Networking

Ok, am moving next week--will then have two desktops and one of two laptops to network. Not having done this, and considering going with a wireless network, I have questions :p

First off--laptop is old--not sure which one I will wind up with, but I really use it only for writing papers and such. Either a Dell Latitude P100 <gasp, with 24MB RAM> or another Dell laptop, can't remember the name, but it's a P3/450. I have an ethernet card (not wireless) but not even sure it would work in the P100?

Second, about this item here--
Wireless Linksys Router
We have cablemodem down there (expensive, too--1M down, 512 up, 99.95 a month--here in NY, 1.5down, 1M up, 40.00 a month)

What else do I need along with that router to hook the puters up? Ethernet cards, aye? Do you use regular ethernet cards or are there special ones for wireless networks?

Yea, naive on this stuff ...not my forte' at all..but thanks in advance for the help. Just bear with my "blonde" questions :p

well you need wireless PCI cards for the desktops and you need wireless PCMCIA cards for the laptops but you can almost forget about that s****y unit you have their. Does it even have a PCMCIA slot on it!?!?

Good point LOL

I just looked and no it doesn't. Oh well, that's not a great loss....gives me an excuse to buy another laptop. Problem is that I truly don't NEED one, but I loved playing EQ on the P3/450, sitting in bed or on the recliner. My son has that one atm, so unsure if I am gonna get it back. Doesn't support EQ since Luclin came out anyway...Buying a new one would be mainly for that reason==to not have to sit at my desk :p

So my current ethernet cards are likely no good then...blah....okies....

couple of these http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=10273696&loc=101
and you should be Good to go as long as you have USB ports on all the PC's your gonna connect with.

p.s. you may need to buy the USB cables seprate im not sure if theres one included.

Ok, so Gruumpy, one of those for each desktop then, plus the router and cables is all I need?

If your desktop system is going to be physically near the wireless router, you can just use the existing ethernet card in the desktop - the wireless router has a few wired ports just like a regular hub. There's no point in getting a wireless card for the desktop unless you really need it.

sinrakin is right, you only need the wireless USB adapters for computers that are away from your router.

if your PC sits close to the router theres 4 lan ports on the Router to plug into, then you can use the Network card in your PC assuming you have one.
if not then you may want to go hardwire anyway seeing your close to the router and save some money over the wireless USB.

in that case you would need this http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=10017160&hdwt=30701&loc=101
But you would need to physicly install it and set up the drivers ect.

little more detail on where your PCs are gonna be ect would help

where are you moving, i want that internet access!

Rootus, my access is far better up here in NY, in the burbs LOL
http://www.optimumonline.com

But, I am moving to Camden, Arkansas
http://www.cablelynx.com

The only reason I would even consider the wireless over the wired network is because I DO anticipate getting a new laptop at some point in the next year or so....

double posts > me

Last edited by principessa on 07/03/03 - 11:05; edited 1 time in total

principessa wrote:

But, I am moving to Camden, Arkansas http://www.cablelynx.com

you are SOOOO f****d

notice how there really isn't anyone from arkansas posting on the forums

why do you think that is?

darlin', I intend to be VERY f****d, and often, when I get down there <weg>

there are a few peeps from AR here...
Aki, for one...

You really should have windows 98 to attempt at Networking that old laptop successfully.

It has 98 on it...it has a pcmcia slot, tho, with a modem card in it now, and I do have an ethernet card, just haven't tried using it on that machine cause I don't cart it around when I travel anymore (airport security is a pain)..no usb thingie on it, either....

Like I said, not imperative that it gets hooked up because of what I currently use it for..but when I get a new one, I will want that one hooked up...