable connection goes to the wireless router (which usually also has ethernet ports) that gives you the option of using CAT5 cable to connect to the ethernet ports of the desktop (very fast) or wireless (much slower speeds)

[PediDoc]

I admitted defeat and the Computer Nerdz came out today. I am happily connected on my patio where our TX weather is a balmy 85!
Thanks for all your replies/education.

[algosdoc]

That is disgusting...85....have some mercy on those of us in the frozen tundra...lol

[MattBeckwith]

That is disgusting...85....have some mercy on those of us in the frozen tundra...lol

I lived in Texas for 30 years. Wouldn't go back if you paid me. A little snow is a small price to pay for being away from The Land of George.

[PediDoc]

I'd say we're all in the land of George for 3 more years ....

[algosdoc]

Next could be a Hillary-scape world of medicine.....could be interesting

[rjacobson]

just found this thread.

recently installed a Netlink 108 system, but I find that when connected to it and no one else logged into system, that it slows down the main computer to slower than dial up. I use Verizon DSL usual speed about 100/sec

Any suggestions algo, and thanks for being there.

Rich jacobson, granada hills, ca.

[algosdoc]

hmmm...I haven't seen that before, but I use cable so perhaps therein lies some difference.