Wireless on one laptop. a question

Father_Christmas

Keep reading about wireless networks etc but all i want to do is connect a wi-fi enabled laptop to the phone line without any wires. (my phone line box is in a very inconvienient location)

How do i go about doing this?

I'm on AOL Broadband.

Thanks for any help. I'm a novice!

paulherts

You will either need a router so that the laptop can pick up the broadband wirelessly.

If you have a PC attached to the broadband (wired) then an adaptor via USB or internally via card can share the connection with the laptop wirelessly.

The problem with the PC setup is that the PC needs to be on for the laptop to work.

I would buy a router (around £30) and then you will also have the ability to expand your network if necessary.

Good luck Paul

hollie.weimeraner

You need a stand alone wireless access point (adsl modem) that basically plugs into your telephone line (you'll also need a power supply nearby). Try asking about Wireless Access points on www.adslguide.org.uk someone on there will help with advice re suitable hardware.

LongDongDave

paulherts wrote:

The problem with the PC setup is that the PC needs to be on for the laptop to work.

Not really, once the wireless router is configured (using the laptop), it will work happily by itself and transmit a signal.

paulherts

Dave
You have taken my post out of context.

I was talking about using the PC, if there is one without a router.

As I said I would go for the router option.

Cheers Paul

LongDongDave

paulherts wrote:

Dave
You have taken my post out of context.

Apologies, it was late last night.

paulherts wrote:

I was talking about using the PC, if there is one without a router.

As I said I would go for the router option.

Cheers Paul

-TangleFoot-

A wireless ADSL router/modem would be best; something like this should suit you rather nicely.

Since you're on AOL Broadband, you should bear in mind that some routers are not compatible with their services, and that they only provide customer support for certain models. That considered, you should probably contact their broadband helpline (0800 376 4406) about it, as they will be able to advise you what to purchase, and how to configure it to work with your connection (AOL Keyword: home networking).

Take a look here; there's a link halfway down the page to a charming little video.

hollie.weimeraner

-TangleFoot- wrote:

A wireless ADSL router/modem would be best; something like this should suit you rather nicely.
Take a look here; there's a link halfway down the page to a charming little video.

Yes the BT unit is OK and in fact I bought this in a pack last September, that included a Laptop card and also a PCI card for a further desktop. It has basically done the job I required almost faultlessly. The onl complaint I have had is that the signal strength drops dramatically as soon as you put a wall in the way of the signal. If you intend working any great distance away from your access point I would personally advise against the BT 2100. I can't really advise which other unit to look at but a lot of the "experts" on ADSL guide seem to rate the Draytek Vigor units although they are rather expensive. The latest Belkin Pre-N units seem to get good reviews for speed and range here http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/03/07/review_belkin_pre-n/

The items themselves are available at ebuyer and will cost you about &160 for the router and the card.

Father_Christmas

Thanks for all your help!

One final thing!,


My lap top has 802.11b wireless adapter. More expensive laptops seem to have 802.11g which i presume is quicker.

Will this make much differance on 1mb broadband connection?

-TangleFoot-

All things being equal, it shouldn't make a blind bit of difference. 802.11b operates at a theoretical maximum of 11Mb/s, but since this is raw data throughput, you're more likely to see actual speeds of around 4-5Mb/s across a home network. It's therefore more than capable of handling a broadband connection of 1Mb/s, even at full pelt.

hollie.weimeraner

Father_Christmas wrote:

Thanks for all your help!

One final thing!,


My lap top has 802.11b wireless adapter. More expensive laptops seem to have 802.11g which i presume is quicker.

Will this make much differance on 1mb broadband connection?

As Tanglefoot states it shouldn't make a difference. The main thing is to buy a reliable router that has a good range. Your wireless adapter will not be compatible with the Belkin Pre -n that I mentioned above.