Setting up a home network

M

mobily

New Member
Good morning,

I currently own a desktop pc but have just purchased a laptop with a view to setting up a wireless network.

I am hoping I can use the network to surf the internet and also share files and a printer between the two machines. The desktop pc doesn't have a wireless card and ideally I would like to hard wire the pc but be able to wirless the laptop.

However, I am not sure how to go about setting it all up and what sort of equipment I would need to purchase to make it all possible.

Could somebody please advise on what I would need and how easy it is do do?

Many thanks :)
 
its quite easy to set it all up.

you will need a Wireless Router, that would would connect to your Broadband Modem.
a wireless card for the laptop if it doesnt already have one.
Ethernet patch cables.

the router would connect to your modem through an ethernet cable (plugged into the "internet" port on the router), the router should then have about 4 ports left which would be used to connect it to the main PC with an Ethernet cable.
by default the wireless settings should aready be on on the router, you would just have to serch for the network from the laptop using Windows wireless network facility.

EDIT: when it comes to sharing files on the network, that can be set up using windows "Network Setup Wizard". when it comes to sharing a printer, you would either need one with an ethernet port, which is quite expensive i think, or you would install it on one of the computers and then on the other computer use "Add a printer" in the printer settings, chooseing the "Networked printer" option :D
 
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Dropkickmurphys said:
EDIT: when it comes to sharing files on the network, that can be set up using windows "Network Setup Wizard". when it comes to sharing a printer, you would either need one with an ethernet port, which is quite expensive i think, or you would install it on one of the computers and then on the other computer use "Add a printer" in the printer settings, chooseing the "Networked printer" option :D
Click to expand...

You can go for a wireless or wired print server. i think linksys has one that you can hook a usb or printer cable up to it and it serves your printer on the internet. but like they said, it can be like 60$ or so.
 
after you get your wi fi working and you can surf the net, do not for get to set security. Don't bother with anything else except encryption. Dont use WEP it can be cracked, use WPA.

"Network Setup Wizard".
Click to expand...
In case that does not work or you want more insight to what is going on ( will help you know if you ever have to repair or make changes)
click start, then run
type NCPA.CPL
hit enter
highlight your network card, WI FI
click Advanced, then network id ( you will have to do this on all machines)
the workgroup name has to be the same
the next step depends if you have xp home or prof
for prof turn of simple file sharing, windows explorer/tools/folder ops/view , then scroll all the way down
for xp prof to get other users in your access lists for peer to peer all log on accounts have to be on all machine perticipating in the work group. You have to make sure they , right click the folder to share, make sure they are in the permissions and also in the security tab.
for home version you have to use simple file sharing. I think there is a folder that is shared automatically. I think you can also right click the folder and select share in windows explorer. I kind of do not remeber for home version so here is an MS article
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/304040

hope this helps
 
Thanks for all your replies guys. :) I am thinking of buying the Netgear DG834G wireless router but am concerned about coverage.

My house is a 2 bedroom mid terrace but has a fairly large garden. I would like to be able to use the internet all over the house as well as in the garden, when the summer arrives! Would this product provide me with sufficient coverage for all the house at sufficient speeds. I currently have 2mb broadband.

Also would this product enable me to share files between computers and also use a printer from each computer?

Many thanks :P

p.s I forgot to say that I get my internet through cable which connects to the modem and then by ethernet from the modem to the computer.
 
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Would I be better off with an access point rather than a wireless modem as I already have a modem?

Not sure how this all works!
 
brianmay27 said:
yes, as long as you have a router you can use a access point
Click to expand...

i think he means he already has a modem and is thinking about a normal router rather than a modem/router.

Would I be better off with an access point rather than a wireless modem as I already have a modem?
Click to expand...

i think a normal wireless router would be best, yes. otherwise you might get issues with your ISP.

Would this product provide me with sufficient coverage for all the house at sufficient speeds.
Click to expand...

if you place the router at the back end of the house (i.e. near the garden) it should be fine, otherwise you can do as kof2000 suggested and buy a repeater/booster.

Also would this product enable me to share files between computers and also use a printer from each computer?
Click to expand...

yes this would, once all of the computers are connected, you can do as we suggested above.

p.s I forgot to say that I get my internet through cable which connects to the modem and then by ethernet from the modem to the computer.
Click to expand...

thats np. you would just connect the modem to the router rather than the computer. the computer would also connect to the router :D


Hope that helps

DropkickMurphys
 
Hello,

I have been doing some research and am a little more confused. I'm now not sure if the product I was originally thinking of purchasing would be suitable. As my internet comes from a cable provider would this one be better:

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/st...&page=Product&sku=951446&calling_page=Product

I have read you need a different router depending on how you receive your internet. Is there an idiots giude to wireless networking you guys can point me in the direction of so as I can understand a little better?

Thanks :)
 
what your gonna get is proly a modem to screw onto the cable, and then your gonna want a router i dont know how well netgear r but ive come to, that they are cheap, personaly i prefer linksys the security is a lil difficult at first to get set but once you have done it, its alot easier to handle,

just a suggestion
 
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