HELP.....Wireless home network

mercman_3 · 16 August 2005 at 9:07PM

How
What

Do I require to set up my IT stuff at home as a wireless network?

I have 2 desktops and a laptop...can you also link printers?

Cheers

Pete

Dark_Forces · 16 August 2005 at 9:11PM

In brief you need a router and wireless networking cards and if you wanted you can get a dedicated printer router as well.

It is fairly easy to do but there are teething problems associated so don't get disheartened at times.

Whats your budget?

mercman_3 · 19 August 2005 at 4:49PM

Dark-Forces,

Thanks for the post, would idealy like to do this as cheaply as possible!

Would however like to get a reliable router n stuff as am running a smal business of 1 desktop at the moment and thus cant afford for it to be out of action

Any further advice would be gratefully accepted

Regards

Pete

budgetflyer · 19 August 2005 at 6:54PM

I can recommend "Belkin" products. Connected router. Didn't configuire automaticaly. Phoned freephone 24 hour helpline. Talked me thru all the settings -up and running in an hour. Installed pci wireless card. Run disk- found router first attempt.20 mins to get second PC connected to wireless network. Thought that was not badfor a non techie person.

JimArnold · 19 August 2005 at 7:20PM

Choose your router position carefully preferably in the middle(ish) of the house although I assume you will have a nearby phone point for internet access

Choose a router which also has direct cable connections and connect at least one PC by cable. that way if you get a problem you can still talk to the box. If the PCs are fairly close to the router use cable connections Cheaper and more robust than wireless

Many laser printers have networkable versions (usually cable) otherwise you will need a print server

Belkin kit is good but have a look at PCWorld to see what is on special at the moment - if you order on the net you can collect locally and pay the net price - can be 20% cheaper.

budgetflyer · 19 August 2005 at 7:34PM

Thats where I got mine. Normally I would buy off the net but Id heard so many stories about nightmares setting the stuff up I thought Id buy from a real shop so at least I could dump it back on them if it didn't work out.
I too have "hard wired" my router with the ethernet cable supplied but I think after you do this you can un plug it ,install a network card and the software should pick it up.
The main thing, their frephone 24hr support line will talk you through any problems. It was 11PM when I phoned them

mercman_3 · 21 August 2005 at 5:57PM

Can you please post exactly what it is i require to hook up qty x 2 desktops and a laptop?

Would appreciate your model and stockists suggestions also please

regards

Pete

MercilessKiller · 21 August 2005 at 6:19PM

Maybe I can be of some help for you mercman.
We desperately need to know if you have ADSL connection such as BT, or CABLE such as NTL. If you have ADSL you need an ADSL MODEM ROUTER which is more costly. I have posted both types below for you however so you can choose.

ADSL Wireles router (For BT ADSL (inc aol))
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000TZ8Z8/qid=1124644479/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl/026-1144096-0182814

Cable Wireless router (For NTL)
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00008DOYO/qid=1124644596/sr=2-2/ref=sr_2_3_2/026-1144096-0182814

You would need 2 PCI Cards for your PC's:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00008XYJ3/qid=1124644642/sr=2-2/ref=sr_2_3_2/026-1144096-0182814

You would need 2 PCMCIA Cards for your laptops (Make sure they have card slots in):
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00008XYJ4/qid=1124644687/sr=2-1/ref=sr_2_3_1/026-1144096-0182814

To connect your printers, the best option would be to connect them to a pc that is always on, such as a server. Then you can use File/Printer sharing in order for all computers to print on that printer.

You will have to turn ALL firewalls off and the computers and laptops including windows/norton/mcaffee firewalls, and they are not needed as the router is a hardware and a software firewall.

Follow instructions in manual on how to set up your broadband, and it should all be fine. If not post here with problems.

Hope everything is ok for you.

money_muncher · 21 August 2005 at 6:24PM

Who is your isp?
If your with AOL via a BT line it is v difficult to setup belkn support is great but even they have had a lot of problems with the setup.
U would have to use Netgear router which has auto setup takes no longer than 3 mins even for a beginner :j

MercilessKiller · 21 August 2005 at 6:26PM

If you noticed money muncher the link for a BT adsl line connection was a wireless netgear router hehe!

Rex_Mundi · 21 August 2005 at 6:40PM

You will have to turn ALL firewalls off and the computers and laptops including windows/norton/mcaffee firewalls, and they are not needed as the router is a hardware and a software firewall.

I don't know why it is neccesary to turn your software firewall off. I run a network at home using a netgear router. On my main machine I use zonealarm pro. This causes no problems at all and still gives me the option of stopping certain programs accessing the internet when I choose.

A firewall could possibly cause problems when you are setting up a network, but after eveything is configured correctly, they don't give any problems at all on a network.

HELP.....Wireless home network

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