Internet on my computer

fc:stanley · 29-03-2008, 13:05

Right sorry if this is confusing. I have just a got a computer of someone which was a windows 2000 (millenium) because when i boot it up it says 2000 so im guessing it was but its now xp. I wasnt to connect it to the internet. I looked at the back and has no etherent cable input. I looked again and realised that there was no phone line either. I looked and looked and found where it was i got a scredriver poked through the plastic and found it but i really dont think it works. I was confused about these kind of things. I went to the computer shop and bought a wireless internet dongle to connect to the internet downstairs. I went to set it up and it doesnt work. I really dont understand why

Is it becase i have no modem , i really dont know. Could anyone help me and if needing more equipment to point me to it. Id be very greatful !

Thanks

Stanleymad · 29-03-2008, 13:08

The main problem is that it had ME on it

thats a virus in itself hehehehe

K.S.H · 29-03-2008, 13:40

You don't need a modem if your using a wireless card/dongle, I take it the router has been secured?? you'll need to set the card/dongle up with your SSID this has to be the same for all devices connecting to the router, you'll also need the wep, wpa/psk password that has been used

cmonstanley · 29-03-2008, 13:42

plus sometimes your usb port isnt fast enough on some old computers

fc:stanley · 29-03-2008, 13:52

Right i get that K.S.H about the wep key etc and security but when i put the usb dongle in , nothing happens on the screen what so ever , it doesnt say like its found something and then it came with a software disc which wont then set it up for some reason. When i put my phone usb in to the computer it works fine so its not the usb. Ill take it back and see.

dezt · 29-03-2008, 22:22

I would suggest using a PCMCIA wireless card, that's what I use on an old HP Omnibook 6000 running windows 2000, it connects to my BT homehub fine.

The settings you will require are the SSID (network name) and WEP/WPA Key (Security Key). best bet is to run the setup program from the cd that comes with either a PCMCIA card or USB dongle first, then plug the hardware in, XP prefers it that way.

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

Neil · 30-03-2008, 07:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by entwisi

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

Are you really sure about that? The first time I played with wireless stuff it was using PCMCIA cards in standard PC's using adapters like below.

Quote:

Originally Posted by entwisi

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

That is exactly what I was going to ask.

He never told us how the downstairs PC connects to the internet. I am also a bit worried about this screwdriver poking bit. Maybe you could take a picture of the back of your PC for us so we can see the ports.

Is this PC a branded one or one built up by someone?

This hole you poked out with a screwdriver, is it on the front by any chance? Several PC cases have front USB ports that are not connected to the motherboard. It it needed a screwdriver to poke a cover off then this might be the case. You might have plugged it into a non connected port.

Try plugging the wireless dongle in at the back of the PC. It should have USB ports next to the keyboard and mouse connectors. A picture would be nice though.

entwisi · 30-03-2008, 08:05

yeh, OK you got me, I knew about those adaptors but as I haven't seen one in AGES I made the assumption they weren't available still. I would say that i'd much rather a PCI wifi card then a trying to use something over cardbus(particularly in Vista which hates teh cardbus implementation on most Dell and Acer laptops.)

USB does seem to work quite well tbh, I've never had an issue with it from reliability POV once you get teh drivers installed

Neil · 30-03-2008, 08:56

Most usb wifi adapters have naff built in aerials though don't they? The more expensive ones have a "proper" one.

andrewb · 30-03-2008, 10:51

Unless he's in a lead house normal wifi adapaters are fine. My mum has a USB one with no aerial and the computer is upstairs, router downstairs. All works fine.

Neil · 30-03-2008, 11:31

You should try it in a proper house with thick stone walls

cmonstanley · 30-03-2008, 12:19

maybe try and put the hub software on as well i had that problem...and that worked have you got a voyager bt dongle..

fc:stanley · 30-03-2008, 16:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by entwisi

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

Haha well i saw the bit where the phone line for the computer was but it was covered by the plastic of the tower. I got a screwdriver and poked it through so found that.

The computer downstairs is a very good computer and a recent one so decided to see if the usb dongle would work on that and it doesnt pick it up and nothing comes on screen like new hardware found so im guessing there is deffinatly something wrong with that which is the problem.

We have a desktop computer downstairs in the conservatory which has wireless already in it like a laptop which connects to the wireless router in the porch.

I hope this all makes sense

cmonstanley · 30-03-2008, 20:56

which wireless hub are you using?