Wireless Question

Charlie Campney · From: The Villages, FL

I would like to get a laptop and rig it for wireless so I can use it in other areas of the house. Do I need a card in my main PC? My main PC is a Gateway Media Center so I can't put a card in it. I have DSL with a separate modem. How are these systems usually configured? What is the approx cost of setting this up?

Thanks

[This message was edited by Charlie Campney on 22 October 2004 at 05:32 AM.]

Chippy Wood · From: Elgin, Scotland

Hi Charlie,
We just tried to rig up a wireless system and we used a modem router and (plugs in line to the computer via the network port) then we placed a wireless network card into a laptop, This setup worked perfectly apart from 3 things, The thickness of walls can affect signal/distance and also if the walls are constructed of plasterboard with a foil backing then this can also diminish the signal and you may have to put some sort of booster in place.

I live in a very old mansion and the walls are 2'00" in places, we can't transmit signals other than just outside the room where the main computer is. I will have to wire a booster probably half way through the house to get a substantial signal elsewhere. Price to date approx $300 for a Booster and router and card for the laptop.

Very good system when used in near proximity.

Hope this helps.
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Ron (Chippy) Wood
Emmons D10
Carter SD10

[This message was edited by Chippy Wood on 22 October 2004 at 07:14 AM.]

Mark Ardito · From: Chicago, IL, USA

Charlie,

You will not need any additional equipment for your "desktop" PC, but you will need something called a "Router" for your internet connection. Basically think of a router as a "Y" connector. It takes a single source and makes it into 2 or many other sources. So here is how the flow will work.

1. A cable is coming into your house with the internet on it.
2. That cable goes into your DSL Modem (it is already setup this way).
3. The cable that goes "out" of you DSL modem will now be plugged into your Wireles Router.
4. Take the output of your wireless router and plug that into your Desktop PC.
5. Done!

Here is a Linksys Wireless router and switch (which is what you will need) for only $79 at BestBuy. Linksys Wireless Router

When you go to get your laptop, you can either have the wireless technology built right into the laptop or you can purchase a seperate wireless "card" that slides into your laptop.

The Linksys products are SUPER easy to setup and configure. I recommend them for that specific reason. You don't have to be a super computer nerd to figure them out. One word of warning. If you get the Linksys product, change the admin username and password. All Linksys routers are shipped with the same admin username and password. That is a very easy way of letting the wrong people into your house!

Let me know if you need any additional info and I would be happy to get you going in the right direction.

Cheers!
Mark

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Sho~Bud Pro I, Fender D-8 (C6&E13) http://www.darkmagneto.com

Gene Jones · From: Oklahoma City, OK USA, (deceased)

I also tried a wireless system, but a brick wall and insulation interfered with the signal to my target area...my wife's office at the opposite end of our house.

I then returned the "Wireless System" and replaced it with a "Linksys Router". Because I ran the cable myself (about 80'), the cost of the two systems were comparable.

www.genejones.com

[This message was edited by Gene Jones on 22 October 2004 at 08:20 AM.]

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