Wireless and a dongle?!

Tiff_2

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

aerostar

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

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

Tiff_2

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

Tiff_2

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();
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

aerostar

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

www.ebuyer.com have wireless USB dongles for half that price delivered.

Remember its about money saving......

kev1n3

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

espresso

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.

kev1n3

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.

espresso

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

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