Please help with router

angela2095

Hi, I am really thick when it comes to routers but here goes. I have a computer downstairs, a belkin router and a computer upstairs. Both share my ntl connection (I have a little usb thing plugged into the upstairs computer). This has been working fabulously for a year. Now, my mother has given me a laptop which is only a year old. How do I share my internet connection with the laptop? I tried plugging a spair usb adapter thing into the laptop and is says new hardware found but I cant install it because I have no drivers, I cant find drivers because I cant connect to the internet. A friend of mine said the laptop should automatically pick up a connection from the router!! Any help and I would be very grateful. Angela.

MercilessKiller

Ok first of all we need to get the terminology right.. "A little USB thing" is confusing

So You have a Belkin Router.. What model is it? And does it support wireless? (Model will be written on, and if its got an arial sticking out it supports wireles...)

The setup you should have is... Wall Socket to NTL modem, NTL Modem to Belkin Router, Belkin Router to Computers via either wires (ethernet cables) or wireless.....

When putting a new computer on the network and connecting it wirelessly you need the laptop to support Wi-Fi connections. If its not in built you can get Wirless PCMCIA cards which slot into the side of your laptop.

The windows wireless software would then detect your network and you can connect to it...

When connecting your laptop to the network you should not require ANY drivers except for as I say the wireless PCMCIA card..

espresso

What is the make and model of this new laptop? Are you sure that it does not have wireless built-in? You could get any drivers needed by connecting via Ethernet cable to your router temporarily.

angela2095

Hi, The laptop is a Advent 7081 well thats what it says on the sticker on the front. I dont know if it has wireless built in. What I'm trying to say is, I sat at the table with the laptop and just expected it to pick up my ntl connection (stupid I know) So what do I have to do to the laptop for it to pick it up. The router has got an ariel

MercilessKiller

Doesnt look like that model has WI-FI in built!!!

So first thing you need to be able to do is get the laptop a device to read the wireless signals. That comes in the form of a Wireless PCMCIA card! Search around for them on kelkoo.. there's loads and they'll all do

Once youve bought and installed one it can then pick up your internet connection

angela2095

Ah, Just read that this laptop is not wireless so can I use a wireless adapter?

angela2095

will an adapter work if I connect the laptop to the internet and download the drivers

MercilessKiller

When you buy a Wireless PCMCIA card it comes with drivers on a disk. That's all you need to connect it to the internet.

angela2095

Thanks, So can I buy any card for example the cheapest one on Ebay?

Chippy_Minton

Yes and Yes to post 6 & 7.

What is the make & model of the USB wireless adapter you plugged into the laptop?

angela2095

is a Netgear MA111