Laptop/ISP/Router questions ...

MimiJane

Hi all,

I'm about to buy a cheap laptop, mainly as a back-up to my ancient wired desktop. I have a "wired only" router at the moment - a Network Gear, which I bought from my ISP.


I intend to use the laptop with an ethernet cable plugged into my existing router to begin with, but will want the option of using it wireless at some point (though it's unlikely to leave the house).


I'm presuming I'll need some sort of hybrid router which means I can use my desktop wired and my laptop wireless? Or, can my existing router have an add-on to make it do this?


Also, should I approach my ISP about this firstly?


Thanks for any advice.

Jeff_Bridges_hair

Most if not all routers now come with both.

GunJack

Post the details (make, model) of your existing router first, best check it hasn't got wifi hidden away in it first

MimiJane

Thanks for the responses so far ... it's a NETGEAR DG834

GunJack

Should have wifi built in already, what letter is on the end of the model number? should be DG834x where x could be G,GT, etc.

Inner_Zone

GunJack wrote: »

Should have wifi built in already, what letter is on the end of the model number? should be DG834x where x could be G,GT, etc.

Not if there is no letter at the end.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Netgear_DG834G

GunJack

Duh! forgot about that version ..... the only 834 without wifi !!!!! Oh well, new router is needed then

If you are familiar with the 834 series, then ebay has hundreds of them (all with wifi and a letter suffix on the end of the model number) from a couple of quid. Any wifi router will connect both wirelessly and via ethernet cable simultaneously

MimiJane

Thanks all. Rather than ask my ISP about another router, I'll try ebay.

mrbuchay

MimiJane wrote: »

Thanks all. Rather than ask my ISP about another router, I'll try ebay.

I'd ask the ISP for a wireless router as they buy in bulk and wouldn't make much difference to them! I did the same on behalf of my Gran and they sent one to her for free.

GunJack

mrbuchay wrote: »

I'd ask the ISP for a wireless router as they buy in bulk and wouldn't make much difference to them! I did the same on behalf of my Gran and they sent one to her for free.

...and it's probably not tweakable/compatible with line monitoring software/etc...