Wireless Router

lindsay ormerod · 17-09-2007, 17:11

I have ben told i need a wireless router to get t'internet on the daughter's laptop. How much ? Where from ? What else do I need to know/do ?

Ianto.W. · 17-09-2007, 18:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by lindsay ormerod

While we are on the subject.... I have ben told i need a wireless router to get t'internet on the daughter's laptop. How much ? Where from ? What else do I need to know/do ?

Your internet provider will supply one free of charge as a rule,if you have standard modem 'they are all different'. can be used also with Ethernet cable, but some only support 1 pc, so you would only be able to use 1 at once, all will need driver disc installing. Get a router that supports multiple pcs.

***Mr D*** · 17-09-2007, 18:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by lindsay ormerod

While we are on the subject.... I have ben told i need a wireless router to get t'internet on the daughter's laptop. How much ? Where from ? What else do I need to know/do ?

Is the laptop Wifi Enabled already?

What are you looking to connect it to?

lindsay ormerod · 17-09-2007, 20:08

It's an Acer Aspire 5630; it has a sticker on the front saying 802.11a/b/g wireless LAN.
Also mentions Acer signalup antenna technology ( ??**!!??)
What do you guys in the know think ?

lindsay ormerod · 17-09-2007, 20:09

Oh, I am on Talk talk broadband at home.

***Mr D*** · 17-09-2007, 21:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by lindsay ormerod

It's an Acer Aspire 5630; it has a sticker on the front saying 802.11a/b/g wireless LAN.
Also mentions Acer signalup antenna technology ( ??**!!??)
What do you guys in the know think ?

What router do you use with talk talk.

I use BT home hub and could probably connect that straight away to it without any adapter.

entwisi · 18-09-2007, 09:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ianto.W.

Your internet provider will supply one free of charge as a rule,if you have standard modem 'they are all different'. can be used also with Ethernet cable, but some only support 1 pc, so you would only be able to use 1 at once, all will need driver disc installing. Get a router that supports multiple pcs.

Routers by definition support more than one PC. It couldn't be a 'router' if it didn't. You probably already have a modem. Iy is possible to just share teh connection from your PC but it does mean that teh PC needs to be on (maybe a good thing to restrict useage???)

None will 'NEED' the driver disc, as someone who has been setting up networks for years there is actually very little a driver disk can do with regards to configuring a network. You need to know a few things thats all. The laptop (mines an Acer with teh same wifi setup) will already have teh necessary drivers installed.

With wireless networks the only complocations come when people try to setup a laptop etc to an already locked down network. You need to understand what security has been applied, all passphrases and any other bits of security. e.g. if I locked down my router to use only MAC address filtering no disc in teh world will ever make a successful connection as my router will ignore teh PC trying to connect.

Lindsey, to your original request. You need a modem router, I would recommend a Netgear DG834 as these are easy to setup and seem to be very reliable, I also like Linksys kit and dislike Belkin but each techie will always have their favourites, its a bit liek taste in music

. you connect it to a PC initially by cable and enable the wifi bit. then you should be able to connect via wireless. At this point you can start aplying whatever security you want. for most people just turning on WPA2 encryption should be enough. The super paranoid will lock to MAC adresses, change teh Network name to a really obscure numer/letter/symbol combo and set it to 'hidden' .

Ian

lindsay ormerod · 18-09-2007, 18:00

Just rung Talk Talk and asked them about a router; they quoted me £50 for a Netgear package. Does that sound about right ?

BERNADETTE · 18-09-2007, 18:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by lindsay ormerod

Just rung Talk Talk and asked them about a router; they quoted me £50 for a Netgear package. Does that sound about right ?

Asked advice again and am told that is a good price.

entwisi · 18-09-2007, 19:14

its about right, you might get one for £40 if you catch them on offer. (Actually this is one of the things that PC world do at reasonable price on bank hols etc and as long as you know exactly what you want its OK to buy there

)

For info they also make you safer on the Internet so you are buying a fair amount of protection as well

lindsay ormerod · 18-09-2007, 19:18

Ok, it looks like we will be having one of those then ! And I thought it would be cheap !