Home Network

J

joemoran7

New Member
I am very much a novice to computer networking and I have a problem.

I have a computer downstairs with BT broadband on an Alcatel Sppedtouch USB device. I wish to access the internet and my downstairs computer from upstairs in my bedroom.

I know I need to buy a router but dont know which type. Some say that I will need a new type of modem thing that will allow me to do what I want but this is to much hassle. I just want to plug the router into the external broadband usb modem downstairs and be able to access the internet in my room.

I know I may also need to buy a network card for my laptop and a router that will be able to cover quite a distance.

Which router is best for me and exactly what other bits of hardware do I need to buy to enable it to work with little hassle?

Thanks
 
Well for starters, do you know if you DSL Modem has a built-in wireless capability(do a research on the model of your dsl modem or tell us what model you'll have). If your dsl modem has wireless built-in, all you would have to do is buy a wireless card for your laptop and enable the wireless on your dsl modem to give your laptop internet access. If the modem is not wireless, you'll can buy a wireless router at bestbuy or at fry's electronics to make this work.
 
I had a linksys wireless router and didn't like it all that much, it actually locked me out of my wireless and wouldn't reset, so I have a $30 or $40 belkin now and it works great. I'd go with like linksys, belkin, d-link, or netgear though for a router, same goes for the wireless card. It isn't supposed to make a difference which companies you get for each component, but if you get both from the same manufacturer you can sometimes avoid hassles between stuff from two different companies so I would also suggest getting both components from the same manufacturer
 
no these will not do the job,
your modem at the moment is a usb and as such will not be able to connect to that router. The best thing for you to do it to buy a router will a built i modem, and therefore ust have the one box, there isn't much extra cost envolved and many of them come with a free usb connector
 
joemoran7 said:
Could you give me a couple of examples of which router and card to buy?

Thanks
Click to expand...

It really depends on what you need/want. I have a Netgear SuperG 108mbps router that is faster (obviously) and has a wider range than regular 802.11G routers (BTW 108mbps is faster than my cable modem :P). I doubt you will need anything like that, but like I said, there are numerous possibilites. If you want both range and speed, go with 802.11g, which will be more expensive. If you want range over speed, go with 802.11b. It will give you 11mbps. If you want speed over range, go with 802.11a, which is 54mbps. As someone else recommended, I would stay away from Linksys....I've had too many problems with it before getting my Netgear. Give a look here... http://netgear.com/products/consumer/prod_router_wireless_hm.php it will provide you with an overview of routers available.
 
apj101 said:
no these will not do the job,
your modem at the moment is a usb and as such will not be able to connect to that router. The best thing for you to do it to buy a router will a built i modem, and therefore ust have the one box, there isn't much extra cost envolved and many of them come with a free usb connector
Click to expand...

Which type of router will I need then if it has to have a built in modem in it. Could you give me an example?

Thanks
 
lee101 said:
http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/prod...2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=97523

that is a good deal for wireless 802.11g router that also has a built in ADSL modem, and you get a free USB dongle!!

i would definately reccomend it

Lee :D
Click to expand...

Yes, but I would prefer to have a linksys/belkin/netgear router as these are known as best. So could you give me an example of a router that fits my requirements in one of these makes.

Also, I would prefer a card rather than a usb adapter.

Cheers
 
joemoran7 said:
Yes, but I would prefer to have a linksys/belkin/netgear router as these are known as best.
Click to expand...

OK, fair enough, but there is really nothing wrong with 3com, the make of the one i suggested, they have very, very good reviews

this is a linksys wireless ADSL router:
http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/prod...2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=94178

and here is a linksys PCI card

http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/prod...2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=63762

but i would seriously considee the 3com on which i first suggested, as the linksys works out far more expensive and you wouldn't get any better features with it

Lee :D
 
lee101 said:
OK, fair enough, but there is really nothing wrong with 3com, the make of the one i suggested, they have very, very good reviews

this is a linksys wireless ADSL router:
http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/prod...2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=94178

and here is a linksys PCI card

http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/prod...2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=63762

but i would seriously considee the 3com on which i first suggested, as the linksys works out far more expensive and you wouldn't get any better features with it

Lee :D
Click to expand...

Thanks alot,

I think I will get this linksys one, but will this card wont work with my laptop i dont think.

Will this one do the job?

http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?rb=17549619951&action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=45024
 
Last edited:
thanks a lot to all of you.

I have ordered the suggested linksys router and laptop card.

I will get bac to you to inform how the product is working.

And more than likely, with any problems.

Once again, cheers!
 
I have bought the linksys one you suggested, but I am sure that you have suggested the wrong type of router for me.

I have a phone line which goes into a filter, then out of the filter comes a RJ-11 cable which currently plugs into my adsl usb device which then plugs into my usb on my pc. But with the router I have, the RJ-11 cable now needs to go into my router and no longer to the usb device.

But then the pack I have bought tells me to connect to the internet the usual way to set up my wireless network. But I cannot get onto the internet because my RJ-11 cable does no longer go to my usb device that connects me to the internet.

What do I do?

When I use the linksys online help, it keeps searching my computer and saying you are using an ISDN something and we don't support this?
 
Last edited:
take the old usb router piece of junk and through it in the corner of you room never to be used again!
There are 2 bits of kit
1) A modem
2) a router
Both are built into the linksys router you bought!
Now when you set up your account with your internet provider you where given several connection details probably by email, these will included such thing as user name, password, asdl server to connect to , maybe a few other bits and bobs. You need to connect your router and laptop (not wireless yet) enter the config page of your router as per the instructions, and enter the connection details. This will tell the modem (built in with the router) how to connect to your internet provider.
 
Hallelujah!

I got it all working now, after hours spent on the phone to both linksys and my laptop manufacturer.

I had problem witht the adapter i bought, the driver was not workin well with windows and kept crashing. So i am just using the inbuilt one in my laptop and gonna return the adapter (if ebuyer allow that, or sell it on ebay).

Thanks for everyones help.

New question tho:

Now I have the internet running properly on my laptop upstairs in my room. How do I make sure that no-one else but me can access the wireless (i.e. a username and password required to communicate with the router).

Also, how do I transfer files between my computers?

I cannot see any drive that corresponds to my laptop upsatirs on my system downstairs. Also, if i want to printer share, how do i do that?

Cheers
 
Last edited:
Does anyone know how to:

a) Transfer files between my 2 computers?
b) Make the connection secure so only permitted users can access it?
c) Enable printer sharing?

Thanks.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top