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Do I need a wired computer?
My boyfriend and I both have Inspiron 8600 and want to set up a wireless connection for our cable internet. This is what I would like to have happen...I want to know (1) if it is possible, and (2) how do we do it? Thanks!
We want to connect the laptops to the cable connection wirelessly without having a "wired' computer physically linked to the system. Would we be able to connect the cable to the modem to a wireless router and then we would be all set? Also, what brand of router is recommended... I currently use a lynksys system with my roommate's wired PC and my laptop. I've also heard good things about NetGear and Belkin.
All help is appreciated.
NemesisDB
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7944 Posts
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Posted June 29th, 2005 04:00
first off, make sure your cable modem can connect by ethernet cable to a computer or router. if it's USB only, you're out of luck and will need to buy a new modem.
that out of the way, the brand of router really doesn't matter. look for a standard 802.11b/g wireless router with a 4 port switch. you probably won't need anything faster and anything faster probably wouldn't work with your current wireless cards anyway. it shouldn't cost you over $50. The cheapest will be around $10.
you will plug the cable modem into the router's WAN port with an ethernet cable. from there, it will be possible to connect your two notebooks wirelessly. this said, it is nice to make a wired connection from one of the notebooks to the router when you're first setting it up. it's a lot easier to configure your wireless network settings on your router when you're not actually on wireless at the time! also, you'll want to hook up with a cable if you ever update the routers firmware. your notebook's ethernet port will serve you fine in the situations when you need a direct connection ... otherwise, both can use wireless.