Setup wireless router, to connect to a laptop

gazza1988 · 13-11-2005, 12:54 PM

right,

i want to set up a broadband network, all that would be on this network would be my pc, and my sister's laptop (which is old and doesnt have a wireless network card installed).

the reason being, she wants to use msn, i want to do more important stuff, plus the pc is in my bedroom. my isp is ntl, who do thier broadband through a coaxial cable.

My pc's specs:
Windows XP SP2
AMD Athlon 64 3000+ processor
512MB RAM

Laptop specs:
Windows XP SP1 Home Edition
intel pentium II processor
363 MHz
128MB RAM.

the laptop was previously owned by a relative, they had a program on the laptop called "Belkin Wireless Utlilty" does this mean i have to buy a belkin router, adaptor etc?

can anyone give me a 'shopping list' of what i need to buy to set it up?

Zevon · 26-11-2005, 08:31 PM

I'm new on this forum seeking help with something but I can give you a few pointers on this.

That Belkin utility on your sisters router can just be uninstalled. Windows Xp SP2 can handle all the wireless activity. In fact I had to get rid of a friends Belkin utility because it was not playing well with Microsofts.

Shopping List

Wireless Rounter B/G I suggest Linksys because I've had a few and I like the fact that third parties put out firmware for many of the WRT models.
WRT54G and the WRT54Gs are both great routers for what you are doing.

Ethernet Cable for the Pc if you want to plug directly in to the router. I find that I loose a little bit of speed with an encrypted wireless connection and if your Internet connection is in the same room and the PC and soon to be router you can get the full connection plugging in.

Otherwise you will need a wireless adapter for your pc. Either USB or PCI (if you have slots left for the pci)

Laptop will need a wireless card. I'm sure its PCMCIA and you can find many cheap cards new on EBAY. I suggest Netgear or Orinoco G cards.

IF you don't go wireless you will just need to get a PCMCIA Network card for the laptop and another Ethernet Cable for it also and then plug them both in.

In fact this Christmas I'm doing a similar shopping list for my parents that are finally moving away from dialup. I won't have to find an internet coffee shop now just to check my email.

Good luck.

gazza1988 · 12-12-2005, 06:06 PM

http://www.bigpockets.co.uk/product....7098ac37123a00

would this be be suitable for my needs.

DJNafey · 17-12-2005, 11:03 PM

That router is 802.11b, which means you get up to 11Mbps transfer rate. That will be OK if you're on 2Mb broadband but, if you go any faster, you might find that you need to upgrade to an 802.11g (54Mbps) network.

Also, I think that, as you're on cable and are connecting through a coax lead, not a typical ADSL "phone" lead, you will probably need a cable-specific router.