Home networking between desktop and 1 laptop

[EGKK931]

Hi,

I have BT Broadband using a BT Voyager 105 ADSL USB Modem. I want to set up a network at home where I can share this internet connection and also be able to use instant messenger services between the 2 computers on the network is this possible?

I am thinking of getting this wireless router:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000TZ8Z8/qid=1145781477/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl/203-7840806-9700726

Would that be compatible with my BT broadband internet connection?
I have a Dell desktop and Dell laptop and at present the desktop has the connection to the internet and the laptop doesn't.

How would I set up this wirless router is it is suitable do I just follow instructions and away I go or is it more complex? Also, will I still need my BT Voyager modem?

Cheers

[timmcat]

If you get something like this (http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/product/seo/123014) package, you won't need anything else (or your existing modem).

Connect the router to the PC with an ethernet cable (probably supplied) - configure it as per the instructions which are usually quite straight forward. Once that's done, plug the USB adaptor into your laptop, again follow the simple (hopefully!) instructions and you are away.

Later on, if you wish to site the router away from the PC, you could install a wireless PCI card into your main computer. Not necessary, but sometimes convenient.

[EGKK931]

Thanks for reply.

So if I got that package would connect it to desktop and configure following the insturctions and then do the same to laptop and then it is ready to go? Would I need to keep the BT modem for the configuration or not?

Do both computers need network cards? I want the network to be wireless - I thought the router transmits and then network card in laptop receives the signal?

Would the desktop have to be connected to the internet for the laptop to be able to connect? Also, would instant messenging programs such as MSN work between the network?

Cheers

[timmcat]

So if I got that package would connect it to desktop and configure following the insturctions and then do the same to laptop and then it is ready to go?

Yes, but you don't need to physically connect the router to the laptop at any time.

Would I need to keep the BT modem for the configuration or not?

No

Do both computers need network cards?

No - in your case the router would be wired to the network socket in your PC - the USB adaptor does the same job as a network card in your laptop.

I want the network to be wireless - I thought the router transmits and then network card in laptop receives the signal?

It will be, and it does.

Would the desktop have to be connected to the internet for the laptop to be able to connect?

No. It wouldn't even have to be switched on.

Also, would instant messenging programs such as MSN work between the network?

Yes, using two different accounts.

[EGKK931]

No - in your case the router would be wired to the network socket in your PC - the USB adaptor does the same job as a network card in your laptop.

Please can you explain this sorry! Do you mean the router can be wired by USB as well as wireless?

Thanks for help. :ok:

[asuweb]

What timcat meant was that the desktop would be wired to the router - this is done by connection one of the 4 LAN (Local Area Network) ports on the router to your NIC (Network Interface Card) on the desktop. (This is of, of course, assuming that you have a NIC?)

The method described by timcat is the most logical. It is possible to connect the desktop using a wireless connection, however is uneccesary given that the router will be next to the desktop anyway.

[spannersatcx]

EGKK931, I have just installed the same netgear wireless router on my home system. I also use BT.

The router connects to the main pc with a network cable (not usb).

Can we assume that the laptop already has wireless! If not then you would need the usb wireless adapter for that, other wise it's not needed.

If so, once you connnect the router to your pc, then fire up the laptop and it should find the wireless signal.

It literally took 5 mins to get them up and running (maybe less)

You would then need to configure the wireless security of the router so that only you and your laptop use you internet connection and not the whole street where you live.

[EGKK931]

spannersatcx,

Do you plug the router into the modem wall socket on the BT internet? Fail to understand where the internet connection comes from if you get rid of the BT modem etc.

Thanks for telling me sounds easy and simple so will go for it and see how I get on. If any of you can answer and explain my question above would be most grateful.

Is the signal always 'live' so either computer can be on? and one is off?

Cheers

[asuweb]

The router has a built in modem - hence no need for the BT modem.

You plug the router into the ADSL micro filter (on the wall) in the same way that the BT modem is attached at the moment.

Don't worry, the cable from the filter to router will only fit in one port, and the instructions that will come with the router will give you a pictorial guide.

[spannersatcx]

EGKK931, there is a picture here (http://www.netgear.com/products/details/DG834G.php) that shows the connections. The router comes with a cable to connect to the pc network card, it also comes with a cable and microfilter to plug into the phone line.

As previously stated, you can box the BT router as the netgear has an adsl modem in it. It literally is take it out of the box plug in and go.

The only problem I had was setting the security, but that is quite straight forward once you know how. Let us know if you need help with that later.

[rufus.t.firefly]

EGKK931 , funnily enough I entered the world of wireless this week.

I have a Toshiba L20 (with wireless built in). I have to admit that I tried in vain to set up the damn thing myself , together with my desktop pc which has no ethernet port fitted. Watch how you place your ADSL filters on the BT phone line I had one in the wrong place and it costs me hours of head scratching and choice language. I could access wireless on the pc's but not access the internet..... watch out if you run an extension cable on one main phone socket for another pc/phone in the house.

In the end We used a USB Wireless unit into my dektop pc , after configuration of the router downstairs on the laptop.

Both machines now work totally wireless .... not being au fait with networking I ended up getting a PC Networking specialist in to do it for me , he charged me a minimum 1 hours labour for 30 -45 mins work. Worth it if you are liable to screw things up !!

Keep your old BT Modem + Leads and CD Installation Package to use in the future if things go pearshaped.....but dont try to run a router + Voyager ADSL modem installed at the same time ...that was one of my problems ...doh !!!

Good luck , it's brilliant when it works ... you'll be on the net all the time

[Loose rivets]

I have a fairly brisk PC, but an old Sony 233 mhz laptop, which works quite well as a WP. Will this be woomphy ( a technical term ) enough to live with my SBC wireless device....and did I understand that I can connect it with a cable into the L-T's USB port until I get a wireless device to replace the modem?

Of course, I've held back on this cos i might upgrade the L-T

[moleslayer]

I am also having trouble !!..................any ideas gratefully received.

DELL pc,win98se.....without NIC card, currently using the old bt 'green frog'.

Purchased NETGEAR router,hub,modem etc, along with NIC ethernet card.

Installed card+drivers, checked system devices.........all ok.

Set up router & simply connected ethernet cable to pc.

Open browser to log on to router, and up comes the old "this program has performed an illegal operation and will shut down". Tried 3 different browsers,all shut down,so unable to access 'set-up wizard'.

Using the same router I have quickly & easily set up the wireless connection to my ASUS notebook (xp pro), so I know the router equip't. is OK.

Any clues anyone?

moley.

[spannersatcx]

At a guess, as wi-fi etc was not around in the days of win98se this may be the route cause of the problem.

[moleslayer]

At a guess, as wi-fi etc was not around in the days of win98se this may be the route cause of the problem.

.......yes that's true, but the Hardware & Drivers are specifically for win98se, and I only want a 'hard-wired ethernet connection', not wi-fi.

So I'm still stumped :{

moley.

[spannersatcx]

moleslayer, have a browse of this netgear forum (http://forum1.netgear.com/support/index.php?sid=37fc5b08691b53620b3bdbec89ec0fc8), don't know if the answer is there, if not may be worth asking the question there, hope it helps.

[Saab Dastard]

moleslayer,

How old is the Dell PC? Specifically what version of PCI slots does it have, and what version of PCI slot does the network card require?

Control Panel, Networks, Properties should enable you to check that the settings are correct - i.e. TCP/IP installed and Client for Microsoft Networks installed, at a minimum. If IPX or NetBeui are installed, then remove them.

Assuming that the NIC is hardware compatible, you should be able to check your network card settings via RUN WINIPCFG (IIRC, it's been a while since I used Win 9x).

Next, use Run, Command and ping localhost, then ping 127.0.0.1, then ping the IP address of your router, then ping www.bbc.co.uk. If that all works then your problem is with the browser. If it doesn't, then you have a network problem.

Have you used a modem with dial-up access to t'interweb on that PC in the past? Is it possible that IE has retained settings from that configuration, such that it's trying to dial out?

You should be able to access IE Properties without launching it by right-clicking the IE icon on the desktop (it's not an ordinary shortcut).

SD

[moleslayer]

Thanks for all that SAAB.................I've just had a chance to run some checks on the system, and I think the problem is 'old age' !!

The computer is an old year 2000 vintage 733MHz Dell, analysis reveals the bios supports PCI 2.1, whereas the NIC card requires 2.2. Slots are 2.1 also.

The old girl has been upgraded a lot over the last 6 yrs, so I'll probably get a new mobo and shovel all the good bits into the case.

Appreciate the help :ok:

moley.

[Saab Dastard]

moleslayer,

The PCI compatability issue is one I've fallen foul of myself, and I highlighted it in a post about 6 months ago.

It isn't at all obvious - for the vast majority, PCI is PCI and it's only in the very fine print that the differences are noted.

I've put a link into the FAQ sticky - "Thinking of adding a PCI card to your old(ish) PC?"

SD

[DBTL]

Simple. Dump the USB-connected ADSL set, the 1.1 USB speed of your computer would not have been fast enough anyway (about 200k max). Get any ADSL modem with a DHCP client/host and several ethernet connectors. (There's one setting [VPI/VCI] that may need to be modified, but they should be able to tell you) Win98SE is no problem, it's just recent enough, the 1st ed. Win98 is not. You also need one network adapter card each, but they are cheap, for the portable ask for a used PCMCIA one.

[newswatcher]

Apologies if I missed the vital bit of information earlier in this thread but, supposing I wished also to "share" a printer, which is USB connected to my desk-top, with a lap-top, could that be done as an extension of the above solution for sharing broadband?

:O :confused:

[bjkeates]

If I understand what you mean correctly - that is, two computers, one printer and you wish the two computers to share that one printer - then you have two options:

1) Leave it connected via USB to one computer as you have at the moment. You can print to it from the other computer via your network - wired or wireless - but the host computer, the one with the printer attached to it, would need to be switched on when printing. Regardless of your setup, if your printer is connected to a specific computer, then that computer MUST be on to for it to print.

2) Get one of these (http://www.dabs.com/productview.aspx?Quicklinx=3774&CategorySelectedId=11179&PageMode=1&NavigationKey=11179,4294960035) for your network. (Sorry mods, not promoting that particular retailer, just the best example I can find.) It works for your printer exactly like a broadband modem shares a broadband connection - any computer can use it and you don't need to have any particular one switched on for it to work.

[extreme P]

A free download called Hamachi allows printer sharing, file sharing, and access to the desktop while on the road as long as the desired folders are shared. Takes less than five minutes to set up and works perfectly.

[newswatcher]

Thanks guys, so it looks as though I need two wireless routers and appropriate networking cards, if I want to "share" my broadband and printer, without having to leave desk-top switched on all the time.

Will look at Hamachi over weekend.

[Saab Dastard]

Thanks guys, so it looks as though I need two wireless routers and appropriate networking cards, if I want to "share" my broadband and printer, without having to leave desk-top switched on all the time.

Why do you need two wireless routers?

Yes, you will need a network card in each computer. These will be wireless or copper depending on your circumstances.

Your choices for the printer are either to get a dedicated network print server that can be wired or wireless, or get a single unit that is a combined: broadand router, wireless access point, 10/100 switch, firewall and print server (parallel or USB) - delete as appropriate.

SD

[newswatcher]

Saab Dastard, I think I may have missed the point. I thought that if I have one wireless router, for the broadband access, then I would need another to share the printer. I was not sure if it was possible to get a composite device into which I can plug my broadband and printer.

You say it is, so I will investigate.

Anyone got a preference for this device?

[spannersatcx]

THREAD HIJACK - sorry:(

My brother has a laptop and has just brought a wireless router, he does not have a pc just the laptop. Router is linksys I believe.

Can he just plug the router in to the phone line switch it on and access the wireless part of the router? Man at pc world told him it's easy to set up! Not looking that way though.

I always thought (stands to be corrected) that you needed the router connected to a pc (or laptop) with a cable.

[bjkeates]

No, the wireless router will not need to be connected to a PC.

What connection do you have, and what model is your Linksys router?

If you have an ADSL (phone line) connection and your router has a built-in modem like most do these days, then yes you can plug it straight into the phone line and switch it on, and your laptop (assuming you have a wireless adaptor in it) should detect it. Judging from what you said about it coming from a shop, this seems most likely.

If you have a Cable (NTL, Telewest, etc) connection and your setup is similar to what I had in my university house last year, you'll need to plug the router via an ethernet cable into the back of the cable modem, which will have already been installed and connected to the network by your provider - and not into a phone line.

But the short answer to your question, "does it have to be connected to a PC" is no.

[spannersatcx]

Thanks, just spent an hour on the phone with him, got the router set up, so have that working, the problem now seems to be accesing tiscali, give that a go tomorrow.

Don't think I could ever work on phone support though, mind you it would help if I knew what I was talking about in the first place.:eek: :confused: