wireless router what would you recommend

Linksys is a Cisco brand and is reliable.  Belkin is the low-end, inexpensive. Belkin is OK

Check http://www.techbargains.com periodically and you may find a real good bargain. Staples offers these frequently and they have the Easy Rebate system so it doesn't take as long to get the rebate back. I've had NO SUCCESS at all with Fry's Electronics rebates. They always find a way to deny the rebate.

My Verizon DSL came with a Westell VersaLink modem/router combo, so when I decided to do the wireless thing from my Dell 8300 Win XP computer to my Dell 4100 Win 98 computer (which had no wireless hardware), I decided to get a D-Link DWL122 USB wireless adapter, just to avoid having to open the 4100. I always thought of LinkSys as probably the best, but I've come to believe D-Link makes really fine equipment. If I had to get a router, I'd stare hard at what D-Link has to offer. You might scan eBay before you buy. I've had no problems with my USB adapter (about the size of my thumb). I don't have a complicated setup. Just two computers at home.

ok

i will prob get a Linksys will i have to buy anything else for it and also would it be a usb or a wireless network card

edit: would i have to get a specific router if i got a D-Link DWL122 USB or could it be used for all of them

and would my main computer hav to be turned on for it to be able to use the connection

Message Edited by 01dabreoo on 03-17-2005 06:46 PM

Message Edited by 01dabreoo on 03-17-2005 06:48 PM

Since you are starting without anything, I think I'd recommend that you DO get the same brand of router and wireless adapter. It'll keep things somewhat more simple and you'll have just one support org to deal with.

Regarding the necessity to keep your computer on in order to permit the other computer to use the internet, I thought at first that it would be necessary, but I DO NOT have to keep by "main" computer on in order for my "other" computer to use the internet. That might be a special case because my router is in fact both a modem for the internet AND a router, all in one black box (with an antenna). I don't know if LinkSys has such a combo, but since you already have an internet connection, I presume you also have a modem already connected. If you don't already have broadband, then DO investigate the combo modem/router. That's a nice simplification. You will need and wireless PCI adapter OR a wireless USB adapter. If your computers are at home and fairly close to each other, say within 75 feet, then probably the USB device will work just fine. Mine does. Both of our computers are on the same floor and within 75 feet of each other.
You also have to decide whether you want a "b' or "g" system. "b" equipment is cheaper, and should be adequate for a home installation. Everyone I know has a "b" system.

Hi 01dabreoo,

I installed a wireless network last May using Linksys products. I used a wireless PCI adaptor card and a regular router not USB.  Linksys has a educational site, that helped me understand wireless security http://www.linksys.com/edu/ . 

thanks for that info

just to be sure would these work well together

http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=37483

http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=59951

and http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=37480

Message Edited by 01dabreoo on 03-17-2005 09:10 PM

to be honest that sire just confused me more lol

would the products i put above work?

would it work if i used the router above and the usb above

You showed a LinkSys PCI adapter card and a LinkSys USB adapter. You can use either of those (not both) with the LinkSys router you showed. It's your choice. If you get the PCI adapter card, then you have to open up your computer box and stick the card into an available PCI slot. As an alternative, you can get the USB wireless adapter, and all you have to do is plug the cord on the USB adapater into one of your available USB sockets on the outside of the computer box. You don't have to open the computer box to use the USB adapter. I think that's a nice feature, but it's your choice. However, you didn't mention if you have any USB sockets on your computer. If it's an older computer, then you might not have any USB sockets. If that's the case, then you MUST use the PCI adapter card. Also if you DO have a USB socket, if it's an older computer, it is probably a "b" style (not a "g" style). If that's the case you can buy a "g' style router and adapter, but you will pay more money than you need to, because the "b" style USB socket will not be able to take advantage of the higher speed of a "g" style router and adapter. It WILL work, but just at a lower transfer speed. However, the "b" style, while having a lower speed, is still much higher than is needed for an internet connection. That's why I feel the cheaper "b" style will be adequate for your use and it will save you some money. I agree that you should visit the LinkSys site and look at their tutorials, or even give them a phone call for advice.

hi

i've decided to go for the router and the usb (i am going to get a usb pci card anyway)

i have heard that the usb is easier, and once i got my head reound the stuff i began to understand it

thanks

hi

i have been looking around and have seen that i would need to have my MAC address acctivated.

what is this MAC address

thanks

 

also, is there an idiots guide for setting it all up just to make sure i am going to do it correct

Message Edited by 01dabreoo on 03-20-2005 07:51 PM

You said that you are going to get a "USB PCI card" anyway. There is no such thing. You have a choice to get a PCI card that plugs into a PCI slot on the inside of your computer. Or you can get a USB "device" (not card) that plugs into a USB socket on the outside of the computer. In my case, my USB device is about the size of my thumb. It looks nothing like a card. LinkSys has a USB device that is much larger and resembles a router in appearance. It also looks nothing like a card and it plugs into your USB sockeet. I just want to make sure you understand the difference.

P.S. You asked if both computers need a wireless card. I don't think the computer that the router is plugged into needs a separate wireless device. I think the router serves as your wireless adapter for that computer. So I think you just need the router for the main computer and the wireless USB adapter for the other computer.