Wireless newbie-help with modem/router?

So I only have a desktop at the moment but just ordered a dell laptop. I need help figuring out wireless internet. Right now I only have a modem that I purchased years ago to use with my cable internet and desktop pc. Can I use this same modem along with a new router I might purchase to get wireless internet? Or do I need to buy a new wireless modem and a router?

Also, these were offered at discounted prices if I bought them with my laptop. If it turns out I do need some extra wireless things, do you suggest I call Dell and ask for one of these to be included?

Belkin Wireless N Router

D-LINK DIR-615 Wireless N Router

D-LINK DIR-615 Wireless N Router Bundle with Wireless N USB Network

Netgear WNR2000 Wireless N Router

Linksys WRT160N Ultra RangePlus Wireless N Broadband Router Product

Netgear WNDR3300 RangeMax Dual Band Wireless N Router - Dell Canada


Thanks for any help/advice!

 

Basically,

The easiest way to do it is this:

take the internet connection to the modem and leave it the same

next, hook the category 5 ethernet cable from the modem, to the router port in.

next, hook a cat5 ethernet cable to one of the out ports on the router to the nic (network card) on your desktop computer.

next, power on the modem. then the router. do this by plugging them in.

now, log onto your desktop computer and open your browser window, and type in the numeric ip address of the router. they can very based on the make and model. consult the directions that came with your router for details. for instance, the default router home page for a linksys is 192.168.1.1 type the numeric address in the address bar where you would normally type in the website, and hit enter, this should bring up the routers home/configuration page.

once the router's home screen loads, you can turn on things like WEP or WPA encryption, and set up the different features of your router.

after thats done, you should be able to tell the laptop to search for wireless internet connections. it SHOULD find the router if things are working right with the router. if you turned on WEP or WPA, then you will need to enter the password you decided on when setting up the router, in order to finish connecting.

At this point, you should be online.


Now, this is a pretty basic guide, and you may have questions about specific features, and thats ok. feel free to post back here with any questions and we will try to help.


evers

 

Don't waste your money on Belkin if you want it to work reliability. They test good but are not reliable. Go to smallnetbuilder to look at performance values.

Your modem will work with the router if it uses network port and not USB. Just get the wireless router of your choosing, do the internet setup. Some ISP do not allow modems for initial setups, most cable operators do. All of your hardware MAC address will be registered to your account. Once the account is setup and working you can then do the wireless setup. With 11n use WPA2 AES Personal security with a min of 20 chr using all printable chr. I use the random generator on grc.com site, copy and past to a notepad for later use. I do not type keys any more I only copy and past, works the first time that way.

Good luck. The guide at the top of the forum will get you started.

 

Welcome to the forum Rach83.

In order to achieve Wireless Internet for the laptop you will just need to add a Wireless Router to your current home network.

I suggest the Linksys WRT160N; I'm familiar w/ Linksys and their products are easy to set up IMO and reliable. If you do get the Linksys and need help configuring or have issues you know where to post your questions. You can even pm me

 

Thanks everyone for the replies and help. I can't wait to get my laptop so I can get started!

 

Agreed, Makeveli, i use a linksys too. I' ve had great luck with it from the start, and it got even better when i switched to DD-WRT firmware.


Rach, you can get a good linksys router for about 60 bux new at any of the major stores like Best Buy, Circuit City, or even walmart. its a good buy and very easy to set up and run securely.

It will also be very reliable, and play very nice with whatever cable modem you use, and play nice with your laptop too. Congrats on your new purchase! if you need any further help, write back. always happy to help, and i know everyone else here who posted is too.



evers

 

Just found a Linksys Wireless G Router (WRT54G2-CA) on sale at future shop for $50 from $75 and was wondering if you would recommend it, or if I should go with a higher quality router? I have tried searching for reviews, but since I barely understand what any of the components do, its a bit tough to see whether or not its a good buy. My new Dell Studio has a G networking card....


Thanks again for the help, so glad I found this site.

 

Most all of home network Routers provide the same basic functionalities so it's not really a debate over higher quality per se. It's just that some Routers from certain manufacturers are known to have very poor wireless signal strength, they tend to break down easily, connections drops ever so often etc. I actually have the Linksys WRT54G Router and I can testify that it doesn't suffer these issues like some other brands may.

Anyhow, you can get the WRT54G2 from Amazon. (It's a tad bit cheaper) And check out the reviews as well; which overall is very good.

Edit: BTW, I'm sure your new laptop will have a 802.11n WiFi Adapter in it so you may want to get a Wireless N Router to get the best performance.

Now I have no shares with Linksys or anything; you can get w/e brand Router you want but I just personally trust their products.

 

Thanks for the tips, I will def check out amazon, its always good to get a better deal (though I live in Canada so for most sites its a problem to get the same deals).

My laptop will actually have the Dell Wireless 1397 802.11g Half Mini-Card so I was trying to get a G router. Wasn't sure how it all worked so after reading a few Studio 17 threads, I went with the cheaper g card.

 

Great!

 

Any of the linksys WRT54G series routers work. they are all 802.11G standard and work very well. the particular model i have is the WRT54GS, and my HP notebook comes with the 54GS linksys card built in so its a marriage that works well. i really like the linksys and the WRT54's seem to work very very well and are very easy to set up, right out of the box, and they are very cheap to buy.

And yes, i dont know how i forgot to mention amazon.com. duh. thats a great site to shop on.



evers