The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Im new to this - need advice.

    Discussion in 'Networking and Wireless' started by blisker, Oct 30, 2008.

  1. blisker

    blisker Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    18
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    I have a dsl service and have 2 desktops connected to it , have a LAN system i think.
    I bought a laptop yesterday but i dont have a wireless connection at home.
    What do you ppl suggest i do?
    change the whole setup or what?
     
    blisker, Oct 30, 2008
    #1
  2. gengerald

    gengerald Technofile Extraordinaire

    Reputations:
    674
    Messages:
    1,961
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    No, definitely not. A simple wireless router can solve your issue. To restate: From your DSL service, you have 2 ethernet cables going to your two desktops? Does your DSL modem have 2 outgoing spots or is there another little box connected to the DSL modem, and from that extra box, 2 cables going to the desktops? This is to just determine if your DSL modem is merely a modem with LAN router connected, or if it is a DSL modem and router in one unit.

    Depending on the DSL service, if it is a modem and router combo as some companies are switching to, you may have wireless right there. If not, adding a simple wireless router somewhere in that mix will work.
     
    gengerald, Oct 30, 2008
    #2
  3. blisker

    blisker Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    18
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    yes exactly , after the modem there is an extra box from which 2 cables go to the destop. and modem and router is not in 1 unit.
    so i just connect a wireless router to that small box and its done?
     
    blisker, Oct 30, 2008
    #3
  4. gengerald

    gengerald Technofile Extraordinaire

    Reputations:
    674
    Messages:
    1,961
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    Correct. Connect the Wireless router to either that little extra box or straight from the DSL modem.

    A Wireless router is a WLAN router, thus it has 1 inbound Ethernet port and usually 5 outbound ports plus the wireless ability. I would suggest organizing the setup by only using the WLAN router; 2 ports for your desktops and the wireless for the laptop to keep down on the complexity. There are many great WLAN routers out there, check around. I have an old Dlink Wireless G that I love, but it is very simple. There is also Linksys and others with great products. I would stick to these two name brands and stray away from others just due to their current great rep.

    One tip, Wireless G is a must and standard on these routers, but Wireless N is still Beta to some extent and is fast but sometimes problematic with some laptop cards. It can always be disabled but it does cost a bit more. Hopefully someone will post up with their preference and experience with a current router. Good luck.
     
    gengerald, Oct 30, 2008
    #4
  5. blisker

    blisker Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    18
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    thank you very much.
    It was very kind of you. that was very helpful.
     
    blisker, Oct 30, 2008
    #5