Connecting to wireless router, etc.

kstoner01 · 11-24-2007, 12:54 PM

My new laptop and desktop have integrated wireless cards. I have my other computer (2yrs old) will have a wireless adapter. I want to put my desktop in a room without a phone cord, does the wireless router and DSL "have" to be hooked to a computer? If not how do I hook it up to work without being attached to a computer?

**sobeit** · 11-24-2007, 01:17 PM

no you do not have to hook your modem/wireless router to a computer. You setup a desktop the same way you would a laptop. Just need a wireless card.

That said, IMO, its always best to have at least one computer hooked up via wire. It makes it easier and faster to download stuff.

kstoner01 · 11-24-2007, 01:24 PM

The instructions with the router say to hook to back of computer. So if I decide to not have at least one wired where does the plug that goes from the router to the computer go?

**sobeit** · 11-24-2007, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kstoner01

The instructions with the router say to hook to back of computer. So if I decide to not have at least one wired where does the plug that goes from the router to the computer go?

if you are not going to plug in a computer, its not needed. Ignore it.

kstoner01 · 11-25-2007, 05:40 AM

Thank you for your help.

**johnwill** · 11-25-2007, 08:17 AM

You are getting bad advice here.

You should connect with a cable for the initial configuration of the router, then you can run all the machines wirelessly. How can you configure the wireless connectivity while you're connected wirelessly, think about it?

**sobeit** · 11-25-2007, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnwill

You are getting bad advice here.

You should connect with a cable for the initial configuration of the router, then you can run all the machines wirelessly. How can you configure the wireless connectivity while you're connected wirelessly, think about it?

Maybe I misunderstood but the way I read it, the router was already setup for the two new computers and this person is wanting to add the old desktop. If this is the case, it is not bad advise. If this is not the case, then I should have asked for clarification.

**johnwill** · 11-25-2007, 09:03 AM

I think maybe I misread this one, if it's just configuring an additional wireless machine with no changes to the router, you'd be correct.

kstoner01 · 11-25-2007, 10:32 AM

I am very green when it comes to this stuff. I use a computer all day but setting up is not my strong point. I thank you for the correct advice. I have my router already set up hooked to my DSL but it's currently hooked to my desktop that doesn't have a card. My question is, if I get a wireless card for the original desktop, Dell Dimension 3000 (2yrs old) and my other desktop (is already wireless Dell 530, brand new) and my Dell 1520 Inspiron wireless Laptop (brand new) what do I do with the cable that's hooked to the current desktop and the new router. Is that just because it's there and it's currently not wireless. So once I get a wireless adapter/card for the old computer I can just disconnect that one cable? I am so sorry to be so needy.

kstoner01 · 11-25-2007, 10:36 AM

OK I just read the other message. Pretty much the only reason that one cable is hooked to the computer is because it's currently not setup for wireless. Once I get the adapter/card then I can just take it off. I appreciate it both comments and everyone's help.

**johnwill** · 11-25-2007, 03:09 PM

Yep, I jumped the gun on that one, sobeit666 was correct.

11-24-2007, 12:54 PM	#1 (permalink)
kstoner01 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: florida Posts: 5 OS: Windows XP	Connecting to wireless router, etc. My new laptop and desktop have integrated wireless cards. I have my other computer (2yrs old) will have a wireless adapter. I want to put my desktop in a room without a phone cord, does the wireless router and DSL "have" to be hooked to a computer? If not how do I hook it up to work without being attached to a computer?

11-24-2007, 01:17 PM	#2 (permalink)
sobeit TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: NEAR Posts: 7,433 OS: windows/linux	Re: Connecting to wireless router, etc. no you do not have to hook your modem/wireless router to a computer. You setup a desktop the same way you would a laptop. Just need a wireless card. That said, IMO, its always best to have at least one computer hooked up via wire. It makes it easier and faster to download stuff.

11-24-2007, 01:24 PM	#3 (permalink)
kstoner01 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: florida Posts: 5 OS: Windows XP	Re: Connecting to wireless router, etc. The instructions with the router say to hook to back of computer. So if I decide to not have at least one wired where does the plug that goes from the router to the computer go?

11-25-2007, 05:40 AM	#5 (permalink)
kstoner01 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: florida Posts: 5 OS: Windows XP	Re: Connecting to wireless router, etc. Thank you for your help.

11-25-2007, 08:17 AM	#6 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,940 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: Connecting to wireless router, etc. You are getting bad advice here. You should connect with a cable for the initial configuration of the router, then you can run all the machines wirelessly. How can you configure the wireless connectivity while you're connected wirelessly, think about it? __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

11-25-2007, 09:03 AM	#8 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,940 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: Connecting to wireless router, etc. I think maybe I misread this one, if it's just configuring an additional wireless machine with no changes to the router, you'd be correct. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

11-25-2007, 10:32 AM	#9 (permalink)
kstoner01 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: florida Posts: 5 OS: Windows XP	Re: Connecting to wireless router, etc. I am very green when it comes to this stuff. I use a computer all day but setting up is not my strong point. I thank you for the correct advice. I have my router already set up hooked to my DSL but it's currently hooked to my desktop that doesn't have a card. My question is, if I get a wireless card for the original desktop, Dell Dimension 3000 (2yrs old) and my other desktop (is already wireless Dell 530, brand new) and my Dell 1520 Inspiron wireless Laptop (brand new) what do I do with the cable that's hooked to the current desktop and the new router. Is that just because it's there and it's currently not wireless. So once I get a wireless adapter/card for the old computer I can just disconnect that one cable? I am so sorry to be so needy.

11-25-2007, 10:36 AM	#10 (permalink)
kstoner01 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: florida Posts: 5 OS: Windows XP	Re: Connecting to wireless router, etc. OK I just read the other message. Pretty much the only reason that one cable is hooked to the computer is because it's currently not setup for wireless. Once I get the adapter/card then I can just take it off. I appreciate it both comments and everyone's help.

11-25-2007, 03:09 PM	#11 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,940 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: Connecting to wireless router, etc. Yep, I jumped the gun on that one, sobeit666 was correct. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience