Wireless Access At Home 22 September 2004 at 1:39AM in Broadband & Internet Access 9 replies 2.4K views

LionKing

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

rygon

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

Woby_Tide

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

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

help with what? making it less unsightly?

Jimble

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

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

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

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

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