Help with wireless network equipment

mleonard79

hi all,
Sorry if this has been asked before. We currently have two desktop pcs in the house - mine and my brother's. They are both a couple of years old so I don't think they would be wireless enabled. We are paying seperately for internet access - I have broadband and my brother has still been on dial-up but wants to get broadband now too. I've been thinking that it would therefore save us money if we could link our computers together and share the same broadband connection. However I'm not entirely sure exactly what equipment I need to buy to do this. I know I need a wireless adsl router (we have a bt line) and I think I would need two wireless pc cards (no idea what type though) and maybe a usb adaptor?? If anyone could tell me exactly what I would need and the best brands to buy and the best places to buy them I'd be grateful for the help. Thanks a lot!

Michelle

nelly05

Hi michelle,

there is a couple of ways you can do it.

1No wireless adsl router - connected via wire to your pc for broadband connection.

1No wireless card / usb adapter for other pc to enable it to connect to your router.

That should do it. The usb adapter is porbably easiest to install as you just plug it into usb port - no opening of boxes.

There are a good few kits about which include both router and an adapter - i would not like to recommend one as mine is for cable not adsl.

PCWorld is probably a good place to have a look, and others on here will be able to advise make and model. But its just 1 router and one adapter.

Good luck

thewizard

I would probably reccomend a Belkin I use it, and have done for a while now. Ive had no problems and comes with pretty much every feature imaginable. New ones also come with USB connectivity! PC world usually have Belkin routers and a USB adapter for a reasonable proce (not sure what the going rate is now as I bought mine a while ago) Try a price comparison site such as Frooge and find a cheap one

cheap_plastic_spoon

I recently purchased a Hercules wireless router from ASDA for £35 and a Belkin card for £20 both work fine so far.Some peeps say to use same brand so you dont get problems.Buying from a supermarket makes for an easy return if it doesn't work,they know as much me.

thewizard

There shouldn't be any problem using other brands as long as you stick to wireless g, if you use the belkin Pre N equipment you must only buy Pre N Belkin equipment

mleonard79

Hi everyone, thanks for your replies. Sorry to sound like a tech dummie but do you mean that I only need a wireless router like the belkin one to plug into my computer and a usb adaptor for my brother's pc? Or do I still need two pc cards (one for both pcs?) Also if anyone knows of any good sites to buy from that'd be great. Should I try ebay or steer clear with this kind of equipment? Thanks a lot again.

Michelle

cheap_plastic_spoon

Hi Michelle,you dont say how you're connected to the broadband eg.usb or ethernet cable ,mine is connected thru an ethernet cable to my network card(ethernet port).You should only need 1 card/usb for your bro and cable to yours.Your ISP may sell/support various wireless kit so that might one way to go.Other considerations are how far the pcs are apart ,what type of walls and floor the signal will have to pass thru,the Hercules usb stick comes with a cradle so you can position it to get the best reception.
I've bought stuff from scan.co.uk ,ebuyer.com(some hate with a passion) and dabs.com without any probs,but scan may give best support.

Aiadi

Hi, Here is what I use and they work really perfectly. You would however need some PC knowledge to be able to set a network up.

For the main PC:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000A2IV2M/ref=br_ce_ts_4/026-3779612-7625253

and for the second PC:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0002AGIAY/ref=br_lf_ce_4/026-3779612-7625253

I have to say that I had them for cheaper when they were on offer so you may be able to get them slightly cheaper if you shop around. Hope this helps.

DonnyDave

You can connect your computers to the Modem/Router, either by wireless or wired connections.

If your computer is near the telephone connection (I assume it is as you currently connect to the net using that method), then you could wire your computer to the router using a network cable and connect your brother's PC via wireless.

Alternatively, if you can run a wire to your brother's computer, then there's no need for wireless.

However, to connect to the computer using a wire, it must have a network socket. If it doesn't then you will need a card to allow you to plug in a network cable into.

Alot of modern PCs come with network cards, so have a look at what yours has.

thewizard

There is also another method that can be used, you can buy special wot i can really only describe as boxes.

What you do is plug them into a electrical socket in one room, and connect it to the pc. Then Plug another one into an electrical socket somewhere else in your house. Then magically the internet is shared to everywhere in your house via your electric supply. Its securer than WiFi as you must be in your house to do it. Although I cant remember the cost or how it plus into your pc but I am asuming that it is via Ethernet cables.

The problem with running a cable between the two computers is that (if done directly) you can only use the internet on the laptop if your main computer which is connected to the internet is swicthed on.

If you wanted to use wires you could also opt to use a wired router, which is almost the same as a wireless one, but (funnily enough) theres no wireless!

mleonard79

Hi Cheap Plastic Spoon,
I'm connected via an adsl modem using a usb cable. The other computer is 1 room away across the hall and its a flat so its all on the same level. The walls are relatively thick but I think due to the fact the two computers aren't too far apart I should hopefully have little trouble getting reception. Donnydave, you're rigth my computer is right next to the phone line so the only computer that would need to be wireless would be my brother's - i don't really want to get into laying wires across the hall etc. I'm pretty sure neither computer has a network card - they're both over 2 years old. Therefore from what everyone's saying I assume I wouldn't need a network card for my computer, just my brothers plus I would only need the card or a usb adaptor but not both?? So does the card or the adaptor work best? I have seen a couple of decent prices on belkin and 3comm products on ebuyer.

http://www.ebuyer.co.uk/UK/product/87422

http://www.ebuyer.co.uk/UK/product/97523

Anybody have these brands? If so what do you think I'd be best going with? Thanks again for all the help.

Michelle