Idiots guide to choosing a usb wifi adapter

LMac

Ive read a fair amount of threads but getting a bit frustrated as I dont understand a lot of what is being written! I need an idiots guide!

Basically I want to move my (ethernet cable connected) 6 year old pc to another room that has no phone line in it, so I understand I need a usb thing.

I have a netgear wireless router (free from sky maybe 5-6 years ago - I honestly cant remember). I keep seeing n g and b in reference to routers but I dont know which one mine is - nothing on the actual modem that i can see, and I dont have any documentation, nor can I find any ref to it on my (wireless connected) laptop.

My daughter uses it for her wee online games and homework, so not intense gaming or anything, if that matters.

Is there one thats relatively inexpensive, but pretty much guaranteed to work in the pc?

Thanks in advance

BargainGalore

If the router is 6 years old it will be a/b/g. n only came popular 2-3 years ago at most

They are not expensive to get usb wireless adaptor from £8 - £20 tops

TakeThis

Two options:

PCI Card

USB Card

ddoris

Just get a cheapie , £5-up , from a source with good service rep/local

BargainGalore

True but thought I wouldn't mention pci as Op doesn't appear to be that technically minded and usb is easy peasy, sorry Op no offence meant

http://www.base.com/fsearch.htm?search=Wireless+N+USB+

I usually use Edimax devices for wireless and have around 3 in house

Most of the usb devices are backward compatable ie will do n,g,b,a

TakeThis wrote: »

Two options:

PCI Card

USB Card

LMac

Wow -thanks for the speedy replies!

No offense taken - Im def not technically minded and I did say myself I need an idiots guide

Will go have a look at the links now.

Bogtrotter

LMac wrote: »

Is there one thats relatively inexpensive, but pretty much guaranteed to work in the pc?

There's nothing guaranteed to work unfortunately. I have seen situations where wireless signals fail to pass through bison slab floors, thick walls etc. If you have a smart phone you could test the signal strength in the room where you want to put the computer. If theres a poor signal other possible options (but a little more expensive) are Homeplug powerline networking.

LMac

Great! sorted now and have gone with the edimax - thanks again everyone

LMac

oops - bogtrotter, I saw your post after I made my last one - I use the laptop in the new room regularly and signal is only one bar less than if Im sitting beside the modem, thankfully! I appreciate your post though

TakeThis

LMac wrote: »

Great! sorted now and have gone with the edimax - thanks again everyone

You paid more than double the price of my recommendation?? Why?

penrhyn

You would have been better off using a pair of homeplugs for a static PC.

http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=110819&PHPSESSID=mh09lvu12jtb7n72jv1v5nmdi0 or similar.