Wireless (again)

I know, I know. It's been asked before.

So, the computer is changing rooms. Currently, the NTL cable comes into an upstairs room, but we want to move the computer downstairs.

There's so much jargon though! 802.11b/g/n, 54/108MBPS, ADSL2/2+.........

Wossat then?

I'm willing to pay extra to make sure I'm getting something fast and reliable.

Any recommendations of a router modem thingy and a card thingy I can stick inside the desktop?

Much appreciated.

 

wireless G should be fine.
one of these
http://www.broadbandbuyer.co.uk/Shop/ShopDetail.asp?ProductID=2324
and one of these
http://www.broadbandbuyer.co.uk/Shop/ShopDetail.asp?ProductID=3475

 

Thanks Robert!

I was expecting it to cost about double that! I'm willing to spend extra if it'll give me extra reliability.

Am I correct in thinking I simply remove the current NTL MOdem thingy, and put the cable into this instead?

Thanks again.

 

Typically you need at least one computer to be connected to a wireless router using a cable - this is so that you can use that computer to configure the router.

If you only have one computer, you don't really need a router, wireless or not.

Also, you must have a cable modem to receive the broadband connection - how is this connected to your computer at present?

 

Aah just looked at the specs of the router robert recommends....you can configure using a cable and then use wirelessly.

1) Disconnect current cable modem from computer and from cable from NTL and discard

2) Connect new "cable modem with wireless router" to NTL cable and electricity suply

3) Connect to computer using network cable

4) Follow instructions in manual to set up your broadband provider

5) Follow instrcutions from manual to set up wirelss network

6) Disconnect computer from you new router and install the wireless Lan card

7) Move computer to new location

8) set-up wireless networking on computer and surf away

 

Will the card have the necessary connection (and be supplied with cable?) to connect the router and computer? My computer's ancient so don't think it has the required connctions. Or do I need another card for that too?
If this card doesn't have the required connection, are there ones which have it all in one?

There's currently only one computer but I'm (slooooooooooooooowly saving for a laptop), and also want girlfriend/friends to be able to access it when they come over.

Thanks.

 

Sorry for dealy in replying.....

1) Your computer will need a network card to connect via cable to the broadband router (you need this to configure the router)

You can get one fairly cheap (£5) see link below
http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/117113


You will also need a CAT5 cable - about 60p see link
http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/19493


2)You will need the Buffalo Cable Broadband router that robert linked to. This is many devices in one box
i) a wireless network hub
ii) a wired network switch (or hub)
iii) a cable modem

3) You will need a PCI wireless network card for you computer
(e.g. like one robert linked to)


4) Make sure you have a spare PCI slot in your computer first
You can replace the wired netwrok card with the wireless one after you configure the router if you only have one spare PCI slot

 

Mo your computer needs an ethernet connection, I don't know quite how old you computer is, but most have had that fitted for the last 7 years. Check on the back, it looks a bit like a phone socket.

 

Thanks for the replies!

I've no ethernet on my computer so a card will be needed. Is there a network card that will also have an ethernet socket? Or should I just get them seperate? Sure I've got 1 free slot inside, but not sure if there's two!

I've seen bundles of routers with the USB type hub thingies (yet again, my use of techinical terms amazes me), for about £50 or even less. Are these worth considering?

I thought I'd look for the N type, but can only seem to find G. Is it worth going for N?

Thanks again.

 

I wouldn't go for n in your case unless you know of a specific requirement to. The standard is still in draft, and you don't sound like you want to expose yourself to fiddling needs later.

 

The network card linked in my previous post will suffice (£5). It is an ethernet network card. The terms are used interchangeably. if you want to be pedantic, "ethernet" is the network protocol used and the card I linked to supports this. It is one of the most widely used netwrk protocols.

If your computer does not have a network card, I'm surprised it has USB support - have you added a USB card?

Post a link to the USB product you are thinking of getting. To be honest, the one that robert linked to (the buffalo) is probably up there with the best on the market in terms of features and reliability.

 

If you have USB you can use a USb wireless client adaptor instead of the PCI one that robert linked to.

Then you could use the spare PCI slot for the ethernet wired network card and USb for the wireless adaptor. Shouldn't be £50 though, more like £17

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/60014

 

The computer must be coming up for 10 years old now (XP, PIII 450Mhz, 512MB, and about 150GB drive space). It had two USB ports, and I've added a card with 5 MOre, aswell as the extra drive space and ram.

Apart from currently having no sund (not sure if it's the computer itself, or the speakers ), it runs find for day to day use. It's only really photo editing that shows it up.

The USB products I mentioned are bundles. Not £50 for just the USB adaptor!

"NETGEAR DG834G ADSL2+ Wireless Modem / Router with USB Adapter Bundle" £49.99

Example: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/119374

Another question... Does the fact I'm using NTL effect my choice of what I use?

 

Is that NTL/Virgin cable?

 

oops. Forgot they'd changed to virgin! But yes, that's what I meant Virgin. Though it still says NTL on the broadband MOdem

 

Just checked inside the case and I've only one spare slot. There's 3 on the board. 1 has the usb card and the other has a sata card.

So, do I get the ethernet card, then just replace it with the wireless card after set up? Assuming I wont need to keep the ethernet card in place???

Or do I go for one of the USB wireless adapter things? Will a proper card give better results?

Also, regarding the buffalo router Robert mentioned in the first reply..... I see no mention of this being a MOdem too. Is it just a router which I'll need to use with the current MOdem, or will it simply slot in its place. And, will it definitely work ok with my ntl/virgin broadband?

My head hurts.

Thanks again

 

Okay -to answer you questions in order:

1) You cannot get any router, must be a Broadband router with built in CABLE modem. The router bundle you linked to has an ADSL modem for BT etc users, not cable users. Cable broadband (also called DSL) is distinct from ADSL broadband. ( A is for Asynchronous,upload and download speeds are not the same in ADSL)

2) You can use your spare slot for the ethernet network card

3) Get a USB wireless adaptor then you do not need to remove ethernet card from the spare slot - use one of your USB ports

I'm sure you can get a cable router bundle as well. See this one

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=221142&doy=2m10&C=SO&U=strat15

 

I didn't answer you last question:

4) The buffalo router robert has linked to has a cable modem as well. That is why it is called a "cable broadband router" and not just a wireless network hub. In the description it clearly says:

"This Smart Router automatically detects and configures your Cable or DSL internet connection"

Having looked at this, you probably don't even need to configure it (auto set-up) so you could even dispense with getting the ethernet network card and cable

However, for £5 it is probably worth having in my opinion (in case the auto configuration doesn't work for whatever reason). Also I can't see how you would configure the wireless netwrk without having a cable connection to the router

 

Thanks again for taking the time to help me.

It was the bit at the bottom that made me unsure if I'd need to also have a seperate MOdem...

The reviews of the buffalo one sound very good so I'd like to build the set up around that one and if possible order it all from the same site (guessing it'll save on postage).

I know I'm a pain in the ass, but if you could take the time to link to all the items I need (assuming they're all available from broadbandbuyer), that would be much appreciated.

I'm a little concerned about if the the USB thing would be as good as using a card. It's not got an antena for a start.
Are the USB adaptors specific to ntl and bt set ups too?

Thanks again.

 

Apologies, you are right, the Buffalo router does not have a cable modem included. You need to have a separate cable modem with ethernet connection (like a US phone socket but a bit bigger - called RJ45)

How does your current cable modem connect to your computer? Is it USB?

Let me know and I will then send you a link to all the stuff you need to get

Also don't worry about the USB wireless adapter - the antena is built into the body of the device which sticks out like a pen drive.