My Own Wireless Network, through my Wi-Fi laptop

CrazyChemist_2

John_LG wrote:

Don't let the wireless part put you off. Just imagine what I'd be like if it was wired. If you wanted to surf the net on your laptop, you'd plug your modem cable in to dial up to your Internet Service Provider. So the equivalent with wireless is that you'll wirelessly connect to something (a router) that has the live broadband connection. The wizard only helps to configure this, your laptop is a receiver of signals, not a distributor. If you're not on broadband, and you don't have a router, you can't go wireless to get onto the internet. Routers don't work with dial up. Hope that helps.
Netgear WGR614 54Mbps Router is what I picked up for £45, but there are loads to choose from. This one had an excellent supporting CD and wizard guide.

Thanks for that, but how come I can't use the wireless capabilities to transfer files between my wireless enabled and someone else's wireless laptop?

John_LG

CrazyChemist wrote:

Thanks for that, but how come I can't use the wireless capabilities to transfer files between my wireless enabled and someone else's wireless laptop?

Excellent question.
That is possible. It would be called a peer to peer network, and you'd have to set your laptop to share your drives, so that other users can access them. Both laptops would need to do this, and indeed files can be shared, and printers too. Unfortunately (and I don't understand the technical reasons why) you can't access the other computers connection to the internet (and some other facilities). But to be honest if you only wanted to share files, using a memory stick or cd might be easier. Some laptops have an infrared port for 'in-line' files sharing, which is quick and easy. Another point though, if you have then shared your drives, they might be less secure when you eventually do dial up.
Confusing, hey? Hope you haven't been missold a laptop, I've seen recently the adverts including new small print - they certainly don't make it clear. (It happened to my brother-in-law a few months ago, so has a trailling cable instead, as he can't quite justify the cost of a router at the moment). We are really pleased we went wireless, as my wife has a work laptop that can now also utilise easier access at home. Not the answer you wanted, sorry, and good luck.

John_LG

just found the same router I bought but £6 cheaper! with free delivery.
Sorry, I'm not trying to sell to anyone, but if anyone is interested, I can recommend it. I've got ntl broadband by the way.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000C1WO2/qid=1143923688/sr=2-1/ref=sr_2_3_1/202-3276007-9319053

CrazyChemist_2

John_LG wrote:

Excellent question.
That is possible. It would be called a peer to peer network, and you'd have to set your laptop to share your drives, so that other users can access them. Both laptops would need to do this, and indeed files can be shared, and printers too. Unfortunately (and I don't understand the technical reasons why) you can't access the other computers connection to the internet (and some other facilities). But to be honest if you only wanted to share files, using a memory stick or cd might be easier. Some laptops have an infrared port for 'in-line' files sharing, which is quick and easy. Another point though, if you have then shared your drives, they might be less secure when you eventually do dial up.
Confusing, hey? Hope you haven't been missold a laptop, I've seen recently the adverts including new small print - they certainly don't make it clear. (It happened to my brother-in-law a few months ago, so has a trailling cable instead, as he can't quite justify the cost of a router at the moment). We are really pleased we went wireless, as my wife has a work laptop that can now also utilise easier access at home. Not the answer you wanted, sorry, and good luck.

Thanks again :cool: I'll look into this in detail so I can hopefully get up to speed with this... I bought my laptop from Dell, just a couple of months before the Inspiron 6400 dual core was released ah well I had to buy it. It's not great quality though - the keyboard looks shiny on the spacebar and enter key. I think Dell are best for the desktops - their laptops are flimsy and poor quality. And yes it was advertised (and still is in a newspaper today) that you can 'share files' via the Wi-Fi :mad:. I don't have Bluetooth or an Infrared port, and my standalone IR port can't be used because the laptop doesn't have the correct COM port. :rolleyes: Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr :mad: