Wireless connection and Security (WPA)

espresso

Why dont you read the Wireless - Look here! sticky and learn all about it!

wolfman

Is your modem a USB or Ethernet modem?

You'll need an Ethernet modem to be able to run a wireless router. The router will basically plug into the modem via Ethernet cable. Or you could just chuck the modem, and get a router with an inbuilt modem.

I think virtually every router nowadays comes with WPA capabilities.

For just a router, something like:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00008DOYO/qid=1137691052/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_2_1/202-7756304-6883829

And for a router with inbuilt modem:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000TZ8Z8/qid=1137691285/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_2_1/202-7756304-6883829

If you really want a gem of a router (without inbuilt modem) try and get your hands on a KCorp KLG-575. They stopped making them, and most have been snapped up, but they usually go for around £35-40. It's a far more stable router than the above two (I've had the WRT54G and the DG834GT) and you'll get better wireless speeds out of it.

albertross_2

If you use wpa, you need a long random key, you can get one from here:

https://www.grc.com\passwords

If you haven't got SP2, you aren't patched, and are potentially exposing both computers to infections, I would run windowsupdate straight away.. on both laptops.

It may also help your wpa problem.

wolfman

Ooo good point about SP2. Plus doesn't it add WPA support to XP. I don't think it's in built before XP2.

albertross_2

Yes, that's what I meant, you can download WPA support on it's own from here

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=009D8425-CE2B-47A4-ABEC-274845DC9E91&displaylang=en

provided that your card/driver supports it, but running XP on broadband without SP2 is asking for trouble.

onedah might also want to run this, to checkout the laptops

http://safety.live.com/site/en-US/center/howsafe.htm