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whats_it_all_about
new user
Reg'd: Sat
Posts: 7
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Hello All, I hope you can push me in the right direction regarding the MINEFIELD I've found with WiFi networking!
To start then this is what I want to do. I tried before Christmas and it all went horribly wrong, I took the stuff back for refund and now want to try again.
A] 1 PC, 1 Laptop. Want to be able to access the Internet (maybe both machines at the same time if possible).
B] I live in the country so although the security side of it (WEP, WPA/PSK) is important, I'm not likely to have neighbours/nasty-people-in-Vans-parked-outside stealing info.
C] Neither PC or Lappy has wireless adapter inside - I need dongles or PC Adapter card
Is it possible to a) Hard-wire WiFi modem/router into back of PC then b) install dongle/or PC Adapter in lappy, rather than have dongles in BOTH PC and lappy? OR do I need to use dongles/adapter cards in BOTH PC AND lappy?
Which TYPE of modem/router do I need? There are sooo many types/standards, difficult for the absolute beginner to know WHICH one to go for, but I think (after reading a lot online) G+ probably OK? What about N standard? And what is MIMO ?
D] Next question is - What's the best manufacturer? There are quite a few sets costing in the £40 -s now, as there are in the £90 -s - Belkin, NetGear, Buffalo, etc etc. Which seems to be the Easiest and mist reliable please, but not costing the Earth?
E] BT customer, not Cable.
Sadly, because I live out-in-the-sticks, I can only have BB connection of 512 anyway, but as long as it doesn't degrade slower than this it's fine. Just need to wait for BT to get their act together for us country-bumpkins!!
I'd be very grateful if someone could help me out with this.
Thank you,
xxx
Edited by whats_it_all_about (Sat Feb 09 2008 01:26 PM)
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greysts
regular
Reg'd: Thu
Posts: 18153
Loc: Colchester
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That's a whole pile of questions but I'll give it a go.
Quote:
Is it possible to a) Hard-wire WiFi modem/router into back of PC then b) install dongle/or PC Adapter in lappy,
Yes it is. Quote:
Which TYPE of modem/router do I need? There are sooo many types/standards, difficult for the absolute beginner to know WHICH one to go for, but I think (after reading a lot online) G+ probably OK? What about N standard? And what is MIMO ?
The most modern 'standard' is Wireless N although this has not yet been fully ratified by the industry. Most manufacturers are producing what they call pre-N routers with the promise that if the standard changes they will issue firmware updates for their routers. G+ is probably OK and MIMO means Multi In Multi Out. Both will work but N is better in terms of speed and distance covered.
Quote:
D] Next question is - What's the best manufacturer?
I could find you 10 people who swear by Netgear and another 10 who say it's rubbish. The same thing applies to most of the others as well. I tend to use an on line retailer like eBuyer where people who have bought the equipment can post their comments about it.
Here's a link to a package with both router and dongle for your laptop that seems to have reasonable reviews.
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Do you know that we're all in line for succession to the throne? Really?
Well, if forty-eight million, two hundred thousand, seven hundred and one people died I'd be Queen.
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whats_it_all_about
new user
Reg'd: Sat
Posts: 7
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Thank you very much greysts for your help. That link you mention, it's not for an 'N' type though is it. Yes, a loaded question really, eg. what's wonderful for me is probably rubbish for neighbour!! Would you say that a adapter card is better/worse than a USB dongle please?
xx
Quote:
That's a whole pile of questions but I'll give it a go.
Quote:
Is it possible to a) Hard-wire WiFi modem/router into back of PC then b) install dongle/or PC Adapter in lappy,
Yes it is. Quote:
Which TYPE of modem/router do I need? There are sooo many types/standards, difficult for the absolute beginner to know WHICH one to go for, but I think (after reading a lot online) G+ probably OK? What about N standard? And what is MIMO ?
The most modern 'standard' is Wireless N although this has not yet been fully ratified by the industry. Most manufacturers are producing what they call pre-N routers with the promise that if the standard changes they will issue firmware updates for their routers. G+ is probably OK and MIMO means Multi In Multi Out. Both will work but N is better in terms of speed and distance covered.
Quote:
D] Next question is - What's the best manufacturer?
I could find you 10 people who swear by Netgear and another 10 who say it's rubbish. The same thing applies to most of the others as well. I tend to use an on line retailer like eBuyer where people who have bought the equipment can post their comments about it.
Here's a link to a package with both router and dongle for your laptop that seems to have reasonable reviews.
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greysts
regular
Reg'd: Thu
Posts: 18153
Loc: Colchester
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The link was just for an example of how eBuyer works. As you will using wireless for the laptop it's either one of these or one of these. USB was never designed for networking and uses far too much resource so I would go for a card. Be careful which one you choose. There are different types depending on how modern your laptop happens to be.
--------------------
Do you know that we're all in line for succession to the throne? Really?
Well, if forty-eight million, two hundred thousand, seven hundred and one people died I'd be Queen.
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whats_it_all_about
new user
Reg'd: Sat
Posts: 7
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Oh didn't think age of lappy/pc mattered with these peripherals! Both are 5 years old...
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greysts
regular
Reg'd: Thu
Posts: 18153
Loc: Colchester
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In tha case you probably won't be able to use one of these.
--------------------
Do you know that we're all in line for succession to the throne? Really?
Well, if forty-eight million, two hundred thousand, seven hundred and one people died I'd be Queen.
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whats_it_all_about
new user
Reg'd: Sat
Posts: 7
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I'm sorry graysts, I'm being dense here. Can I not use a card because the PC/Lappy are too old? Wld therefore a USB HAVE to be used? The USB dongles seem a bit too fragile for me, whereas the cards are neatly pushed out of the way and can't be wrenched out of the socket... does that make sense?
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greysts
regular
Reg'd: Thu
Posts: 18153
Loc: Colchester
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Look carefully at the description of the Belkin N1. Quote:
NOTE: Your notebook must have an ExpressCard slot in order for you to use this product.
On the other hand you can use one of these.
--------------------
Do you know that we're all in line for succession to the throne? Really?
Well, if forty-eight million, two hundred thousand, seven hundred and one people died I'd be Queen.
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whats_it_all_about
new user
Reg'd: Sat
Posts: 7
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Crikey greysts!!!! Confusing of what?? Yes, the Lappy has a PCMCIA slot not a Wireless express slot - however I wouldn't have known the difference - I didn't KNOW there was more than 1 type of card that fitted that slot! Getting a bit too tech for me now... might need a lie down... Seriously though, so it's the 2nd choice, PCMCIA that I MUST get then, yeah? You don't rate the USB dongles?
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greysts
regular
Reg'd: Thu
Posts: 18153
Loc: Colchester
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Quote:
Seriously though, so it's the 2nd choice, PCMCIA that I MUST get then, yeah? You don't rate the USB dongles?
(1) Yes and (2) No.
--------------------
Do you know that we're all in line for succession to the throne? Really?
Well, if forty-eight million, two hundred thousand, seven hundred and one people died I'd be Queen.
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whats_it_all_about
new user
Reg'd: Sat
Posts: 7
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Much appreciate your help with all this greysts, thank you very much indeed. Will try not to bother ya again
xxx 
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greysts
regular
Reg'd: Thu
Posts: 18153
Loc: Colchester
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It was no bother. Call again, any time.
--------------------
Do you know that we're all in line for succession to the throne? Really?
Well, if forty-eight million, two hundred thousand, seven hundred and one people died I'd be Queen.
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whats_it_all_about
new user
Reg'd: Sat
Posts: 7
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Thank you,
xx
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