How to get Internet on the Samsung Tab 2

stuzhunter

Hi,

I just bought a Samsung Tab 2. I currently have my broadband with Virgin Media with a modem connected to my computer. Do I need to buy a router to get wifi internet access? Do I need to speak to Virgin Media about this?

Any helps would be appreciated?

Thanks

BigRonW

stuzhunter wrote: »

Hi,

I just bought a Samsung Tab 2. I currently have my broadband with Virgin Media with a modem connected to my computer. Do I need to buy a router to get wifi internet access? Do I need to speak to Virgin Media about this?

Any helps would be appreciated?

Thanks

Unsurprisingly, yes: to connect wirelessly (As in "WIFI") you DO need a wireless router. You might get away with connecting the tablet to the interweb using an RS232 ("Ethernet") cable, but that would require your current modem to connect to your PC using such a cable.... but I suspect that it's more likely to connect using a USB connector.

Carl31

How old is your router? although you are hardwired for your comp, it may still have wifi

If you set your wifi 'on' on the tablet, it should pick up wifi signals locally. You can then select yours if available

Im_just_careful

I sorted a similar problem out for relatives.

They had a Virgin cable modem with a single (Ethernet) connection and no WiFi.

They wanted to connect a laptop wirelessly to this cable modem.

I installed a TP-Link TL-MR3220 and it did the job for them.

The TL-MR3220 does a few other things as well but it met their requirements for about £25.

The only trick to remember is that Virgin Cable needs the MAC address of the PC "cloned" on the WAN port of the TL-MR3220 but the instructions tell you how to do this.

For a cheap bit of equipment, I was very impressed with this.

victor2

Im_just_careful wrote: »

The only trick to remember is that Virgin Cable needs the MAC address of the PC "cloned" on the WAN port of the TL-MR3220 but the instructions tell you how to do this.

Used to once, but doesn't any more.

If your Virgin modem fails, they will replace it with a Superhub, which has WiFi (albeit pretty poor) built in, for no charge. They did for me anyway. They'll need to replace it for the "free" speed upgrade they're rolling out. Is yours due any time soon, or does it look like it's failing...?

Tao81

If in doubt ring virgin.
If you have your phone line with them it's a simple free call, ring 150.
I've been with Virgin for the past couple of months after switching from Orange and Virgin have proved to be very fast to respond and SO helpful whatever the issue.
I also have the samsung galaxy tab 2 and it connected wirelessly to my router easily, use Carl31's advice.

Tao81

victor2 wrote: »

Used to once, but doesn't any more.

If your Virgin modem fails, they will replace it with a Superhub, which has WiFi (albeit pretty poor) built in, for no charge. They did for me anyway. They'll need to replace it for the "free" speed upgrade they're rolling out. Is yours due any time soon, or does it look like it's failing...?

I have the superhub and have had no problems with mine?!!
Can be a bit sluggish to recognise a device when you first switch on (matter of a few seconds delay) but after that seamless! :T

Im_just_careful

Victor2

I found I had to do the MAC address cloning to make the broadband work about a year back. The broadband install was about 5 years old.

spannerzone

BigRonW wrote: »

Unsurprisingly, yes: to connect wirelessly (As in "WIFI") you DO need a wireless router. You might get away with connecting the tablet to the interweb using an RS232 ("Ethernet") cable, but that would require your current modem to connect to your PC using such a cable.... but I suspect that it's more likely to connect using a USB connector.

the galaxy tab2 doesn't have a network socket so wifi it'll have to be...(unless it's also the 3g version)..for the pedants bigron clearly meant rj45 and not rs232 :rotfl:

victor2

Im_just_careful wrote: »

Victor2

I found I had to do the MAC address cloning to make the broadband work about a year back. The broadband install was about 5 years old.

I used to, but that is years back. Now you just power cycle the cable modem if you change the computer or router connected and it doesn't seem to care.
Try it, if you're bored one day...:)

stuzhunter

Guys, thanks for all the help.. I have phoned Virgin Media and they said all I need is a super-hub router ( I only have a basic modem) and they are sending me on free of charge..and also increasing my broadband capacity to 30MB.