Question about wireless

Question

I'm thinking on purchasing a laptop. I need information on wireless internet connection. How do I go about making a wireless connection if the laptop is the only computer I have? I guess what I am asking is... do you have to have your modem actually connected to a computer & phoneline or can you connect just a modem to the phone line and be able to connect wirelessly with your laptop? I'm confused ?!?!? Please help, thanks!!

_Paladin · Answer

weav1,   Your question is a little unclear, but here's some helpful information.   When you purchase the laptop, make sure it is configured with a wireless network adapter.  If you are considering a Dell laptop, both Intel and Truemobile (the Dell brand) wireless adapters are typically offered.  Stay away from the Intel.  These forums are riddled with Intel problems.   If you want to connect wirelessly at home, yes, you can do that with only one PC - the laptop.  You need a broadband internet connection to your home such as DSL from the phone company or cable internet access from the cable TV company.  Your question mentioned a phone line so it sounds like you are considering DSL.  Typically the phone company provides the DSL modem, to which you need to connect a wireless router.  However, some phone companies, Verizon for instance, may provide a DSL modem that also has a self contained wireless router in it.  In that case, you need no additional equipment.  So it is important to determine what the phone company is providing.    If you are geting your broadband internet access from the cable company, you will need a cable modem and wireless router.  The modem is usually leased to you by the cable company, although they often allow you to buy your own.  The router is always the customer's responsibility.  Get a brand name router from Linksys, DLink, Netgear or Belkin.   In either of the above cases, you should first connect the laptop to the wireless router (or wireless modem/router) using an ethernet cable.  This will allow you to properly configure the wireless router for wireless networking.  Once that's done, you can disconnect that wired connection and use the laptop throughout the house wirelessly.  The configuration requirements are spelled out in the documentation that comes with the router.   Post back if you have additional questions.

mdwl · Answer

I have read some helpful information on this forum and now I am in need of some help...   I have a Dell Inspiron laptop that has been my main computer, but I have just recieved my new desktop Dell XP400.  I currently have BellSouth Fast Access DSL and was using it on my laptop. I just converted the DSL modem/connection to the desktop using the ethernet cable. (I want to eventually go wireless w/the laptop.) I have a NetGear wireless router and a Dell Wireless 1450 Wireless USB Adapter that I purchased w/the desktop. I am not very computer savvy, so I am not sure what I do and don't need to make what I want to work; (which is to be able to connect using DSL on my desktop and other times use my laptop wirelessly. By the way, my laptop is configured with a wireless network adapter).   I have inserted the NetGear installation CD, but it keeps telling me that I have to choose one network component to have the wireless router installed. I don't know which one to choose. The network components showing on the desktop are: Intel(R)Pro/1000 PL Network Connection, American Online Conexant D850 56K V.9x DFVc Modem, and 1394 Connection 1394 Net Adapter. The NetGear installation CD is asking me which one of these do I want to use? Intel(R)Pro/1000 PL Network Connection or 1394 Connection 1394 Net Adapter.    Thanks for any help you can offer!

_Paladin · Answer

mdwl,

A little friendly advice: Take a look at Denny Denham's tutorial about forum etiquette. It gets very difficult troubleshooting two problems in one thread.

To answer your questions, you have more equipment than you need. The desktop can connect to the router using an ethernet cable and the laptop will connect to the router wirelessly. Both computers will participate in the same Local Area Network and can access the internet simultaneously. The desktop does not need to be wireless, so you can return the 1450.

If you have not done so, the router's WAN (sometimes called Internet) port should be connected to the DSL modem's ethernet port. And the desktop's ethernet port should be connected to one of the router's LAN ports. The ethernet port in the desktop is indeed the "Intel(R)Pro/1000 PL Network Connection." Instruct the router installation to use it.

Since the laptop was originally directly connected to the modem, you may have to uninstall any DSL software that was making the DSL connection (called PPPoE software). This function will now be performed by the router. If you also installed the DSL software on the desktop, it should also be uninstalled. However, there are a few DSL providers that do not require PPPoE, so it's possible no software needs to be uninstalled.

The Netgear installation software really does not need to be used. All routers come with a browser based configuration utility and any internet browser can connect to it and make configuration changes. But since you have already started, continue the way you have been.

If you need further assistance, please start a new thread and explain your hardware setup and the particular problem.

BBraxton · Answer

You can eliminate both the v.9x and 1394, leaving only one: Intel(R)Pro/1000 PL Network Connection

mdwl · Answer

Thanks for everyone's help. It is now up and running perfectly! :)

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