Hey whats up, I finally got my cable installtion set up for this wensday at 8AM.
Earthlink dosent offer a wireless networking solution for home users though, so for the time being, it will just be in my room.
Can anyone help me look and get started on setting up my own wireless computer network, so I can share my connection with my family?
Keep in mind, my PC is a small form factor system, and I am already using up all my PCI slots, so it would have to be a USB solution.
Any help is appreacated.
ID:186252
 Aug 1 2005, 6:11 am
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Aug 1 2005, 7:13 am
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Scoobert
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I would recommend not going with linksys, they have been nothing but trouble for me.
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U.S. Robotics... I use to have outages all the time where I would have to reset my router with linksys, then it finally just died... I then picked up this little beauty, and after a quick firmware upgrade I havn't had to reset it in months!
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Seconded, and I know others would agree as well.
I have been with Netgear ever since Linksys failed me terribly, and Netgear has worked to satisfaction. | |
I recommend grabbing a wireless router and connecting it to your PC via ethernet connection since I'm guessing your PC already has an ethernet port. Make your PC the backbone of the network.
After that it'd just be a matter of getting wireless network cards for the other computers. I've got a Netgear router here that's served me well. I'd recommend them because I've never had a problem with it, not because they've done an exceptional job. If your PC doesn't already have a ethernet port I guess you could find a USB based wireless networking device. I've never seen one, but I'm sure they'd exist. Remember to setup the security. I recommend setting it so that no computers (other than the ones you specify) are allowed to make a wireless connection and the "backbone" PC is the only one allowed to access the control panel. Change the password (and possibly the user name) and write it on the bottom of the router. It'll take you a while to get it all running smoothly and securely, but it's worth it. | |
Well my computer has a ethernet port, but my family PC downstairs, I am unsure, and it would mean I would have to pull it out to see if it did, and I dont want to do that.
I also dont want to have to install a bunch of cards and stuff into the downstairs computer, and I want the simplest setup I can get my hands on. So if I could get usb alterntiave for the downstairs, thatd rock. | |
assuming you have usb ports in the front of the machine (so you don't move the machine to reach the plugs in the back), look for wireless usb sticks- they should include software for the drivers too.
then you can just do the standard windows internet connection sharing on the machine that is connected to the net. keep in mind though that your machine has to be on whenever someone wants to access the net. a better alternative is to have a little wireless router connected to the cable box- then you cna shut off your comp whenever you feel like it. as far as brands go, i've had good success with stuff from DLINK. | |
Shades wrote:
Keep in mind, my PC is a small form factor system, and I am already using up all my PCI slots, so it would have to be a USB solution. USB is a very plausible solution. In fact, I'm using a 54mbps wireless-g USB 2.0 adapter on my pc right now!(I bought my computer yesterday, didn't have a lot of money to splurge on a larger adapter) The one I'm using is from Hawking Technology. I bought it for about $40 yesterday at Micro Center, after I saw that the mail-in rebates bring it down to about $5. Anyways, this one is about half the length of your average wooden pencil, and plugs directly into my USB 2.0. I've also seen other USB adapters around the $40-$50 price range(although without the rebates), that plug in via a USB cable. Check it out Any help is appreacated. Your welcome, Hiead | |
Hey thanks for the help so far guys!
Well.. Ive been looking into DLink for a wireless cable router. Let me be perfectly clear, aside from some basic PC skills, Ive never had any expiearance setting up a computer network. So far I found a wireless router that seems to be a decent price: http://www.dlinkshop.com/ product.asp?sku=2275503§ion_id=7 Can anyone help me out here? Like I said, my PC is a small form factor system. How would this all work? That would plug into my Cable Modem right, or would it plug into my PC? And then what kind of port it would use? Then after setting it up, it would be a matter of putting in a usb thing into the downstairs computer right? I wouldnt even have to use the router to go through my own PC? I am just trying to be as sure as possible, Ive spent money on PC stuff before that I couldnt use, and I hate that. lol | |
Go Linksys, you can use third party firmware such as HyperWrt or OpenWrt. I'm using Linksys at all sites that i support and have had zero problems so far. (Stay far away from d-link through)
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Shades wrote:
Hey thanks for the help so far guys! That would plug into your modem through an Ethernet wire. you would also have to plug an ethernet wire from it into your computer for setup only. Then after setting it up, it would be a matter of putting in a usb thing into the downstairs computer right? I wouldnt even have to use the router to go through my own PC? YOur pc can be connected by ethernet to the routor, The other computers will need the USB wifi adapter. I am just trying to be as sure as possible, Ive spent money on PC stuff before that I couldnt use, and I hate that. lol | |
Yes, it will. However you will not get the full bandwith using USB. PCI cards are better USB is good if you can't do PCI.
I'm not sure if that adpater can use an external antana, otherwise it the same standerd 802.11G and will work. | |