2 PC's and a Laptop -Wireless ADSL

MoneyMachine_2

I'm hoping to set my broadband connection up with the above.
i'd like to wirelessly network both PC's to my broadband connection and at some point in the future (when I get round to buying one) add a laptop.

I found a Belkin ADSL modem with a built in wireless router (802.11g). Will this plus 2 USB network things do the trick? or do I need to add something else??

Also, one of the PC is 2 and a half years old, what's the odds on it supporting a wireless connection??

Anyone who has already got this set-up, how much did u pay and what did u use as I'd like to go out today or tomorrow and get everything ready for my broadband switch on on Thursday.

Thanks for any advice

MoneyMachine

Chippy_Minton

The Belkin ADSL modem/wireless router together with wireless USB adapters or PCI cards is all you need. The advantage of the USB adapter is that you can place it on a shelf etc. near your PC for improved reception (the adapter is connected to your PC by a USB cable), whereas the PCI card is fixed in your PC.

If one of your PCs is near the modem/router it's better to connect that PC by network cable instead of wirelessly, for performance reasons (100Mbs v 54Mbs) and in case you need to upgrade the firmware on the modem/router. With this configuration you only need 1 USB adapter or PCI card for the other PC. Most wireless ADSL modem/routers come with 4 wired network ports.

For the notebook you'll need a wireless PCMCIA card or just 'wireless card'.

Your old PC should have no problems supporting a wireless connection, as long as it has a spare USB or PCI socket. The wireless support in Windows XP is much better than that in Windows 98, Me, etc. One of my PCs is 5 years old and that is connected wirelessly, running XP.

I bought the Netgear DG834G together with a WG121 USB adapter to network 2 PCs and share a broadband connection. Many online retailers sell (Dabs, Simply, Ebuyer etc), sell these as a bundle for around £94.

MoneyMachine_2

Well that answers everything - great.
Thanks a lot for the info - very helpful.

I also already have a speedtouch 330 ADSL modem. Is their any way I can utilize this otherwise I'll have to sell it - it's the one that came with my ISP.

Could I get a 'ALLNET Wireless DSL Router/Accesspoint 802.11G - 54Mbps???'

Or am I best just getting the new wireless modem???

Thanks again.

Chippy_Minton

If you are asking whether you could combine your Speedtouch modem with the ALLNET wireless DSL router, that is not possible because the Speedtouch 330 doesn't have the network ports necessary for connection to a router; it only has a USB cable for a single PC to connect to broadband. Think of it as a broadband version of a normal dial-up modem.

And using the ALLNET device by itself won't work because it doesn't have a modem built-in, so you'd have to buy a separate ADSL modem. It's much easier to buy a combined ADSL modem/wireless router/access point. The Netgear DG834G has all this plus a firewall, so no need for a software firewall slowing down your PC!

There are other good makes available - Belkin, Linksys, 3Com etc. (search Dabs) - but I decided on the Netgear and can certainly recommend it.

MoneyMachine_2

Great, sorted now. Went with Belkin Wireless Modem/Router and Belkin USB Wireless Network adapters.

Just switched it all on and its great.

Thanks for the help

Much appreciated.