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WiFi router for virgin media line

I have an iphone and have just bought the wife a new ipod touch for her birthday. We'd like to use wifi obviously. Currently we have a cable modem to the pc but would like a cheap, idiot proof, secure wireless router enabling us to enjoy our wifi on the ipods. Can anyone ponit us in the right direction please.
"Do not use a hatchet to remove a fly from your friend's forehead."

Chinese Proverb


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Comments

  • davester
    davester Posts: 4,079 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    you buy a wifi router, plug your VM cable into it, then computer can connect to the Router via cable, follow the router instructions to set up the router with a network name and password. Then the ipod and iphone , go to settings and find the network name, add the password and your ready to go.

    Might be able to get a free one from VM if you ask nicly
    Survey earnings total 2009 £417, 2010 £875, 2011 £574
  • RHYSDAD
    RHYSDAD Posts: 2,346 Forumite
    davester wrote: »
    you buy a wifi router, plug your VM cable into it, then computer can connect to the Router via cable, follow the router instructions to set up the router with a network name and password. Then the ipod and iphone , go to settings and find the network name, add the password and your ready to go.

    Might be able to get a free one from VM if you ask nicly

    Thanks for the reply. I tried with Virgin media but they no longer give away free routers, only wireless modems which are £60 plus delivery!! I told the surly, unhelpful lass i'd leave it thanks... :rotfl: I get all the gist about setting it up but wondered if i needed a specific router or will any cheap and cheerful one do the job?
    "Do not use a hatchet to remove a fly from your friend's forehead."

    Chinese Proverb


  • davester
    davester Posts: 4,079 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    edited 11 October 2010 at 7:35AM
    I use a belkin router

    http://www.amazon.co.uk/Belkin-High-Speed-Wireless-Router/dp/B0006374LE/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1286782323&sr=8-13

    This one infact, yeah i know its a g rating and the best is N but I never have a problem with it and is fast enough for me. In fact I think VM lines are not fast enough to even need an N router yet.
    Survey earnings total 2009 £417, 2010 £875, 2011 £574
  • RHYSDAD
    RHYSDAD Posts: 2,346 Forumite
    davester wrote: »
    I use a belkin router

    http://www.amazon.co.uk/Belkin-High-Speed-Wireless-Router/dp/B0006374LE/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1286782323&sr=8-13

    This one infact, yeah i know its a g rating and the best is N but I never have a problem with it and is fast enough for me. In fact I think VM lines are not fast enough to even need an N router yet.
    Okay. Another thick question. I only need the router to connect the iphones/ipod. Can i still use a cable connection to the pc. I don't want to have to buy a dongle etc.. Excuse the technically !!!!!! question... Thanks Dave.
    "Do not use a hatchet to remove a fly from your friend's forehead."

    Chinese Proverb


  • custardy
    custardy Posts: 38,365 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    davester wrote: »
    I use a belkin router

    http://www.amazon.co.uk/Belkin-High-Speed-Wireless-Router/dp/B0006374LE/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1286782323&sr=8-13

    This one infact, yeah i know its a g rating and the best is N but I never have a problem with it and is fast enough for me. In fact I think VM lines are not fast enough to even need an N router yet.

    N relates to the wifi speed
    not the line speed
    N allows you to use wifi at greater distances with a stronger signal


    to the OP
    all you need is a cable router
    eg one without a built in modem for ADSL users
    i use an edimax N router on mine
    this has the added benefit of gigabit lan for streaming ot my PS3
    only usefuil to you if your PC already has gigabit or you will upgrade
  • RHYSDAD
    RHYSDAD Posts: 2,346 Forumite
    custardy wrote: »
    N relates to the wifi speed
    not the line speed
    N allows you to use wifi at greater distances with a stronger signal


    to the OP
    all you need is a cable router
    eg one without a built in modem for ADSL users
    i use an edimax N router on mine
    this has the added benefit of gigabit lan for streaming ot my PS3
    only usefuil to you if your PC already has gigabit or you will upgrade

    If i just need a cable router does that mean i would do away with the modem i already have? thanks
    "Do not use a hatchet to remove a fly from your friend's forehead."

    Chinese Proverb


  • custardy
    custardy Posts: 38,365 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited 11 October 2010 at 8:00AM
    RHYSDAD wrote: »
    If i just need a cable router does that mean i would do away with the modem i already have? thanks

    sorry,no you keep the modem

    so you have
    __________'net' cable going to router_____LAN cables going to PCs
    VM modem>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>router>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
    and Wifi for any wifi devices

    whereas ADSL users use a modem built into the router

    this is what i use

    http://www.amazon.co.uk/Edimax-BR-6574N-Gigabit-Broadband-Router/dp/B001AIRPOA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1286783955&sr=8-1

    however if you have no gigabit or N enabled units then it maybe a bit of overkill
    I have PC's and a 360 on N
  • JasX
    JasX Posts: 3,996 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    edited 11 October 2010 at 8:22AM
    How about either of these? -both £20, wireless N access points (tho single band only, not dual band 5Ghz). one is faster with lots of bells and whistles, the other slightly simpler but comes with a free USB dongle.

    In both cases you plug your ethernet cable into an ethernet socket output from your existing cable modem...... (if you have a USB modem right now you might need to rethink -I'd suggest asking virgin for an up to date wired ethernet/non-USB modem for free and going from there, tell them yours broke or something)

    http://www.ebuyer.com/product/201376

    http://www.ebuyer.com/product/221826
  • Inner_Zone
    Inner_Zone Posts: 2,856 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    Firstly avoid Belkin for routers they have a terrible reputation, other product are generally OK though.

    Get this Netgear, it 's been around a while but it just does the job, I have one myself and VM used to give them away for free (FYI I bought mine myself):

    http://www.ebuyer.com/product/48546

    Or if you want N get this:

    http://www.ebuyer.com/product/166934
  • Inner_Zone
    Inner_Zone Posts: 2,856 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    JasX wrote: »
    (if you have a USB modem right now you might need to rethink -I'd suggest asking virgin for an up to date wired ethernet/non-USB modem for free and going from there, tell them yours broke or something)

    VM never did just USB modems for cable, they did dual port USB and Ethernet until a few years ago when the USB was dropped so they are now Ethernet only.
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