HELP - Want to go wireless!

Question

Pretty computer illiterate when it comes to hardware and terminology ...have been using a PC with Tiscali broadband (UK) and have just bought an Inspiron 1136. It's apparently wireless enabled. I have advice coming from all quarters as to what I should do next and they all conflict. Some say I'll need a wireless adaptor for the new laptop. Correct??? Or does wireless enabled mean it has one? How do I find out?   I guess I'll need a router - does it matter which? I don't need my PC wireless, but some say I'll still need to put a card of some sort in that too. If so, does that mean dismantling the tower, or will one of those dongle things in the back do the same thing (as in the pictures on the PC World wireless kits). Have tried asking advice from different PC World staff and their stories all seem to differ which instils no confidence whatsoever.   Frankly I'm so confused I feel like sending back my laptop on the return option. Can anyone help????

volcano11 · Answer

Some say I'll need a wireless adaptor for the new laptop. Correct??? Or does wireless enabled mean it has one? How do I find out? If your new laptop came with wireless enabled, that should mean that is already has a wireless network adpater installed.  To find out, go into Device Manager, click the plus sign next to Network Adapters and see if a wireless network adapter is listed.    guess I'll need a router - does it matter which? It really doesn't matter - wireless routers from Linksys, Netgear, D-Link, and Belkin all get pretty good reveiws here.   I don't need my PC wireless, but some say I'll still need to put a card of some sort in that too. If so, does that mean dismantling the tower, or will one of those dongle things in the back do the same thing (as in the pictures on the PC World wireless kits). Nearly all routers currently sold have 4 ethernet ports on the back to enable the connection of up to 4 computers by a wired connection in addition to any that will connect by wireless.  If you modem is located near your desktop PC, then you can just connect the new router to the modem and connet your PC to the router.  It is really not that difficult and all routers come with fairly easy to follow instructions.  The only glitch that could occur is if you have a broadband modem that can only connect by USB.  This would be a problem since there are very few (if any) routers on the market today that connect to a modem by USB.  The best solution if the broadband modem can only connect by USB is to get a new modem that can connect by ethernet.   Steve

kitkatlady · Answer

Thanks Steve - this has given me something to go on. My modem from Tiscali is a Sagem. On the back it has a "line" connection point, and another that goes into the PC. This one is labelled USB, but it's a square silver socket, not the oblong one I usually associate with USB. the lead that goes into the PC has USB plug on it, and goes into a USB port. So does this mean that it's not an ethernet connection?

Will contact Tiscali and see what their suggestions are. Not sure how "getting a new modem" fits in with the 12 month contract I have for my braodband. We'll see!

Thanks again. Faith getting restored!

volcano11 · Answer

Some modems can connect only with USB, others can connect with either USB or etherent. It sounds like yours does connect with USB. Still, make whether or not it can also connect with etherenet. If it can only connect with USB and getting a new modem in not an option, then there still is a way to make it work, but it is much more complicated.

Steve

kitkatlady · Answer

Is it possible to do without a router altogether....to connect my PC to the internet via my modem in the usual way, leave the PC on, connect a wireless USB adapter to the back of the PC and have that generate the signals to my laptop?  (eg Linksys WUSB54G). Bit like my PC acting as the router. Or doesn't it work that way.

volcano11 · Answer

Yes, you can do it that way. To do it though you will have to configure both wikreless network adapters to run in Ad-Hoc Mode, then you will have to enable Internet Connection Sharing on the desktop computer and have it powered on whenever you want the laptop to make a connection to the internet.

Steve

kitkatlady · Answer

Thanks Steve. Think that might do the trick for me with pennies at a premium! Really appreciate your help. kkl

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

HELP - Want to go wireless!

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