Author Topic: Question for computer peeps (Read 2072 times)

weekapaug19 · « **on:** February 24, 2009, 10:27:01 am »

So tomorrow we are getting cable internet, but I want to upgrade it to wireless internet for my laptop. Is a router all I need to be able to do that? and if so, does it really matter what kind I get? Also, you can have the wireless internet and also have the cable internet hooked straight to the other computer, right? Any help is appreciated...thanks.

NickNels · « **Reply #1 on:** February 24, 2009, 10:32:26 am »

you need a wireless router and a wireless card for your laptop. You can get a Belkin relatively inexpensively. Computers can also be plugged directly into the router with a cable

SlimPickens · « **Reply #2 on:** February 24, 2009, 10:52:22 am »

before buying a wireless card for you laptop, check your laptop because it may already have one.

weekapaug19 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 24, 2009, 11:21:31 am »

Quote from: SlimPickens;220692

before buying a wireless card for you laptop, check your laptop because it may already have one.

I can pick up wireless internet at other places (library). I\'m guessing that means I have one.

So all I would need to do is buy any type of router, plug it into the cable internet, and I should be able to get the internet around the house?

SlimPickens · « **Reply #4 on:** February 24, 2009, 11:24:43 am »

Quote from: weekapaug19;220693

Quote from: SlimPickens;220692
before buying a wireless card for you laptop, check your laptop because it may already have one.

I can pick up wireless internet at other places (library). I\'m guessing that means I have one.

So all I would need to do is buy any type of router, plug it into the cable internet, and I should be able to get the internet around the house?

you betcha

weekapaug19 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 24, 2009, 11:29:29 am »

Quote from: SlimPickens;220694

Quote from: weekapaug19;220693
Quote from: SlimPickens;220692
before buying a wireless card for you laptop, check your laptop because it may already have one.

I can pick up wireless internet at other places (library). I\'m guessing that means I have one.

So all I would need to do is buy any type of router, plug it into the cable internet, and I should be able to get the internet around the house?

you betcha

nice.....thanks

tyzack · « **Reply #6 on:** February 24, 2009, 11:31:26 am »

Quote from: weekapaug19;220693

Quote from: SlimPickens;220692
before buying a wireless card for you laptop, check your laptop because it may already have one.

I can pick up wireless internet at other places (library). I\'m guessing that means I have one.

So all I would need to do is buy any type of router, plug it into the cable internet, and I should be able to get the internet around the house?

No. Different routers are built to different standards and therefore have verring ranges (distance) and capability (bandwidth).

I believe that the current lastest one is IEEE[some numbers].G, which is the one you should get.

Also, if you don\'t like pouchers, secure your network.

weekapaug19 · « **Reply #7 on:** February 24, 2009, 01:12:01 pm »

Quote from: tyzack;220696

Quote from: weekapaug19;220693
Quote from: SlimPickens;220692
before buying a wireless card for you laptop, check your laptop because it may already have one.

I can pick up wireless internet at other places (library). I\'m guessing that means I have one.

So all I would need to do is buy any type of router, plug it into the cable internet, and I should be able to get the internet around the house?

No. Different routers are built to different standards and therefore have verring ranges (distance) and capability (bandwidth).

I believe that the current lastest one is IEEE[some numbers].G, which is the one you should get.

Also, if you don\'t like pouchers, secure your network.

I doesn\'t need to go far (just around the house) so basically I should look for the one with the highest bandwith? And I\'m definetly going to have to secure it, I figure it should be too hard to figure that part out.

this two seem to have good reviews...any input?
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8305568&st=router&lp=2&type=product&cp=1&id=1173577562535

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8544881&st=router&lp=5&type=product&cp=1&id=1188560187813

kindm's · « **Reply #8 on:** February 25, 2009, 11:45:06 am »

802.11 N is the newer protocol for faster wifi speed. What you would want to do is see what protocols your laptop wifi card supports. If it is fairly new it probably has "N" Support.

Linksys is a decent brand and easy to setup

Apple Airports are nice (I have 1 it supports N as well) usually a little pricier than the others

But for the most part they will all do the job. It really comes down to features.

many of the newer wifi routers also support the ability to create a wifi backbone. basically 1 or more wifi routers talking to another to provide the internet access without the need to have the cabled together.

kindm's · « **Reply #9 on:** February 25, 2009, 11:46:23 am »

Quote from: weekapaug19;220738

Quote from: tyzack;220696
Quote from: weekapaug19;220693
Quote from: SlimPickens;220692
before buying a wireless card for you laptop, check your laptop because it may already have one.

I can pick up wireless internet at other places (library). I\'m guessing that means I have one.

So all I would need to do is buy any type of router, plug it into the cable internet, and I should be able to get the internet around the house?

No. Different routers are built to different standards and therefore have verring ranges (distance) and capability (bandwidth).

I believe that the current lastest one is IEEE[some numbers].G, which is the one you should get.

Also, if you don\'t like pouchers, secure your network.

I doesn\'t need to go far (just around the house) so basically I should look for the one with the highest bandwith? And I\'m definetly going to have to secure it, I figure it should be too hard to figure that part out.

this two seem to have good reviews...any input?
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8305568&st=router&lp=2&type=product&cp=1&id=1173577562535

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8544881&st=router&lp=5&type=product&cp=1&id=1188560187813

I have personally never really liked the D-Link stuff but if it is getting good reviews that is good. I have never seen the other or helped a customer with them so I have no input on that 1

weekapaug19 · « **Reply #10 on:** February 25, 2009, 01:11:48 pm »

thanks for the advice...i\'ll let you know how it turns out (probably pick one up this weekend)

bdfreetuna · « **Reply #11 on:** February 25, 2009, 01:15:11 pm »

Just get a cantenna and steal wireless from miles around

kindm's · « **Reply #12 on:** February 25, 2009, 01:54:21 pm »

Quote from: bdfreetuna;220969

Just get a cantenna and steal wireless from miles around

true,

But you never know what the person is doing on the other end. They may have left their wifi open on purpose to steal your info. Happens ALOT.

Mark · « **Reply #13 on:** February 25, 2009, 04:03:21 pm »

Do NOT buy Netgear!! Mine crapped out < 1 yr.

I have had very good luck with my bottom of the line $49 Linksys.

bdfreetuna · « **Reply #14 on:** February 25, 2009, 04:06:04 pm »

Quote from: kindm\'s;220982

Quote from: bdfreetuna;220969
Just get a cantenna and steal wireless from miles around

true,

But you never know what the person is doing on the other end. They may have left their wifi open on purpose to steal your info. Happens ALOT.

Ubuntu linux + JanusPA / TOR

other words... good luck with that!