What do I need to set up a wireless network?

Question

Hi - sorry, totally untechnical! I have an ADSL router on my PC with a broadband connection. Have just bought a Dell Inspiron 6400 and want to go wireless (I think it's wi-fi enabled). So what do I need to go and buy - a wireless access unit? Leads? Any advice gratefully received! Thanks.

volcano11 · Answer

First, your DSL modem must be capable of connecting with ethernet.  If it can only connect by USB, then you will need a new DSL modem that can connect by ethernet.  Second, you will need a wireless router.   The router will connect to the ethernet port on the DSL modem,  will have 4 ethernet ports to connect up to 4 computers by ethernet, and will allow the connection of up to 250 more computers by wireless.   Steve

jolondon · Answer

Thanks diamond. We had an ADSL router but it's 2-3 years old and not set up for wireless so we went out and bought a new one (Netgear Super G wireless modem router). We've just spent 4 frustrating hours trying to work out what to do! There's an installation guide but it seems to get very technical. Will try again tomorrow - once we've set it up on the PC which is the main computer (not a Dell) linked to the ASDL router in my office, presumably we then link the Dell to the new router? How will we know how to do this? These things are so badly explained for a non-technical journalist like me! Do we put the installation disk that we've had in the PC in the Dell and repeat the process??? Help.......................

volcano11 · Answer

Once you have it set up on the PC that is connecting by ethernet to the modem/router and have an internet connection there you most of the way there.  You do not need to install any software whatsoever on the Dell.  It already should have everything it needs.  Just open Network Connections, right click the wireless connection and select 'View Available Wireless Networks'  find your wireless network (either the name you gave the router or its default name), and click on the Connect button.   My suggestion is go out and find a 6th grader to help you read the manual and get it running for you.   Steve

dallascowboyswo · Answer

Ouch! Steve that hurt..

Inspiron E1505
Intel Core 2 Duo processor T7200 (4MB/2.00GHz/667MHz)
15.4 Inch UltraSharp TrueLife Wide-screen WSXGA+
2GB, DDR2, 667MHz
256MB ATI MOBILITY RADEON X1400
120GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
8X DVD+/-RW Philips Drive
Dell Wireless 1500 802.11N Mini Card
Dell Wireless 355 Bluetooth Module (2.0 + EDR)
Windows XP Pro SP2
Bios A17
pur. Sept. 7 2006
WRT350N Linksys router v1.0
ZoneAlarm Pro v 7.0.337.000
Kaspersky AntiVirus v 6.0.2.621

bweed6 · Answer

harshness!!

jolondon · Answer

Maybe this forum isn't the place for me - sorry. I didn't realise you had to have a specific level of expertise to ask a question or be allowed to post. I am a journalist/editor/food writer, so it follows that my skills lie in a more literary field... not all of us have a clue about computers beyond what we need to know on a daily basis. In fact, I find computers extremely boring so am not particularly interested in working out the technicalities. I don't even know the difference between a modem, ethernet and router - are they all the same thing. Obviously did my university degree in the wrong subject!

volcano11 · Answer

Sorry if I sounded a bit harsh.  It is always very difficult to write pages and pages of details to help everyone on these forums.  Most of us would just be re-writing manuals that have already been written.  What I was trying to suggest is that it is always much easier to find someone willing to help get things set up in person.  I'm not sure why it is with computers, but when things don't work, everyone expects free help to come out of nowhere.  When it comes to cars, which we don't expect everyone to understand, we always manage to find freinds or hire mechanics to put things right.  With computers there is a lot of free help out there.  But it also requires some ability of the user.   The reference to a 6th grader came because I had just assigned my son, a sixth grader, the task of setting up the network printers so all computers in the computer lab at my department could access the printers.  He did a remarkable job without formal training, mainly because he has been messing around with computers all of his life.  Sorry if I offended anyone.   Steve

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

What do I need to set up a wireless network?

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