Wireless network help for a complete newbie......!

JSACKS,

You will need two pieces of networking gear.  First, a wireless access point/router, like the Linksys WRT54G.  Other brands are available such as Netgear, Belkin and D-Link.  Stay away from the TrueMobile products, just too manu problems reported.  The WRT54G supports 4 wired PCs and an additional 250 wireless PCs, all in a single homogeneous local area network sharing your internet connection as well as File and printer Sharing.  The cable modem will connect to the router's Internet port and the PCs will connect either to the router's LAN ports or wirelessly.

For your P2 XPS you can use either a Linksys WMP54G or Linksys WUSB54G.  The choice is yours.  Note that at least Win98SE is required.  Again, other brands are available, but whichever brand you select, keep all the devices in the same family.

See this site for good information and tutorials on home networking.

Post back if you have additional questions.

Message Edited by _Paladin on 12-20-2003 05:51 AM

JSACKS,

The upgrade to Win98SE should be fairly painless since you are running base Win98.  I suggest you proceed this way:

1). Install the router and connect it to the D8200.  If the router comes with a control utility, don't install it.  It's not necessary.  Everything you need to do (if anything) can be done using the router's browser based configuration tool.  For Linksys routers, use IE and browse to http://192.168.1.1.  Because you have cable internet access (as opposed to DSL) it is possible that your ISP has recorded the MAC address (think of the MAC address as the serial number of the NIC) of your D8200.  ISPs do this to thwart service theft.  Because the router will have a different MAC address it is possible your ISP will prohibit internet access by the router.  To resolve this, you can contact the ISP and tell them you have a new "computer," giving them the MAC address of the router.  (Be careful.  The router may have as many as 3 MAC addresses: WAN, LAN and wireless.  The one you want is the WAN MAC.)  Or, you can clone the MAC address of the NIC into the router, thus tricking the ISP into thinking your PC is still connected to their system.  This cloning process is fully documented in the router's user guide.

2). Once the router and D8200 are performing properly, upgrade your XPS to Win98SE.  Then install the wireless adapter and get it properly communicating with the router. 

3). Finally, before you do anything else, use Windows Update and apply all the available Critical and Recommended Updates. 

Dear Paladin:

Thanks for the excellent reply with great info!  I am printing and bookmarking the pages you linked.

Can I upgrade from Windows 98 plain vanilla to Windows 98SE without pain or is it a big job?  Appreciate any further guidance if you are still there....

Thanks again!

JS

Thanks again, Paladin, I shall see about doing this and hope I live to tell the tale....!

JS