going wireless - PLAIN ENGLISH!!!
28 June 2006, 07:52 PM
#1
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going wireless - PLAIN ENGLISH!!!
Well I've searched this topic already but cant find anything plain english enough for me 
Basically I have broadband and I have a lap top which apparently is wireless compatible or whatever the phrase might be.
Question is, what do I need to buy to go wireless, where's best and is it straightforward to set up?
Any feedback appreciated - imagine you're talking to a 5 year old.... on second thoughts they get all this stuff dont they
Basically I have broadband and I have a lap top which apparently is wireless compatible or whatever the phrase might be.
Question is, what do I need to buy to go wireless, where's best and is it straightforward to set up?
Any feedback appreciated - imagine you're talking to a 5 year old.... on second thoughts they get all this stuff dont they
28 June 2006, 07:58 PM
#2
You need:
1) A wireless modem/router
2) Wireless network card for each PC (it sounds like the lappy is OK, but any desktops are unlikely to have a a built-in wireless NIC). If it's just the lappy, then proceed directly to 2) below.
Setting up is easyish if you've read up on it. Best advice is set up all the connections from one computer while it is connected by ethernet. Once that computer can talk correctly to the router etc, THEN go wireless (the router will always have ethernet ports as well as wireless capability). You need the two wired together while you sort out IP addresses, subnet masks, ADSL settings, firewall, etc. Once all that is done then it's time to sort out SSID names, WPA passwords etc for the wireless bit.
M
1) A wireless modem/router
2) Wireless network card for each PC (it sounds like the lappy is OK, but any desktops are unlikely to have a a built-in wireless NIC). If it's just the lappy, then proceed directly to 2) below.
Setting up is easyish if you've read up on it. Best advice is set up all the connections from one computer while it is connected by ethernet. Once that computer can talk correctly to the router etc, THEN go wireless (the router will always have ethernet ports as well as wireless capability). You need the two wired together while you sort out IP addresses, subnet masks, ADSL settings, firewall, etc. Once all that is done then it's time to sort out SSID names, WPA passwords etc for the wireless bit.
M
28 June 2006, 08:01 PM
#3
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I assume your BB is up and running? If so them you will already have a 'broadband modem' - that's the thing that the telephone line plugs into and which is also plugged into your existing computer. It could be plugged in via a USB port (like wot scanners/printers plug into - slim rectangular port on the back and/or front of your computer) or a network cable - the plug will look like a phone jack except bigger. I also assume that this modem will not support wireless (read your manual on this one ....).
So, to share BB wirelessly around the Brumdaisy abode you'll need a BB wireless router/modem - here is one example http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/52244
Your phone line plugs into this and your laptop 'connects' wirelessy to it and thus the interweb ....
At least that's the hardware you need .... setting it nup and which one to choose is a whole other can of worms which you can open if you'd like ...
Also do a search as there have been many threads on here as to the relative merits or otherwise of such devices ...
Good luck
Dave
PS: keep at least one PC 'wired' to it. A lot of problems with such devices cause the 'wireless' bit to go t!ts up .....
So, to share BB wirelessly around the Brumdaisy abode you'll need a BB wireless router/modem - here is one example http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/52244
Your phone line plugs into this and your laptop 'connects' wirelessy to it and thus the interweb ....
At least that's the hardware you need .... setting it nup and which one to choose is a whole other can of worms which you can open if you'd like ...
Also do a search as there have been many threads on here as to the relative merits or otherwise of such devices ...Good luck
Dave
PS: keep at least one PC 'wired' to it. A lot of problems with such devices cause the 'wireless' bit to go t!ts up .....
28 June 2006, 08:43 PM
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If you are not already connected...We need to know if you have Broadband or ADSL? Is your telephone line BT or are you o NTL/Telewest, you need to buy the correct type of modem/router.
Quite often all you do is plug the mode/router in and it could work. Best is to start off with a wired connection so you at least know the BB is working. Then you can worry about the wireless part.
Quite often all you do is plug the mode/router in and it could work. Best is to start off with a wired connection so you at least know the BB is working. Then you can worry about the wireless part.
28 June 2006, 09:23 PM
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28 June 2006, 09:38 PM
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Originally Posted by _Meridian_
You need:
1) A wireless modem/router
2) Wireless network card for each PC (it sounds like the lappy is OK, but any desktops are unlikely to have a a built-in wireless NIC). If it's just the lappy, then proceed directly to 2) below.
Setting up is easyish if you've read up on it. Best advice is set up all the connections from one computer while it is connected by ethernet. Once that computer can talk correctly to the router etc, THEN go wireless (the router will always have ethernet ports as well as wireless capability). You need the two wired together while you sort out IP addresses, subnet masks, ADSL settings, firewall, etc. Once all that is done then it's time to sort out SSID names, WPA passwords etc for the wireless bit.
M
1) A wireless modem/router
2) Wireless network card for each PC (it sounds like the lappy is OK, but any desktops are unlikely to have a a built-in wireless NIC). If it's just the lappy, then proceed directly to 2) below.
Setting up is easyish if you've read up on it. Best advice is set up all the connections from one computer while it is connected by ethernet. Once that computer can talk correctly to the router etc, THEN go wireless (the router will always have ethernet ports as well as wireless capability). You need the two wired together while you sort out IP addresses, subnet masks, ADSL settings, firewall, etc. Once all that is done then it's time to sort out SSID names, WPA passwords etc for the wireless bit.
M
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28 June 2006, 09:50 PM
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thank you all to those replies...
Yes broadband is up and running. I havent the faintest what an ethernet port is but putting your replies together Im assuming its the non USB non wireless plug thing that runs from the modem to the laptop, in which case yes I have one...
Im fairly certain the modem doesnt support wireless as I asked Telewest at the time and they said I'd have to go to pc world...
So, I need a router thing - I am not the type of person who is going to demand the best performance or even know how to measure the best performance (!) so can anyone just name a make/model that in their experience will do the job? Im with Telewest, I have no idea what the difference is between broadband and ADSL!
RE keeping one pc wired.... I only have one laptop, so is it ok to have the laptop set up for wired and wireless?
Cheers in advance for any further tips. I have never felt so inept but hopefully its a great source of entertainment for everyone else
Yes broadband is up and running. I havent the faintest what an ethernet port is but putting your replies together Im assuming its the non USB non wireless plug thing that runs from the modem to the laptop, in which case yes I have one...
Im fairly certain the modem doesnt support wireless as I asked Telewest at the time and they said I'd have to go to pc world...
So, I need a router thing - I am not the type of person who is going to demand the best performance or even know how to measure the best performance (!) so can anyone just name a make/model that in their experience will do the job? Im with Telewest, I have no idea what the difference is between broadband and ADSL!
RE keeping one pc wired.... I only have one laptop, so is it ok to have the laptop set up for wired and wireless?
Cheers in advance for any further tips. I have never felt so inept but hopefully its a great source of entertainment for everyone else
28 June 2006, 09:53 PM
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You're gonna need to give us a clue!
Does your broadband come in to your house via your TV connection or through your phone line?
They both need a completely different kind of wireless router. One connects to your Phone line (with a phone type connection), and the other connects to your Cable Modem (with an Ethernet connection)
Before you tell us which, I can tell you that you are probably NOT loking for a Wireless Access Point (WAP), and probably ARE looking for a "Wireless router"
Does your broadband come in to your house via your TV connection or through your phone line?
They both need a completely different kind of wireless router. One connects to your Phone line (with a phone type connection), and the other connects to your Cable Modem (with an Ethernet connection)
Before you tell us which, I can tell you that you are probably NOT loking for a Wireless Access Point (WAP), and probably ARE looking for a "Wireless router"
28 June 2006, 09:59 PM
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"I have no idea what the difference is between broadband and ADSL!"
If you do not have a BT telephone line then you need a Wireless Broadband Router - I use a Lynksys WRT54G and its fine, one cable plugs into the 'ethernet' (squarish with 8 pins) socket of the box that telewest supplied the other goes in the back of the Linksys box. Your wired or wireless machines then get out on the internet through the new Wireless Broadband router.
You plug the cable (not usb) coming from your laptop into one of the other emtpy sockets in the new router, it shold all magically work...
If you do not have a BT telephone line then you need a Wireless Broadband Router - I use a Lynksys WRT54G and its fine, one cable plugs into the 'ethernet' (squarish with 8 pins) socket of the box that telewest supplied the other goes in the back of the Linksys box. Your wired or wireless machines then get out on the internet through the new Wireless Broadband router.
You plug the cable (not usb) coming from your laptop into one of the other emtpy sockets in the new router, it shold all magically work...
28 June 2006, 10:12 PM
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Ummmm lol
Ok yes I have a BT line but dont use it since I got my broadband. I know this sounds painfully thick but all I know is that Telewest put two little white boxes on my wall - one for the phone line and one that splits off for digital tv and the modem...
I think RichB and Shytot are there with the advice, probably wont get a chance to buy a router til the weekend so dont hold your breath for a report back!
Cheers again guys
Ok yes I have a BT line but dont use it since I got my broadband. I know this sounds painfully thick but all I know is that Telewest put two little white boxes on my wall - one for the phone line and one that splits off for digital tv and the modem...
I think RichB and Shytot are there with the advice, probably wont get a chance to buy a router til the weekend so dont hold your breath for a report back!
Cheers again guys
29 June 2006, 12:11 AM
#13
Sounds like you have cable rather than ADSL then. In which case you need a cable modem/router. If the lappy is your only computer, then that's it - the rest is just setting up. The modem/router does several jobs, but essentially it converts the signal in your cable phone line to a form that a computer can understand, then sends it to a computer - either by wire or radio signal (i.e. wireless).
This the sort of thing, although generally Belkin make rather poor kit.
M
This the sort of thing, although generally Belkin make rather poor kit.
M
29 June 2006, 10:03 AM
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If you have a cable modem already with an ethernet port for a cable like the one on the left in this pic
then all you should need is a wireless router to add to your setup. You don't need one with a built in modem, but it will cut down on the number of electrical things plugged in if you get a combined modem/router. You would plug your modem into your router then, rather than your PC, and then connect to your router either via wireless or using a cable to one of the ethernet ports on the back of the router.
then all you should need is a wireless router to add to your setup. You don't need one with a built in modem, but it will cut down on the number of electrical things plugged in if you get a combined modem/router. You would plug your modem into your router then, rather than your PC, and then connect to your router either via wireless or using a cable to one of the ethernet ports on the back of the router.
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