Accrington Web - View Single Post

entwisi · 30-03-2008, 06:02

sorry Dezt but can I correct a few things

1) only laptops have PCMCIA slots so as this sounds like a desktop unit thats not an option.

2) best NOT to run teh setup CD. I have yet to see one that adds any value whatsoever. all they do is add layers of indirection and confusion. Apart from the actual device driver you need nothing more to connect to a wireless network other than possibly the name(only if its been hidden on the router) and the security key(if its WEP you might as well turn it off as it can be cracked in under 10 mins on any PC now, If its a Sky router an they haven't changed it it can be worked out too as its a hashof the user ID which is also the ESSID)

I actually find XP to be better if you plug in the device and then point it to the CD for the relevant driver file, that way it only loads whats needed. Having said that I would actually tend to look for the latest version on the net on a different PC as the CDs that ship often are well out of date.

Re FC's original post, it scares me when you say " I poked it with a screwdriver".

untill the device is recognised you have no chance, when you plug it in, look in device manager to see if its been picked up, it should appear under network adaptors. If it hasn't try a different port to be sure, if still no luck try it on another PC.

You don't need anyting other than a wireless card assuming you do have a wireless router???? You didn't mention this but we are all assuming you do have such a thing already? How does your PC downstairs connect to teh Internet? modem or some other way? what ISP etc

30-03-2008, 06:02	#7
entwisi God Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Up Bash Posts: 7,827 Blog Entries: 3 Liked: 44 times Rep Power: 4390	Re: Internet on my computer sorry Dezt but can I correct a few things 1) only laptops have PCMCIA slots so as this sounds like a desktop unit thats not an option. 2) best NOT to run teh setup CD. I have yet to see one that adds any value whatsoever. all they do is add layers of indirection and confusion. Apart from the actual device driver you need nothing more to connect to a wireless network other than possibly the name(only if its been hidden on the router) and the security key(if its WEP you might as well turn it off as it can be cracked in under 10 mins on any PC now, If its a Sky router an they haven't changed it it can be worked out too as its a hashof the user ID which is also the ESSID) I actually find XP to be better if you plug in the device and then point it to the CD for the relevant driver file, that way it only loads whats needed. Having said that I would actually tend to look for the latest version on the net on a different PC as the CDs that ship often are well out of date. Re FC's original post, it scares me when you say " I poked it with a screwdriver". untill the device is recognised you have no chance, when you plug it in, look in device manager to see if its been picked up, it should appear under network adaptors. If it hasn't try a different port to be sure, if still no luck try it on another PC. You don't need anyting other than a wireless card assuming you do have a wireless router???? You didn't mention this but we are all assuming you do have such a thing already? How does your PC downstairs connect to teh Internet? modem or some other way? what ISP etc __________________ Ian Technical God, No 1 Geek And Linux Guru Have you seen my Flickr pictures?