We're aware that some users are experiencing technical issues which the team are working to resolve. See the Community Noticeboard for more info. Thank you for your patience.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!

Wireless and a dongle?!

Options
Tiff_2
Tiff_2 Posts: 3,046 Forumite
Hi guys!:hello:
I'm hoping some kind soul can help me translate what I need into human please?:o

Got Vista Home Basic set up and I am trying to add a new computer within the house that is running on XP. I obviously want to have as few wires hanging around as possible, as it currently looks like the a wiring system for the Euro-Tunnel network.:rolleyes:

My computer is running on a Belkin wireless something but is connected with wires. I was told last night by a friend (have only got the one!:D ;)), that I need a 'dongle' to set up a wireless connection.

What does a dongle do, where can I get one and how much is the going rate?
Thanking our techie friends in advance for any possible help they can offer me.:A :T
Much Love,
Tiff xxx
"If you realized how powerful your thoughts are, you would never think a negative thought." ~ by Peace Pilgrim.
***
'You just got Tiffed!' ;)
***

Comments

  • aerostar
    aerostar Posts: 1,738 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    The dongle is a wireless receiver transmitter that talks to your belkin, and passes the same information that would go down the cable, and plugs in to a USb port.

    You would need to read the instructions that came with the Belkin unit to set it up, usually not that hard.

    The dongles can be quite cheap, or expensive !

    here are a couple of links both are 17.99, 1st from Maplin.co.uk

    http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?ModuleNo=45095&doy=13m6


    2nd from argos.co.uk

    http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/6753337/Trail/searchtext>USB+WIRELESS.htm

    Plenty around, some cheaper some MUCH more expensive. I use the cheap ones, and have had no problems.
  • debs626
    debs626 Posts: 665 Forumite
    Take a look here

    http://www.maplin.co.uk/searchtemplate.asp?criteria=WIFI%20USB%20DONGLE

    or google USB Wifi Dongle for a list of online retailers


    Not 100% sure of the Vista/XP wifi connection issues but all you will need to do is connect the wifi adapter (dongle) install the drivers and then let the xp pc do the rest. If you have encription enabled on your wifi router you will need to enter the pass code to enable your xp machine to connect to the router.

    I would recomend that you dont use (install) the softwear that comes with your new wifi adapter as this may conflict with windows.

    Simply, all the wifi dongle does is enable you to connect to other wifi enabled pc's, router's, games machines ect ect without wires.

    HTH
    MSE:-)MoneySpendingExpert (-:
  • Tiff_2
    Tiff_2 Posts: 3,046 Forumite
    Hi aerostar and debs626! :)
    Thank you both guys for taking the time to help - especially at this time of the morning!(HUGS)

    I'll just go off and check this out - I really need to set it up today as DS has Final Major Performance exam in Performing Arts next week and needs to use this wireless setup.
    There's Argos , Currys ad Asda in town. Be right back ;)
    Sincerely both of you - than kyou so much!
    Much Love,
    Tiff xxx
    "If you realized how powerful your thoughts are, you would never think a negative thought." ~ by Peace Pilgrim.
    ***
    'You just got Tiffed!' ;)
    ***
  • Tiff_2
    Tiff_2 Posts: 3,046 Forumite
    Hi guys,
    great - I've seen the one in Argos and reserved it just in case. While I was looking I saw on the same page this one:

    writeSEOBreadcrumb(); > Office, PC and phones > PC peripherals > PC networking accessories > Belkin Wireless G+ USB Adapter.
    document.write(extrasearchtext);
    doSiteCatalystTags(); 6768023SPA64UC221089M.jpg
    Belkin Wireless G+ USB Adapter.

    • £24.99

    Details

    • Enables your desktop or laptop PC to connect to any wireless network via your USB slot.
    • Maximum speeds of 125Mbps.
    • 35% faster than standard 802.11g.
    • Features wireless 64 and 128 bit WEP encryption.
    • Fits any standard USB slot, USB 1.0, 1.1 and 2.0.
    • Includes free parental control and pop-up blocker software trial.
    • Complies with 802.11g standards, backward compatible with 802.11b(whatever that means! ;) )
    Is this the same animal as it were, guys?
    Much Love,
    Tiff xxx
    "If you realized how powerful your thoughts are, you would never think a negative thought." ~ by Peace Pilgrim.
    ***
    'You just got Tiffed!' ;)
    ***
  • aerostar
    aerostar Posts: 1,738 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Yes, slightly different spec, but should be no problem, and it has a little stand rather than just plug directly into the port.

    Ignore the free software, ie do not install, there are plenty of freebies around should you need this, and most browsers can stop popups as well.
  • Vomityspice
    Vomityspice Posts: 637 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    www.ebuyer.com have wireless USB dongles for half that price delivered.

    Remember its about money saving......
  • kev1n3
    kev1n3 Posts: 567 Forumite
    I have just purchased and installed the Belkin router and Belkin Wireless G+ USB Adapter. All went well until the mains lead to the router was pulled out accidentally.
    I have managed to get everything setup again except the computer receiving the signal wont connect to the internet now.

    The signal from the router to the receiving comp is fine.Receiving comp will not connect to the internet when a browser is opened. Has anyone any idea's of what could be the cause?

    Thanks.
    Kev
    Your tax bill is the penalty you pay for not helping the right candidates get into office.:D
  • espresso
    espresso Posts: 16,448 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    kev1n3 wrote: »
    I have just purchased and installed the Belkin router and Belkin Wireless G+ USB Adapter. All went well until the mains lead to the router was pulled out accidentally.
    I have managed to get everything setup again except the computer receiving the signal wont connect to the internet now.

    The signal from the router to the receiving comp is fine.Receiving comp will not connect to the internet when a browser is opened. Has anyone any idea's of what could be the cause?

    Thanks.
    Kev

    Was the encryption key saved in the router before it was accidentally powered down?

    Just set up the WPA encryption again.
    :doh: Blue text on this forum usually signifies hyperlinks, so click on them!..:wall:
  • kev1n3
    kev1n3 Posts: 567 Forumite
    I'm not sure if it was saved.. Could you explain (in dummy terms) what i have to do?
    The signal from the Router upstairs is connecting to the USB adapter downstairs so no problem with comms between them. Binnery is passing between them.

    I was thinking there could be other issues that I'm not seeing such as firewall settings on my downstairs comp (has the router got its own firewall?) Do i need to do anything in network connections?
    As you say it might be a good idea to un-install then re-install.

    Thanks for you advise.
    Your tax bill is the penalty you pay for not helping the right candidates get into office.:D
  • espresso
    espresso Posts: 16,448 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    kev1n3 wrote: »
    I'm not sure if it was saved.. Could you explain (in dummy terms) what i have to do?
    The signal from the Router upstairs is connecting to the USB adapter downstairs so no problem with comms between them. Binnery is passing between them.

    Are you sure about this? Can you ping the routers IP e.g. 192.168.2.1 from the PC downstairs? You can have good signal strength reported but unless the encryption is working, you won't actually pass data. You have not said which model router you have but the wireless encryption set-up details are given in the user manual
    ...............
    :doh: Blue text on this forum usually signifies hyperlinks, so click on them!..:wall:
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 350.7K Banking & Borrowing
  • 253K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 453.4K Spending & Discounts
  • 243.7K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 598.5K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 176.8K Life & Family
  • 256.9K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.6K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.