Connecting a laptop to the internet

Migiscrap · 11-20-2005, 01:25 AM

Hi there, I'm sorry if this question has been asked a lot before, but I need to know and couldn't find help elsewhere.

I already have a desktop PC with a broadband connection, which it is connected to via a USB modem, which then plugs into the phone port in the wall. (Sorry I don't know the technical names for this stuff.)

And basically, I want to wirelessly connect my laptop to the internet, so that I can use it up in my room. Both the laptop and the desktop PC must be able to connect to the net at the same time.

So basically, what hardware am I going to need to get a wireless internet connection for my laptop.

Thanks everyone!

kof2000 · 11-20-2005, 02:42 AM

if it is a recent laptop. you're ready to go. if not then if it is missing a wireless card then you'll need to get one.

4W4K3 · 11-20-2005, 02:57 AM

A wireless PCMCIA card is what you will need for your laptop (providing the laptop does not have integrated wireless like kof2000 said.) Along with that, you will need a wireless router for it to connect to.

Your desktop PC will have to connect to the wireless router, which will be connected to the modem. Make sure your wireless router and your PCMCIA card are both the "same kind" of wireless as well. Meaning, you can get wireless "b" and wireless "g" cards/routers. If you can afford "g" go with that. It has a longer range than "b" and a faster connection (you probably can't take advantage of all of the "g" speed, but it's nice to have.)

When you buy the hardware, it will almost always come with instructions on how to hook it all up. Of course we are here too to help you with any trouble shooting. My little explanation is probably not without flaws as well, so feel free to question anything you think is a bit off.

tractorboy · 11-20-2005, 05:08 AM

when you connect up the router to your modem, do not forget to unplug the usb going from the modem to the desktop. If I might make a suggestion in routers ? I like netgear, make sure what ever router you get has NAT, SPI and for encryption WEP is good WPA is 100 times more secure and is well worth it, also make sure your other devices support it also.

Migiscrap · 11-21-2005, 10:35 PM

thanks guys, my laptop came with a plug in wireless card, so i think i just need the router. Cheers!

Migiscrap · 11-21-2005, 10:53 PM

Ok so lemme get this straight - Currently the modem plugs into my pc via USB, and into the wall via the white phone cable. So it currently goes:

Wall-Modem-PC

Does its then go:

Wall-Modem-Router-PC

OR

Wall-Router-Modem-PC

???

Sorry I'm just dumb today.

Thanks!

Migiscrap · 11-23-2005, 10:50 PM

anyone?

vortmax · 11-23-2005, 11:03 PM

wall---modem----router---pc

The book that comes with the router will describe set up really well with pictures. You will most likley need to connect your computer to the router with network cable instead of USB tho. I have temporairly had a router running off a modem's network port and another computer on the USB port, and it worked fine, you just won't be able to set up a true network (no file sharing, ect)

11-20-2005, 01:25 AM	#1 (permalink)
Migiscrap Bronze Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 31	Connecting a laptop to the internet - Noob Hi there, I'm sorry if this question has been asked a lot before, but I need to know and couldn't find help elsewhere. I already have a desktop PC with a broadband connection, which it is connected to via a USB modem, which then plugs into the phone port in the wall. (Sorry I don't know the technical names for this stuff.) And basically, I want to wirelessly connect my laptop to the internet, so that I can use it up in my room. Both the laptop and the desktop PC must be able to connect to the net at the same time. So basically, what hardware am I going to need to get a wireless internet connection for my laptop. Thanks everyone!

11-20-2005, 02:42 AM	#2 (permalink)
kof2000 Diamond Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Oahu Age: 27 Posts: 6,273	if it is a recent laptop. you're ready to go. if not then if it is missing a wireless card then you'll need to get one. __________________ QX9650@4.2 swiftech \|9600@3.0 9700 nt 780i \| 790fx 8gb ddr1200 \| 8gb ddr1200 2x150gb 3x1tb \|2x250gb 3x8800gtx \|3x2900xt 1gb 2x20xdvdrw \|2x20xdvdrw 15in1 card reader \|15in1 card reader ng15/g9 \|ng15/g9 1200w psu \|1200w psu 2x28" LCD \|2x28" LCD

11-20-2005, 02:57 AM	#3 (permalink)
4W4K3 VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Lewisville, TX Age: 20 Posts: 6,892	A wireless PCMCIA card is what you will need for your laptop (providing the laptop does not have integrated wireless like kof2000 said.) Along with that, you will need a wireless router for it to connect to. Your desktop PC will have to connect to the wireless router, which will be connected to the modem. Make sure your wireless router and your PCMCIA card are both the "same kind" of wireless as well. Meaning, you can get wireless "b" and wireless "g" cards/routers. If you can afford "g" go with that. It has a longer range than "b" and a faster connection (you probably can't take advantage of all of the "g" speed, but it's nice to have.) When you buy the hardware, it will almost always come with instructions on how to hook it all up. Of course we are here too to help you with any trouble shooting. My little explanation is probably not without flaws as well, so feel free to question anything you think is a bit off. __________________ My Computer I choose to believe what I was programmed to believe. Can I eat your brain? FOLDING FOR THE GOOD OF MANKIND :F@H Team 44358

11-20-2005, 05:08 AM	#4 (permalink)
tractorboy Gold Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 253	when you connect up the router to your modem, do not forget to unplug the usb going from the modem to the desktop. If I might make a suggestion in routers ? I like netgear, make sure what ever router you get has NAT, SPI and for encryption WEP is good WPA is 100 times more secure and is well worth it, also make sure your other devices support it also. __________________ Win XP Prof Win 2003 --------------- A+ MCP NASDA CERT SCUBA Diver >>PCs underwater ?

11-23-2005, 11:03 PM	#8 (permalink)
vortmax Platinum Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Age: 26 Posts: 619	wall---modem----router---pc The book that comes with the router will describe set up really well with pictures. You will most likley need to connect your computer to the router with network cable instead of USB tho. I have temporairly had a router running off a modem's network port and another computer on the USB port, and it worked fine, you just won't be able to set up a true network (no file sharing, ect) __________________ Asus A7N8x delux Nforce 2 AMD Athlon 2800+ (barton core) 512 meg Corsair DDR 400 Gainward G-force FX 5200 Dell 6000i Intel Pentium M 725 (1.60 GHz/2MB Cache/400MHz FSB) ATI MOBILITY RADEON X300 64MB HyperMemory 1 gig DDR2 PC2-3200 Music server: AMD K6 500 MHz 128 Meg RAM Onkyo HT-R520 Reciever 6.1 DTS ES & Dolby Digital EX

11-21-2005, 10:35 PM	#5 (permalink)
Migiscrap Bronze Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 31	thanks guys, my laptop came with a plug in wireless card, so i think i just need the router. Cheers!

11-21-2005, 10:53 PM	#6 (permalink)
Migiscrap Bronze Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 31	Ok so lemme get this straight - Currently the modem plugs into my pc via USB, and into the wall via the white phone cable. So it currently goes: Wall-Modem-PC Does its then go: Wall-Modem-Router-PC OR Wall-Router-Modem-PC ??? Sorry I'm just dumb today. Thanks!

11-23-2005, 10:50 PM	#7 (permalink)
Migiscrap Bronze Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 31	anyone?

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