IT help: Going wireless...
 

Can anyone explain to me what it is I need to setup a wireless network at home please?

I currently have a broadband cable connection and a desktop PC. What I'd like to do is to have a wireless network that enables my wife to use her laptop (already wireless enabled) to surf the web and share files with the desktop PC.
I went to PCWorld today and couldn't make head nor tail of all the kit there was and I couldn't find a YTS boy to talk to! :oops: :D

I think I want a 58Mbps router thing but I'm not sure.

Can anyone help!?

I'm not completely technically inept by the way, I can rebuild an LC engine from scratch, I just can't understand the terminology, honest!

What you'll need is a wireless router somewhat like this (im not recommending that in particular, but you want one marked as a "cable/dsl router"), which pugs into your current cable modem (ntl?). If the PC doesn't have wireless you'll need a wireless card for that too, PCI cards (like this) tend to be better, but usb means you don't need to open the PC. If you have a large house and want coverage all over, the newer mimo/extended range stuff is better, but its also about twice the price.
Fairly easy to set up if you're reasonably competent, and i and others on here can probably advise if you get stuck.
[Edit] You're probably lucky you couldn't find a pcworld sales persistent tbh, they probably would have sold you something shiny, expensive and no use to you.

Thanks for the reply.

I've only got one ethernet socket on the modem (Telewest) so I guess the wireless router plugs into that. Then both the laptop and desktop use that as a hub? For some reason I thought that the desktop would act as the hub. Anyway thanks again. I'll have a nose around to see what kit is around for what price.

I was quite relieved I didn't find an assistant as I hate trying to have conversations on topics I know nothing about!

Hi RingDing.

I've got this Pre-N wireless router plugged into my telewest modem. The Pre-N thing gives you much higher bandwidth apparantly. I got it about a year ago, it's been fine, and the setup disk it came with was very easy to use.

Wotcha! :D

Easy to use? Music to my ears! :lol:

I'll check it out.

Thanks!

I'm no IT bod but it was dead easy - instead of plugging into the modem your computer plugs into the wireless router and the router plugs into the modem. Then run the setup program and within minutes you should have a wireless link for your laptop and other stuff.

We currently run the wired connection to the main PC, wireless to my laptop (built in) and Matts computer in his room (via USB wireless adapter).

A word of warning - I tried one of ebuyers own, then a Belkin. Both kept dropping the wireless for no apparent reason, switching on and off was the only answer. Now run a Netgear WGR 614 and it's much much better.

Also - get a decent wireless adapter if you connect another computer that doesn't have it built-in. I got a fairly cheap one for Matt and the signal strength is not good (It's not the router because my laptop picks up a very strong signal anywhere in the house).

HTH Keith

Both of the Belkins we had did exactly the same thing. Utter junk. Not very fast either. The one we have now is a Q-Link, but I got sick of it and laid a cable to this machine, we couldn't get a good reception from downstairs so we ened up with the wireless on the end of a massive wire up the stairs. What's the point? Spare PC's still on the wireless network, it works OK but it's about half as fast as the cable.