Connecting laptop to the internet ..for an idiot
09 March 2007, 09:11 PM
#1
Connecting laptop to the internet ..for an idiot
Evening all...help needed 
Just a bit of background...my home PC is in the study downstairs where I can keep an eye on the kids using it. The time has come when they both need to use a PC for homework so I have bought a cheap second hand Packard Bell laptop which one of them can use downstairs as well.
The Home PC is attached to the Internet by a broadband modem running AOL.
I just wondered if there was a pretty idiot proof solution to connecting my laptop to the internet (AOL) using wireless
Thanks
Shaun
Just a bit of background...my home PC is in the study downstairs where I can keep an eye on the kids using it. The time has come when they both need to use a PC for homework so I have bought a cheap second hand Packard Bell laptop which one of them can use downstairs as well.
The Home PC is attached to the Internet by a broadband modem running AOL.
I just wondered if there was a pretty idiot proof solution to connecting my laptop to the internet (AOL) using wireless
Thanks
Shaun
09 March 2007, 10:02 PM
#2
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Is this a USB type modem or do you have a proper router/firewall device?
With AOL you will need to check their website for supported wireless routers before you go out and buy one just so you can get support from AOL if you need it. I believe Netgear is one supported manufacturer.
With regard to protecting the kids from undesirable content download K9 from
K9 Web Protection - Free Internet Filter and Parental Control Software. It is a free program and works extremely well.
With AOL you will need to check their website for supported wireless routers before you go out and buy one just so you can get support from AOL if you need it. I believe Netgear is one supported manufacturer.
With regard to protecting the kids from undesirable content download K9 from
K9 Web Protection - Free Internet Filter and Parental Control Software. It is a free program and works extremely well.
09 March 2007, 10:07 PM
#3
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I'm afraid there's no real idiot proof way to do this without a lot more knowledge of your system and ability to setup XP (assuming you have this).
First off you'll need either in built wireless in the laptop (assume not if you say' cheap second hand') or a suitable PCMCIA wireless card.....
Then you need to connect it to a Wireless Access Point (AP) or Wireless broadband router (you say you have a modem which probably isn't wireless). The router is the one to go for...
Next you'll have to configure the wired side of the router to login/use your AOL account and then add your PC to the router. Then configure the router for the wireless and connect the laptop... this the harder part as you'll need to configure from scratch and security such as WPA (WEP as a minimum)...
If you're luck AOl may send you a Wireless Router and setup disk... but I'd suggest your still going to have to do some setting up...
You could try this guide I found from a US website as it explains setting up a laptop for a wireless university connection...
Clicky
If this confuses the hell out of you I'd ask a mate...
First off you'll need either in built wireless in the laptop (assume not if you say' cheap second hand') or a suitable PCMCIA wireless card.....
Then you need to connect it to a Wireless Access Point (AP) or Wireless broadband router (you say you have a modem which probably isn't wireless). The router is the one to go for...
Next you'll have to configure the wired side of the router to login/use your AOL account and then add your PC to the router. Then configure the router for the wireless and connect the laptop... this the harder part as you'll need to configure from scratch and security such as WPA (WEP as a minimum)...
If you're luck AOl may send you a Wireless Router and setup disk... but I'd suggest your still going to have to do some setting up...
You could try this guide I found from a US website as it explains setting up a laptop for a wireless university connection...
Clicky
If this confuses the hell out of you I'd ask a mate...
10 March 2007, 08:49 PM
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Anywhere in Essex and I can help...... also one other quick point AOL requires a specific MTU when using the netgear router otherwise you will have difficulties in connecting to bank/secure type sites.
Henry
Henry
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10 March 2007, 09:36 PM
#8
Thanks again for all the help....just off to look at PC world now scoobydriverwannabe
It looks like AOL likes netgear stuff and hidden in the depths of AOL help there are some help files to set the router up
As aqua says it appears that you need to set the MTU to 1430 (I think) to make it work but it looks like it's all in the help files LOL
I'll post again if it has all gone pants !
Cheers
Shaun
It looks like AOL likes netgear stuff and hidden in the depths of AOL help there are some help files to set the router up
As aqua says it appears that you need to set the MTU to 1430 (I think) to make it work but it looks like it's all in the help files LOL
I'll post again if it has all gone pants !
Cheers
Shaun
10 March 2007, 09:48 PM
#9
Just looked at PC world AOL's prefered wireless router
PC World - NETGEAR DG834UK WIRED NETWORKING - Shop for cheap Wired Routers & Network Accessories
not £30
Shaun
PC World - NETGEAR DG834UK WIRED NETWORKING - Shop for cheap Wired Routers & Network Accessories
not £30
Shaun
10 March 2007, 11:48 PM
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Any new router will do the job as you can programme it for whatever settings you need...
There's plenty of models to choose from, but here's a Linksys 54Mbs router from eBuyer for £37..
ebuyer.com - Networking » Wireless » Access Points » Product details
You'll get other makes cheaper.. (possibly £5 or so) but Linksys are OK in the Home price & speed range..
There's plenty of models to choose from, but here's a Linksys 54Mbs router from eBuyer for £37..
ebuyer.com - Networking » Wireless » Access Points » Product details
You'll get other makes cheaper.. (possibly £5 or so) but Linksys are OK in the Home price & speed range..
12 March 2007, 01:51 AM
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Hmmm strange
When i was at my local pc world on thurs they definately had a AOL wireless router for £29:99.
PC World - AOL UNLIMITED BROADBAND IN A BOX - Shop for cheap Modems
In a AOL box thing like that modem above. There was a shelf full of them.
I purchased a lap top on thurs & was going to buy that router my self, cant decide what to do though. Im definately cancelling my AOL, in favour of sky prefrably when that becomes available in my area. So i dont particually want to buy a router as il end up getting one free. But i would like some internet access on the lap top as none of the USB asdl modems i ahve currently are compatible with Vista.
So will more than likely end up buying that this week.
When i was at my local pc world on thurs they definately had a AOL wireless router for £29:99.
PC World - AOL UNLIMITED BROADBAND IN A BOX - Shop for cheap Modems
In a AOL box thing like that modem above. There was a shelf full of them.
I purchased a lap top on thurs & was going to buy that router my self, cant decide what to do though. Im definately cancelling my AOL, in favour of sky prefrably when that becomes available in my area. So i dont particually want to buy a router as il end up getting one free. But i would like some internet access on the lap top as none of the USB asdl modems i ahve currently are compatible with Vista.
So will more than likely end up buying that this week.
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