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Wireless Access At Home

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Hi,

I have just recently got a wi-fi enabled pda and have decided to get wi-fi at home. What exactly do i need? How much will it cost? Is there a difference in brands and which one is recommended? How can i wi-fi enable my laptop?

Thanks
Filiss

Comments

  • rygon
    rygon Posts: 748 Forumite
    hi, ive just bought a wireless network for my 2 pcs and internet connection. i went to the local pc world and asked them who were helpful. i got a router by belkin and a wireless pci.
    all you need is one pc to be directly connected to the router. (using ethernet). and wireless card (which you already have. you can fit 2 laptops and 2 pcs wirelessly and 4 pcs direct (more than enough for home.
    the router cost £60. i followed the instruction given and it took 10mins to set up. worked 1st time as well.

    this may help you
    http://www.howstuffworks.com/wireless-network.htm
    Smile and be happy, things can usually get worse!
  • Woby_Tide
    Woby_Tide Posts: 5,344 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    all you need is one pc to be directly connected to the router. (using ethernet).


    thats incorrect, if you have an router with built in modem no need for any PC to ever attach direct to router(apart from initial setup of course)
  • Jimble
    Jimble Posts: 394 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Combo Breaker
    On a related topic i have just got Wanadoo Wireless broadband, but have an unsightly wireless adaptor hanging out the back of one of my USB ports, my laptop has a WIFI adaptor built in but wanadoo wont help me as it's a 3rd party item....help please?
  • Woby_Tide
    Woby_Tide Posts: 5,344 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    help with what? making it less unsightly?
  • Jimble
    Jimble Posts: 394 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Combo Breaker
    Well, Yes.
    I want to use the internal wifi adapter, rather than the wanadoo supplied one, but they wont assist as it is a 3rd party element, even though its in my computer >:(
  • Woby_Tide
    Woby_Tide Posts: 5,344 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    right I thought you were talking two seperate machines.

    Make a note of all the seetings you are using the USB adaptor with i.e. name of router and any WEP keys etc., then disconnect it. If there is an internal wifi adaptor within "my computer" you should have some "Network COnnection" icons, open those and select to enable the "Wireless Connection". You'll probably then need to configure it with the router name and details as before
  • Hobo_2
    Hobo_2 Posts: 286 Forumite
    Looking to home wi-fi, bit confused though, so i get broadband (plug into phone socket) connect their box to a router, from there wireless to my PC & BT netgem i freewiew box with USB adapters fitted ?

    Is 802.11b sufficient for this set up, i only have USB 1.1
  • Jimble
    Jimble Posts: 394 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Combo Breaker
    Thanks Wobytide, the WEP key has more characters than windows will normally allow....... ???, and the wanadoo software is the only place i can input it.....
  • Woby_Tide
    Woby_Tide Posts: 5,344 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    when you open up the wireless connection for the device installed within your laptop you should be selecting 'properties' then on the wireless network tab you will see space to add your WEP key etc. and details about your network

    if the key is too big(not sure how) you may need to connect by wire to the wanadoo router, change the wep key to something shorter then input that into the tab. That said I think the keys are a set size to provide the set security so am unsure as to what difference wanadoo are putting in their equipment
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