guess I should ask this first!

According to the support / download website...the router should work with your Draft N card...just make sure to have firmware 1.0.1.4 for the Netgear router.  I can say this about the Draft N card...It is totally backward compatible with b/g routers.  I have the Buffalo WHR-HP-G54 High Power Super G router and have been running flawlessly with the Draft N card in my 1505.  Open the Netgear and try it out...many have seen connection speeds of 270mbps with the router and Draft N card.  Worse case scenario is that you use your old router to connect.  I opted for the Draft N card, with hopes that the standard, once ratified, could be achieved with a firmware upgrade.

 

BTW...Netgear, Belkin and Buffalo all have Draft N routers that are supposed to work with the Dell card.  Just make sure you have a decent return policy on the router if you don't like it.  Other than that...I don't see why you wouldn't keep the draft N 1500

 

Bob

Thank you for your reply.  What is firmware, and where do I find that?  Also, do I need anything else to connect the router?  The box says I need s specification adapter or a ethernet adapter and cable.  Does the router come with this?  thank you!

Most up to date firmwares for the Netgear N are here:

 

http://kbserver.netgear.com/products/WNR834B.asp

 

To set up the router...you need to connect via the ethernet adapter in your machine. 

 

Turn off power to your cable modem and router.

 

1.  Connect the cable modem to the input of the Netgear router (single green input)...then connect output 1 of the router to the ethernet card in the back of your machine (one of the yellow outputs...I prefer 1...doesn't matter)

2.  Turn on the cable modem...wait at least 60 seconds...then turn on the router.  Let both begin to talk to each other...should see all green lights on the router

3.  Read the manual for the router.  You enter access to it via your web browser...and typing in the url bar:  192.168.11.1  Then a box will pop up and in the username box type "admin" without the quotes.  In the password box type "password" without the quotes. 

 

You are now in the router setup...I suggest that you familiarize yourself with the following document:

http://kbserver.netgear.com/pdf/wireless_router_setupmanual.pdf

 

It is pretty self explanitory. 

 

Once you're in...look as to how to set up your wireless connection.  Make sure to name your SSID something you can recognize. 

 

BTW...if you have a desktop...the best thing to do is hook the desktop up to the router via Wired (ethernet adapter) and set up the laptop for wireless.  That is how I have my setup.  You don't want to change settings in the router via wireless...only wired. 

 

If you don't have a desktop to connect the router to...not a problem.  You can do all the setup to the router for wireless while connected via the RJ-45 cable...then disconnect it and connect the laptop via the wireless...

 

If you have any more questions...reach out...

 

Bob

 

I appreciate your help so much! I am still a little confused. (can you tell I don't know what I'm doing?!) Here is my situation.  I have an older desktop hooked to the internet (qwest msn) by a modem.  The modem is configured to wireless, which is how I am able to access the internet with my laptop now.  I know that I have no security though.  When the qwest tech tried to help me make the modem secure, I could not access the internet at all on my laptop.  That makes me think the draft N card is not compatible with the modem set on security.  My desktop does not have wireless capability.  I want to leave the desktop hooked up to the internet wired, while having my laptop wireless.  So when I hook up the router, do I only use my desktop and not my notebook?  Also, I looked through the manual you linked, and it says I need some info from my ISP.  Is it necessary to have this info?  If so, I will call qwest.  I am also not sure if the modem should still be on wireless, or if I should turn the wireless off the modem.  Boy, if it didn't cost 150 dollars, I would have someone come do this for me!! Does everything I need to make this work come with the router, or do I need to buy additional cables or anything?  Sorry for all the questions, but you have no idea how much I appreciate your help!!!

Not a problem.  The way I see it...you use your modem and disable it's wireless.  Then...the modem feeds the new router you purchased.  Wireless will come from the router...and also...the wired connection will feed the desktop.  Most routers are also hardware firewalls...

 

So...modem...to router...then wired side of router to the ethernet card in your desktop.  Set up your wireless encryption in the router (I recommend WPA-AES) for it is hardware encryption and doesn't suffer from any performance hits.  The manual I had you read will explain how to do this.  Keep going back and forth with me and I will try to talk you through it.  The first time is total chaos and white knuckle...but once you're done...you will realize how easy it is. 

 

As far as ISP information...as with mine (Time Warner)...the routers all recognize and auto set up...not even an issue.  You don't need to do anything here unless you want to specifically want to.  I let my router auto recognize and assign addresses...and the rest is simple as pie...

 

Bob

Ok, so here is my plan.  I will go online on my desktop, disable wireless on my modem.  Then, take the ethernet cable out of my modem while leaving everything else plugged in, and plug that into the router.  Then insert the cd from the router into the desktop and follow the cd prompts, and that should be it?  Can't be right, I know I am missing something.  Right?