How would I Know?

tase2,

Open Device Manager and expand the entry for Network Adapters.  Whatever network adapters (wireless or wired) that are installed in the PC will appear their.

Best way: Yes, get a wireless access point/router such as the Linksys WRT54G.  The router's WAN port will connect to the cable modem using an ethernet cable.  The D4600 should connect to one of the router's LAN ports using an ethernet cable.  The Presario can connect to the router wirelessly and it will need a wireless network adapter if it does not have one.

See this site and this site for good tutorials on how to set up your home network.

tase2,

Yes it is fine.  The Intel Pro/100 VE is the standard integrated network adapter in current line Dell Dimensions.  You could connect this adapter to one of the LAN ports on the router.

Intel(R) Pro/100 VE Netword Connection

PCI bus 2, device 8, funtion 0. On the D4600. I will give you the Compaq when I go upstairs?

Is this one OK?

The compaq has Intel 21143/2 based 10/100 mbps Ethernet Controller.

I found my previous wireless accessories.

Linksys BEFW11S4 ver.2

Linksys WUSB11 VER. 2.6

They are a couple of years old now-do you think they will work?

Mark

tase2,

The Compaq network adapter you identified is a wired adapter.  So if you wanted to you could connect it to a router using a cat5 ethernet cable.

Even though the wireless gear you mention is older it is still serviceable.  The Linksys BEFW11S4 is the predecessor to thr WRT54G I mentioned.  In fact, I presently use the BEFW11S4 version 2 myself.  And I use it with a WUSB11 version 2.6 wireless USB network adapter.  You could install the WUSB11 onto the Compaq Presario (provided the Presario has an available USB port).  You have everything you need - go for it.

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@_Paladin wrote:

tase2,

The Compaq network adapter you identified is a wired adapter.  So if you wanted to you could connect it to a router using a cat5 ethernet cable.

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OK I'm a little confused by that.

Do I just attach the cable one end in the WUSB11 and the other in a USB port or is this something different?

 

Mark

tase2,

I was only offering an alternative since the Compaq has a wired NIC in it.  This link shows the Intel 21143/2 and as best I can tell it was not original equipment in the Presario 5240 and was added after the PC was built.  Having this NIC in the Compaq will not prohibit you from installing the WUSB11 on the Compaq.  The WUSB11 is, of course, a wireless NIC, although it connects to the PC using a USB cable.

How to proceed:  A very good User Guide comes with the BEFW11S4 (and the version 2 is the last version that actually provided a User Guide booklet; subsequent versions only published the user guide on the accompanying CD).  So follow the instructions to connect the BEFW11S4 to the cable modem.  Pay attention to the MAC Address Cloning information on page 50 of the UG since it is likely that Comcast has registered the MAC address of the PC currently connected to the cable modem.  The MAC address cloning instructions clone the PC's MAC address into the BEFW11S4, thus keeping Comcast happy.  The goal at this point is to get the router talking to the modem and ISP and then connect the D4600 to the router and get it communicating with the internet.

Once the D4600 is successfully connected to the internet through the router, go ahead and install the WUSB11 on the Compaq and get it communicating with the router and internet wirelessly.  The WUSB11 also comes with a decent User Guide, although it is on the CD as a PDF file.

Using the user guides and the two sites mentioned earlier you should have no problem getting internet access and File and Printer Sharing working.

Post back if you have additional questions.

tase2,

The Compaq network adapter you identified is a wired adapter.  So if you wanted to you could connect it to a router using a cat5 ethernet cable

tase2,

I was only offering an alternative since the Compaq has a wired NIC in it


Paladin

I would love to hear your alternative plan
you have been so helpful and it is much appreciated

Mark

tase2,

"I would love to hear your alternative plan..." - OK, now I am confused.  I thought you wanted to connect the D4600 to the router using a cat5 wired ethernet network adapter, connect the Presario to the router using the WUSB11, share the Comcast internet access and be able to File and Printer Share.  The plan I laid out in my last post will do all those things.  What did I miss?

Sorry

I am going to follow your directions. Just a quick question-what exactly is a cat5 cable-and if ness. where can I get one?

Mark

tase2,

Before you buy a cable, make sure you don't already have one.  Your router came with a short ethernet cable so it can be connected to the modem.  And, assuming your D4600 is currently connected to the modem using an ethernet cable (it would be a cat5 (or cat5e), those are the only two cables you need. 

Cat5 ethernet cable is a particular grade of ethernet cable suitable for 100Mbps data transmission.  Cat5e is also available and will work fine as well.  If the cable that originally came with the router is not available you can obtain another at virtually any place that sells computers.  In the US, outlets such as CompUSA, Best Buy, Circuit City, Office Max, Staples, etc. (even Home Depot) all carry various lengths of cat5 ethernet cable, sometimes called ethernet patch cable.  It will come with the RJ-45 connectors already crimped on the ends.  The RJ-45 connector looks like a telephone connector, except that it is wider to accommodate 8 pins vs. a telephone's 4 pins. One thing to watch out for: do not get a crossover cable.  The packaging will clearly indicate if it is a crossover cable.

Tomorrow or actually later today is the the hook-up day. I hope you are going to be around in case I run into trouble although I don't think I will as you have bee super helpful.

Mark

Paladin

I set up the network. The PC connected to the modem and connected to the router is working fine. Upstairs is another story. It picks up the signal 100%, but it doesn't connect. I think it might be an IP or MAC address situation. I will try some troubleshooting tomorrow. If you can think of anything in the meantime please feel free to bring on the suggestions.

Mark

tase2,

At this early point in the process, keep things simple.  Broadcast the SSID, turn WEP and MAC filtering off.  The default channel the router uses is channel 11.  You may have better results using channel 1 or 11.  Be sure to configure the WUSB11 for the correct SSID.  The first thing to look for is a valid IP address for the wireless network adapter on the Presario.  If you get one, try a few pings to the router and D4600 and then out to the internet.