mobily

Hello everyone,

I have so many questions on laptops and wireless internet technology. I'm fairly knowledgable about computers but some of the advancing technology always leaves me confused.

I've posted in another thread about how to get wireless internet and I no know I need a wireless card in my laptop and my desktop which will be able to receive the signal from the wireless router which I will also need to buy. Additional questions I have are:

1) What is to stop other people from next door using my internet connection and me using next doors connection? Could I see if someone was leeching from my connection, and how do I stop it?

2) Will I need any software on my machine from my isp or just internet explorer (IE)?

3) Is it as simple as clicking on IE to access the internet when in the house?

4) I would also like to use the laptop when out and about and I know many places provide wi-fi now. Would I be able to just stroll into Mcdonalds buy my burger and start surfing?

5) At the moment I have tiscali broadband and I need to connect to their services when I want to use it. Would wireless be 'always on' in that I wouldn't need to connect every time?

6) I will most likely be moving to Telewest broadband would I just need to replace the modem they send me with the wireless one for internet?

Any help/advice/suggestions on wireless internet would be gratefully received

Trizoy

1. You can set up passwords and encryption keys which are *almost entirely impossible to break. If someone is leeching your wirless signal it will shows the people connected in your router ip list. You can usually block them.

2. You will only need IE or Firefox to install and use the internet which is given through your router.

3.Yes, the router will always stay logged in, and your computer just renews the ip(when your turn it on, or come out of hibernate). If you want to setup a friend wireless laptop you just search for the network and type in your password.

4. Some places require you to ask for the password, some places are just always on. It depends on the place. You should make sure you get a wireless card which is used by most routers.. A wireless b is slower and older than the newer G... They are a few levels higher than that, but not too manyt people use them. A wireless b/g supports both signals.

5.Again your router logs in, and stays logged in. Your always on.

6. There is always a modem, which then plugs into the back of your router. Some places let you keep the old one. But when you sign up for thenewer service make sure you use the newest hardware.

Any more help/questions will most likeley be answered here, post em if you have got em!

Have Fun!

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mobily

Thanks for all that help!

I've been looking at wireless modems and netgear seems to be the one that comes out on top. However I don't understand when it says it has 10/100 switch. The one I looked at also said it was a firewall router. Does that mean I wouldn't need to install a firewall on my laptop or desktop?

I currently have a desktop computer with tiscali 2mb internet. When I went wireless would the desktop work just as well wirelessley as it does now hard wired?

Also, Since I will have two computers (1 laptop, 1 desktop) would the router allow me to network between the two i.e. share programs, files etc?

Is it easy to fit wireless cards into laptops and desktop pcs or would usb adaptors be the way to go?

Thanks

Trizoy

Well in a network there are 3 main devices..
A Switch: Splits a single internet connection, sending only relavent info to each computer...
A hub: Is a dumb switch, splits a connection and sends all information to all computers.
A Router: Splits a connection, sending only relavent info to each computer, logs onto an isp to keep a connection going... and ALSO has its own firewall.
A computer: Can have a firewall if turned on.. not really needed if using a router (unless sharing files on an open network).

So when a router says it is a 10/100 switch with a firewall and wireless... It is just a regular old wireless router... Some of them promise range being increased, and some other junk aswell. What I looked for was a wireless router which was b/g compliant and had 4 ethernet ports, just incase i was not happy with the speeds and/or I got interference.

Yes the router would allow you to share files wirelessly. Very easy to set up, and use.

The wireless cards are very easy to install on a PC (desktop), If you can open the case your already 3/4 of the way done. All you really need is an open pci slot. 1 screw later it is installed (make sure pc is off though).
For a laptop I believe they just slide into a slot/bay. The newer computers should all have them internal. Im not sure about the speeds/problems with the usb adaptors.. maybe post another thread about USB adaptors.

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mobily

Thanks for all the help, I really appreciate it

I think I have my head around most of it now.

On the wireless card front.... some cards have an antennae on the back and some don't. Is it necessary to get one with an antennae as this would stick out a bit on a laptop?

I've been looking at various laptops and fancy one with an s-video output as I could then watch video clips and dvds on my television.

mobily

I'd just like to check the connections for a wireless network.

Would I connect the RJ11 cable straight from the adsl filter into the wireless router or would I use the modem my isp has supplied?

I have had a look at the modem tiscali gave me and there is a line input for the RJ11 cable and then a USB output. How would I connect that if I had to use that modem prior to the wireless router?

Thanks

Trizoy

The telephone cord from the wall plugs into your modem, the modem then turns it into a cat5 cable which plugs into your router.. then either wireless or ethernet cord to your computer. Try to stay branded.. linksys router, linksys card..

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mobily

Sorry for the stupid questions....

The modem I have only has USB output by the looks of it. Would I need to buy a new modem?

I would like to be able to share my printer between both computers also. For example I have a document on the laptop and I want to print it on the printer in the next room, how would I go about this?

The laptop I have my eyes on has an s-video output port. How would I be able to connect this to my tv so that I have sound also coming from the tv speakers?

Thanks

Trizoy

No stupid questions... Just stupid answers.. Lets see if I can avoid the stupid answers...

Ok well I guess since your modem only uses an output of USB you can then only purchase a router with an input type of USB. I havent really used the usb type but it doesnt sound too much different. Have you purchased a router yet? If not you should make sure it does have the usb type input. If you have a router, modems are cheap and might also be options.

To share your printer you go to the computer you have the printer hooked up to, and right click the printer icon from prtinet control panel and enable sharing. You should make sure that both your computer are in the same workgroup. To do this right click my computer and go properties. The window that pops up will have a workgroup button on the first tab (winxp). Makre it anything you want.. mshome workgroup (standard names) or anything you want.. but remember what it is. Then do the same workgroup on the other computer. When this is complete and your computers are hooked to the router you can view anything you have shared by going to My network places and going into entire network, then select your workgroup (both computers should be in there). If not you can always use IE and type in //computer name or //local-ip

The S-video is a special plug for your tv, does your tv have this plug as well? The single s-video cord also carries the sound/volume of the video being broadcast across. If you dont have that on your tv you might be able to find a s-video to rca cable converter.


Good luck!

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mobily

Thankyou for your patience and help...

Is it possible to purchase a modem and router integrated so that there is no need for cables between the two of them? If so what sort of router would you recommend? There are so many of them out there that I'm not sure what is best. Also would a network card with an antennae work better than one without?

My printer is currently connected to my desktop but I don't think I asked my question very clearly. Would it be possible for me to set the system up in such a way that even if the desktop computer was switched off I could print something?

Would the desktop computer need to be switched on for me to use files and programmes stored on its hard drive?

My television does have an s-video input but only carries video rather than audio and video. I will need a lead with s-video on one end and s-video and rca connectors on the other.

Thanks!