OT: HELP! How hard is it to set up wireless Internet?

[JOEJOEJOE]

Hi Gang

I have a dumb question for y'all.

How hard is it to install a wirelss connection for 2 desktops (without Network cards) and 1 labtop (with WIFI capablility)? and also how much will it cost me?

I will be using Comcast High speed internet for 1 computer, but I am assuming that that physical line will have to be connected to the router for all 3 computers to work.

Any help/input will be appreciated (product info - offline only please - would also be highly appreciated).

Thanks in advance!

Joe

 

[OiRogers]

I'm certain that others (thinking of Pugs here) will have much better answers...

But my own experience... 1 desktop, two laptops, 2 game systems and a blackberry in my house...

Got one router, one desktop wireless adaptar, one PCMIA wireless card (other had built in wifi) and 1 usb dongle for X360 (Wii has built in)... All adapters and routing equipment is same manufacturer.... xbox dongle is "xbox/microsoft" branded...

Set up was pretty much plug and play... (running windows XP across the board on my tower/laptops) only had to input my security codes on each of the devices and it was up and running in a brief afternoon.... follow the instructions carefully and set up your wireless router first... all falls in line from there...

Just make certain to get a router which can accomodate all your items... my first one was a four port router... had to try again with a nicer one... my Wii and tower are always on... the other items were competing for a port... got a much nicer router and all problems solved.

 

[piratedzeus]

It is easy

 

[JOEJOEJOE]

Thanks guys

So, In addition to the router, I would need two wireless cards/adaptors for two desktops, is this correct? (One for each machine).

 

[hk45ca]

Thanks guys

So, In addition to the router, I would need two wireless cards/adaptors for two desktops, is this correct? (One for each machine).

one router for the house and one wireless card for each computer. there is nothing to it. i can access the internet 600 feet from my house so you will need to use the encryption codes if you don't want others to access. your wireless cards don't have to be the same manufacture as the router. i can ride around on my golf cart and surf the net. i like it very much. 8)

 

[JOEJOEJOE]

Thanks guys

So, In addition to the router, I would need two wireless cards/adaptors for two desktops, is this correct? (One for each machine).

one router for the house and one wireless card for each computer. there is nothing to it. i can access the internet 600 feet from my house so you will need to use the encryption codes if you don't want others to access. your wireless cards don't have to be the same manufacture as the router. i can ride around on my golf cart and surf the net. i like it very much. 8)

Thanks hk45~ ^^

I almost paid this damn Comcast 150 dollar set up fee + 5 dollars a month router rent fee for this.

I will give it a shot

 

[MICAVI]

If you keep the router by one of the desktops you would only need to buy a wireless adapter for the other desktop. If you get a new router, get the N versions, not B or G. I just got an N router and it's fast. You could get set-up for $100-200 dollars.

 

[hk45ca]

i am not a computer person so if i can do it anybody can do it. :lol:

 

[JOEJOEJOE]

If you keep the router by one of the desktops you would only need to buy a wireless adapter for the other desktop. If you get a new router, get the N versions, not B or G. I just got an N router and it's fast. You could get set-up for $100-200 dollars.

hmm... interesting... so the I don't need two? The desktop, by simply being next to the router, will be connected to the internet?

Also, are there any wireless adapters that do not need to be installed inside the computer? I would really hate to open up the computer (which I haven't done before) for it.

Thanks for all the inputs.

Joe

 

[hk45ca]

If you keep the router by one of the desktops you would only need to buy a wireless adapter for the other desktop. If you get a new router, get the N versions, not B or G. I just got an N router and it's fast. You could get set-up for $100-200 dollars.

hmm... interesting... so the I don't need two? The desktop, by simply being next to the router, will be connected to the internet?

Also, are there any wireless adapters that do not need to be installed inside the computer? I would really hate to open up the computer (which I haven't done before) for it.

Thanks for all the inputs.

Joe

having the router next to one of the computers will mean it isn't wireless. it will be wired to that computer.

 

[JOEJOEJOE]

If you keep the router by one of the desktops you would only need to buy a wireless adapter for the other desktop. If you get a new router, get the N versions, not B or G. I just got an N router and it's fast. You could get set-up for $100-200 dollars.

hmm... interesting... so the I don't need two? The desktop, by simply being next to the router, will be connected to the internet?

Also, are there any wireless adapters that do not need to be installed inside the computer? I would really hate to open up the computer (which I haven't done before) for it.

Thanks for all the inputs.

Joe

having the router next to one of the computers will mean it isn't wireless. it will be wired to that computer.

This makes sense. I thought the router just floats around - duh :shock:

 

[MICAVI]

If you keep the router by one of the desktops you would only need to buy a wireless adapter for the other desktop. If you get a new router, get the N versions, not B or G. I just got an N router and it's fast. You could get set-up for $100-200 dollars.

hmm... interesting... so the I don't need two? The desktop, by simply being next to the router, will be connected to the internet?

Also, are there any wireless adapters that do not need to be installed inside the computer? I would really hate to open up the computer (which I haven't done before) for it.

Thanks for all the inputs.

Joe

I'm not a huge techie, but I am pretty sure you can connect via ethernet cable to the modem. It would be just liked connecting to a regular modem, but the modem is also sending out a wifi signal for your other computers.



Here's a few routers that would work:

hxxp://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... _-33124085

hxxp://www.compusa.com/products/product ... m_ite=feed

Good if you need long range:

hxxp://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006A7X36/ref ... nkCode=asn

 

[MICAVI]

You can just buy something like this for your other desktop if you don't want to install a permanent card into your PC. You can find more by googling USB Wireless Adapters.

hxxp://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp ... =06&loc=01

It just plugs into an available USB port.

 

[OiRogers]

You can just buy something like this for your other desktop if you don't want to install a permanent card into your PC. You can find more by googling USB Wireless Adapters.

hxxp://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp ... =06&loc=01

It just plugs into an available USB port.

This is an option... but be aware and read up on reviews... some of the USB wifi adapters are really really crappy. (haven't jumped the link so don't know about the one linked above).... Its easy to install a card in a tower... just unplug the power cable... remove case side... remove slot clover at the appropriate card slot... push card into place... insert screw.... reassemble tower, power up.

The instructions included with most cards these days are really good. And WindowsXP makes the software side of this equation very easy as well.

 

[pugwash]

If your PCs have no networking at all installed, and you're not comfortable with opening them up to add network/wifi cards, get two USB Wifi cards. The router thing is dead easy if you follow the provider's instructions.

It used to be difficult back in the day, but today it's simple.

Oh, if you're getting USB wireless, you absolutely imperatively need to get "G" or "56mbps" USB Wifi connectors or higher ("N" or 110mbps). DO NOT get the "B" or 11mbps connectors. Trust me on that one and don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

 

[jkerouac]

One other point that nobody has addressed: try to put your main wireless router in a fairly central location, for better coverage throughout your house.

One friend of mine wanted to locate her wireless base station in a far corner of the basement of her three-story house. She would have been very unhappy.

Walls can also diminish the strength of a wireless signal, but in most cases should not prevent a signal from getting through.

Your setup instructions should have some basic guidance on locating the router and your other computers.. If you do encounter signal strength problems, be open to experimenting with the locations of some of your components.

 

[hk45ca]

One other point that nobody has addressed: try to put your main wireless router in a fairly central location, for better coverage throughout your house.

One friend of mine wanted to locate her wireless base station in a far corner of the basement of her three-story house. She would have been very unhappy.

Walls can also diminish the strength of a wireless signal, but in most cases should not prevent a signal from getting through.

Your setup instructions should have some basic guidance on locating the router and your other computers.. If you do encounter signal strength problems, be open to experimenting with the locations of some of your components.

i have mine in a centrally located closet on the second floor of my house and i have service everywhere inside and out.

 

[pugwash]

Walls can also diminish the strength of a wireless signal, but in most cases should not prevent a signal from getting through.

Microwaves, wireless phones, kettles and running water are worse than walls.

 

[JOEJOEJOE]

Thank you so much for the responses. I am very enlightened.

I will be "networking" ^^ next week, wish me luck

Joe

 

[hk45ca]

be patient and follow the instructions, you will be fine.