Help with networking please! Very confused....

telly-addict

I have read through the many threads on home networking and getting progressively more confused! I would appreciate any assistance with my query.

We have two desktop PCs in neighbouring rooms and we want to be able to access the broadband internet connection on both.

Our main PC uses broadband, runs Windows XP and apparently has a 1394 Net adapter and a 'Realtek RTL 8139/810x Family fast' network card which is currently has 'Network cable unplugged' shown on Network connections.

What does that mean?

Our second PC is also on Windows XP and it doesn't seem to have a network card fitted. Not confident about fitting a network card so presumably I need to fit an adapter via a USB connection?

Once the second PC has an adapter is it just a matter of connecting the two, either with an ethernet cable (?) or wirelessly? Probably prefer not to have a cable running, although if there is a large difference in price, it might influence our decision.

What would we need for a wireless network connection?

Thanks in advance for any help!

Realist

Starters:

1) Buy a wifi router and a wifi network card.
2) Install the wifi card into the 2nd PC (so you dont need to run cables everywhere).
3) Setup the router via the main PC.

Basically thats it.

Example router: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=44997&item=5793286560&rd=1

Example network card: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=45001&item=5792676941&rd=1

Help pages:

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,4149,1276145,00.asp

http://www.oreillynet.com/pub/a/wireless/2003/03/21/home_wifi.html

http://www.oreillynet.com/pub/a/wireless/2003/03/21/home_wifi.html

http://www.wi-fi.org/OpenSection/design.asp?TID=2

http://www.5starsupport.com/tutorial/wireless.htm

'Network cable unplugged" means that no cable or routers etc is plugged into your network card on that PC.

Hope this helps.

Brian

telly-addict

What would I need instead of a network card for the second PC? Would an adapter into the USB be just as good? They seem to cost £20-30. Is it just a case of plugging it in?

Where does the router go? In between the PC and the modem? Sorry to be clueless.....

Thanks!

peter_the_piper

I have a wireless/modem/router which receives the broadband signal and allows you to either connect up to 4 computers using cable or a number of computers using a wireless connection. Each computer needs its own wireless receiver which is usually a card which is fitted into the back. I have three computers running off one modem, the two in my house run with excellent signal strength and my mother-in-laws one has a weak signal, but as this is over 50m away this is to be expected. XP does a good job of finding the signal and the Belkin receiver automatically configures the card.
Usually it is reasonably easy to set up but if any problems occur there are more knowledgible people on here who can help.

telly-addict

Also, I have read you have to be careful which type of router you have, as they don't all go with all sorts of DSL modems. Is that right? Currently using Speedtouch modem for Tesco broadband.

From what I have read on the Speedtouch website, I would have to replace their modem with something like this:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00080K42Q/ref=pd_rhf_p_1/026-7533582-4022817

How easy is it to set up a different modem with all your details from your Broadband provider? Presumably you can change any make of modem regardless of your broadband provider?

Switan

Yes that router would work. As you have ADSL you would need a router containing a DSL modem, as this one does.

The router would need to be placed near a phone socket for the cable between the socket and the router.

If you are not confident about fitting cards into the computer you should use USB wireless adapters.

If one of your PC's is located near the router you could connect the PC to the router via an ethernet cable, from the 'Realtek RTL 8139/810x Family fast' network card socket to one of the sockets on the router. This would mean you would only need 1 USB adapter for the other PC.

You should be able to use any ADSL modem with an ADSL connection, it would state in the manual how to set it up for your connection.