I'm a wireless virgin!

BusyGirl

I would like to go wireless and I would be really grateful for some advice from you experts out there.

I have a desktop pc and I would like to buy a laptop so that I can surf the internet all over the house. I am currently tied into AOL broadband and have a USB ADSL modem.
My computer is a packard Bell about 3 years old and uses Windows XP, so it may need one of those wireless card thingys??? someone mentioned this to me and I don't really know if she's right.

So do I take the easy option and go with one of the AOL wireless packages (as they come with an idiot proof guide), or should I be brave and go out and buy everything I need in PC World, but who will help me to set it all up and do I need lots of ISP code thingys???
As you can see this is a new area for me...please tell me it's really very simple and I could be wireless by the end of Wednesday.:D
Thanks

benjus

If you want to take the DIY approach you need to ditch the modem and buy an ADSL router instead. This one: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/52244 is one of the most popular, or you could try the cheap 'n' cheerful option: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/131771.

PC World will be more expensive (if you do decide to buy from PC World, use the "reserve & pick up in store" option from the website - the Netgear router is £20 cheaper if you buy it this way instead of just picking it off the shelf).

You will need to configure the router with the correct settings for AOL (see the router instruction manual and this page: http://www.broadbandbuyer.co.uk/BuyersGuide/FAQDetail.asp?TextID=497&SetID=98).

Your PC most likely doesn't have wireless capability. Your options are either a USB WiFi dongle (like these: http://www.ebuyer.com/search/?intStoreID=8&intCatID=39&intSubcatUID=1020) or a PCI card (like these: http://www.ebuyer.com/search/?intStoreID=8&intCatID=39&intSubcatUID=1019). PCI cards tend to be more reliable but you have to open the PC to fit it. USB dongles just have to be plugged in.

Remember that most wireless routers also have cable connections, so if you want to keep your PC in its current location you can use a cable for the PC and wireless for the laptop. (this assumes that your PC has a network port, but this is a pretty safe assumption for any vaguely modern PC). You just need to buy an Ethernet cable if you don't already have one.

vyseyboy

I think you should go out and buy everything yourself... but probably not at PC world...

eBuyer have an 802.11g ADSL wireless router for £15 as of today; not sure if it gets good reviews or not, but seems good. Add on to that a PCI or USB wireless adapter (PCI: requires opening PC case, and a free PCI slot, but is neater, USB: requires free USB port, very easy install, but it pokes out) and you are sorted. You don't need to change your AOL account, unless you want to. The only thing special about their "wireless" option is that they'll provide all the equipment.

PCI or USB adapter: £15 max. Make sure it's 802.11g for optimum speed, and, from my own experiences, it's probably best to avoid little-heard-of brands.

LOL. Benjus beat me to it.

benjus

Actually I just had another look at the PC World site and the Netgear router (go to www.pcworld.co.uk and enter 904351 in the product code search box) is £45 if you buy it online with [EMAIL="Collect@Store"]Collect@Store[/EMAIL]. This is cheaper than buying it from Ebuyer with 1 or 2 day delivery, so I'd recommend PC World if you decide to go for this model.

Edinburghlass_2

PC World do have this Netgear set on web exclusive at the moment, maybe not the cheapest but at least you can go and buy it for Wednesday

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/store/pcw_page.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@0653050280.1213635963@@@@&BV_EngineID=cccladeefmkjledcflgceggdhhmdgmk.0&page=Product&fm=null&sm=null&tm=null&sku=972885&category_oid=

BARGAINHUNTER!

Ok - I have a similar query. At the moment I get free broadband from Orange with my mobile contract and use a speedtouch modem to connect to my pc. I am really happy with this, however, my kids have just got laptops and would like to connect wirelessly to the internet. Orange will charge me about £20 a month for this. As I get free internet at the moment, i don't really want to lose that as I am on a very tight budget. Is it possible for me to get hold of a wireless router, plug that into my PC and still connect to my free Orange broadband? Would the kids then be able to connect wirelessly to my free internet package? I have just brought this new PC from Play.com http://www.play.com/PC/PCs/-/656/863/-/5214447/Acer-Veriton-L410-Sempron-3800+-2-2GHz-1GB-160GB-DVD-SM-Vista-Home-Basic-Desktop-PC/Product.html?searchtype=genre
Would I need to get a wireless USB thingy as well?

Im sorry to sound so dense but unfortunately im not very technically minded!

Thanks!

BusyGirl

Wow thanks for the great advice...now can you just pop around to help me put it all together?
Only joking...I'm pretty impatient and I'm thinking of going to pc world tomorrow to buy everything. I know it would be cheaper to order stuff from the cheaper sites but i cannot wait!
The pc is next to the phone socket so would it be easier/cheaper to go for the one with the cable to the pc and wireless to the laptop(s)? I need to read through all of the info you guys have given me and follow up the links suggested too.
I'll be back (to ask for more help no doubt)!
Thanks again.


I'm going to start another thread now on which pc laptop to buy...

Edinburghlass_2

Yes it would be cheaper as you won't need the "dongle" for the pc but would use the ethernet cable to connect the router to the pc then your laptop will find the router via wireless.

And if you have problems, I wasn't here

BusyGirl

If I use the cable to the pc, does the pc need to be on if I want to access the internet using the laptop?

Edinburghlass_2

No, as long as the router is left switched on.

BusyGirl

Any opinions on this package for my needs?

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/store/pcw_page.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@1290852710.1213640959@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccckadeegdjgfdjcflgceggdhhmdfhk.0&page=Accessory&sku=972885