Netbook + internet

consultant31

I'm embarrassed to ask what must seem like a desperately pathetic question, but here goes...

I have been given a Netbook (for Christmas but opened it early ) and I have no idea how to get the internet on it.

I have a desktop which is connected via a modem and I want to be able to use the netbook in a different room (eg when I go to bed early).

My daughter says I should get a dongle but I haven't a clue what a dongle is or whether it would be best.

I hope someone doesn't mind helping a complete numpty - please keep answers in words of not more than 2 syllables

davester

there are 2 ways.

Firstly what type of internet connection do you have on your Desktop? If you have broadband then you can buy a wireless router which will allow you to have your netbook anywhere in the house and connect to the internet.

second is what your daughter said which is a Mobile broadband dongle. they are basically a mobile phone sim card that connects to the 3G network so you can access the internet. you can get pay as you go for around £30 then you buy top up as you would with a PAYG phone, or can take out a contract.

If you not plan to use the internet outside your home with your netbook then get a wireless router they are cheaper overall and you should be able to usethe netbook in your garden or any other room. And it doesn't require you to pay anymore money than you already are other than the purchase of the router.

Below is an example, but someone else might tell you of a better model or better price, but Netgear is a good brand
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Netgear-WGR614UK-Wireless-Cable-Router/dp/B0000C1WO2/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1260729384&sr=8-2

Below is an example of a PAYG Dongle it plugs into your USB port on the side of the netbook.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Vodafone-K3565-Prepay-Mobile-Broadband/dp/B001P6KNQE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1260729574&sr=8-1

zzzLazyDaisy

Just to add, most internet providers these days give a free wireless router. If you don't have one, chances are you've been with your broadband provider for a time and it might be worth giving them a ring and asking for a wireless router - if they think you might leave they'll probably send you one.

In any case it is worth shopping around - for example O2 is only £7.50 a month unlimited for customers. If you are not a customer then get a cheap PAYG phone and top up £10 every three months to keep it live, probably still cheaper than many of the alternatives.

Or if you are with Sky, they offer free BB if you take up their free phone package

davester

Good point LazyDaisy.

Give your Broadband (internet provider) a call and ask them nicely

consultant31

Thanks for the replies.

Davester - I have AOL broadband, have had it for years and have just renegotiated my fee down to £12.99 a month. I'm stuck in the contract now for 18 months.

I have heard horror stories about being hacked through a wireless router - are they just scare stories? I use the free AVG on my pc along with Spybot and McAfee personal firewall (also both free versions). Are these adequate?

Thanks for your time both of you, I do appreciate it

davester

well you can ask AOL and ask them nicely that as you have taken them up on an 18 month contract that they could send a free router for christmas.

I think you saw the report on Watchdog or Gadet show about hackers sitting in starbucks doing more than having a coffee and danish. Where you have to be a little more careful with that it was a public unsecured wifi. Your router would be passworded which you put in the netbooks settings, Also when you set up your wifi network name don't make it obvious its your house too. My laptop finds about 5 outside wifi signals in my area, only 1 has a name I can link to a specific address.

4743hudsonj

consultant31 wrote: »

Thanks for the replies.

Davester - I have AOL broadband, have had it for years and have just renegotiated my fee down to £12.99 a month. I'm stuck in the contract now for 18 months.

I have heard horror stories about being hacked through a wireless router - are they just scare stories? I use the free AVG on my pc along with Spybot and McAfee personal firewall (also both free versions). Are these adequate?

Thanks for your time both of you, I do appreciate it

the stories apply to people who dont use security passwords and the like on the connection. Its the equivalent of leaving your front door open and mailing all the houses around telling them of this . Idiots.
As long as you set up WPA2-PSK encryption or something then you will be fine

consultant31

Thanks all.

Will give AOL a ring and see what I can get. I have to say I'm not terribly hopeful as after they agreed the £12.99 they sent me a confirmation email thanking me for taking up the offer at £14.99. It took me ages and lots of threats to make them honour the originl offer.

It's lovely that people can be bothered to answer what must appear to be really silly questions. It's been much appreciated

zzzLazyDaisy

If you end up buying one, make sure it is ADSL (assuming you have BB over a landline and not through cable or satellite). There are lots of apparently cheap ones that only work with cable!

Also, if you are in a hurry to get up and running buy on the internet for collecting in store, as it is cheaper than just walking into PC world and the like (and you can go through Topcashback etc for a bit extra discount)

EDIT: The only really silly questions are the ones you already know the answer to :-)

consultant31

Thanks lazydaisy. The modem I have is ADSL (BT landline). Could you suggest a good one if I do end up having to buy?

zzzLazyDaisy

Before I got my O2 wireless router, I had a Belkin which I was very pleased with (it replaced a Linksys which was carp). Also the Belkin has a lifetime guarantee, and when mine died they sent a brand new one through the post and it arrived within a couple of days. They didn't ask for a receipt, just the serial number (but keep the box, or at least a note of the phone number!).

But that was about four years ago, so there maybe better ones on the market now. You might want to start a separate thread so the techies get on board. But try AOL first, you never know. Even if they want to sell you one, provided it isn't too expensive, it might be worth it if the support is good (don't know anything about AOL sorry)