Computer question: In over my head..

[Jon99]

We have signed up with Comcast for high speed and finally ridding ourselves of the dial up.. We have a second computer in our basement that we would like to have the internet on.. What do I need to create a wireless network?

 

[lsyorke]

You'll need a wireless router and a wireless "card" for the PC. I installed all of these myself.. not hard at all. Two of our three computers in my house are now wireless.. the xbox360 is even wireless.

The router you just have to follow the direction, which are easy. The "card" is a bit more complicated if you do an internal card, which I did, but once you open the CPU it's just a plug in board. You're computer should recognize the new hardward and will do the rest.

Hey, if I can do it... anyone can!!

 

[MAKmom]

I am just subscribing to this so I can find it later. We just networked Comcast in our office with 3 PC but not wireless.

 

[ktpool]

I wouldn't get an internal wireless card. Just get a USB wireless adapter, then it should be pretty much plug and play.

Please get someone who is somewhat knowledgeable about computers to help you set it up securely. The number one mistake people make when setting up a wireless home (and, well, office) network is that they fail to lock it down.

Good luck!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Here is a good review for you too, Jon........

http://www.comcast.net/help/faq/index.jsp?cat=Services#Home_Networking

 

[Jon99]

Looks like the price of a good router is about $100 plus and two wireless cards for about $50.. Sound about right???

Going wireless with highspeed cable, how will the network speed be???

 

[Barb D]

Be sure to check the system requirements on the wireless card/USB thing. One of our computers was too obsolete to get to work on the wireless. It was a Windows 98 machine, and couldn't even be upgraded to XP.

And be sure to encrypt your router when you do set it up, so that your neighbors can't use your wireless connection (and potentially get to the files on your computer.)

 

[Jon99]

Do different cards have different requirements??? We have two computers, a Dell with XP that we bought about a year ago and an HP with ME that is about 5 years old..

 

[Feralpeg]

I set it up so DD could access the internet from her laptop while I'm on the DIS . I bought the wireless router and a wireless card. If I can do it, anyone can!

 

[Jon99]

Did you use the internal cards or the USB????

 

[Feralpeg]

Did you use the internal cards or the USB????

I used the USB.

 

[GoofyDad869]

We have a wireless setup at home. We have a desktop system at the cable router location (in our breakfast nook / office), and two laptops with USB Wireless G adapters. I have an 'ad-hoc' mode setup, WEP secured - as long as we don't venture outside our range with the laptops (theoretic range for Wireless-G is 200-300 feet, realistic range is more like 100-150 feet).

In my setup we don't need a wireless router - it could save you buckaroos too. Also, at one time, our local Home Depot had USB wireless adapters mistakenly priced at $19.97 each - the low end for USB wireless adapters is usually around $40. I did let them know they had it mispriced when I bought my first one (for work, I'm the IT guy) - but it took that store manager 3 weeks to change the price so I stocked up on what I needed.

If it's not a 'must do now' kind of project, I'd wait until the Wireless N standard come out - Wireless N will have much better signal range and speed than Wireless G. There are some 'pre-N' products out right now, but I'm waiting until Wireless-N is ratified and standardized before purchasing. That's part of the existing problem with Wireless-G - some microwave ovens and cordless phones operation interferes with Wireless-G frequencies.