wired networking out-wireless networking in!

netnanna · 10-25-2002, 05:34 AM

During a long (about 3 months) absence from this forum I
came to the conclusion that stringing miles of cat5 among 4
computer positions would cost me more in charges for serious
psychiatric help than I would spend on a wireless Router (Wireless Access Point Router with 4-port switch-2.4 GHz-LINKSYS) and the prerequisite # of cute little LINKSYS WAPS !

SO, I went to the local Best Buy and bought the above-refrerenced router and 3 matching WAPS. (These WAPS
are external and suitable for desktops and/or notebook
networking and the router is set up for wireless and/or
cabled networking)

NOW, I am, so far, a networkwork of ......ONE COMPUTER !*

*HOST: Compaq with 566MHz or thereabouts, running ME
and it has DSL Access to the internet with Earthlink
using ZyXTEL modem.

First Problem: (I don't dare look too far ahead, because those
shrink bills PLUS my now and future wireless
infrastructure-not to mention the not cheap
DSL $ WOULD be a killer !)
Back to problem 1-The first computer I need to network is
running Win98. The WAPS require at least Win98-SE !

DOES ANYONE KNOW WHY ?

While this machine-an EMachine-333 MHz with hard drive and
RAM etc. to match- mfgd. back in 1998-is probably long overdue for replacement by most forum members' standards, and I can get a refurbished Compaq on line which is exactly the same model as the HOST except that it is running XP, I think, for around $250. or a new EMachine with similar capabilities for just a little more $ ... It is $250 more than I envisioned spending....

Second Problem: The third computer (including the HOST) is
the same model of Compaq as the Host-
exactly, except that it is running, NOT, a
failed installation of XP. Possibly it will
accept a reinstallation, but owner has
tried, without success, to go back to ME
or Win98 SE. Obviously this machine
can't be networked until its own problems
are straightened out ! More $ ?
Hopefully, the 4th computer-an almost new Compaq Presario Notebook with a 1.0 GHz, a gazillian Gigs Hard Drive capacity
running XP ! will present no problems when it arrives in a few
days !

Maybe then I will have a network of ...TWO COMPUTERS !

Thanks for bearing with this long, sad recitation from a networking wannabe. I wanted to have the specs. on record
for when the problems REALLY hit the fan !

**Pseudocyber** · 10-25-2002, 06:37 AM

I think I have the same Linksys router as you. What do you mean "matching WAPS"?!? A WAP is a Wireless Access Point. Do you mean Wireless NIC's?

Your first problem - the 98 box. Install the upgrades to get it to '98 SE. Should be free from Microsoft.com.

2nd Problem - wipe the machine and install a fresh OS - whatever version you have.

netnanna · 11-19-2002, 02:23 PM

Thanks Pseudocyber for your reply.
My first question is off the thread and probably should be considered rhetorical-Is an unbacked up message retrievable
from anywhere in the PC by anyone other than the FBI or its ilk?

I carefully described the new blueprint for my network only to lose it between the review ("preview") process and final submit !!

See if I ever do that kind of a proofread here again... Mistakes will just have to be lived with...

Anyway-Network deck has been reshuffled for a fresh deal.

Comp. 1-same-is host-Compaq-speed 566- ME-broadband (DSL)
EARTHLINK-PPPOE-connected by Linksys WAP Router-2.4
Gigs. to Zyxel gateway-all cabled.

Comp. 2-represents major change-Old (speed 333) eMachine
has been replaced by new eMachine-1.84 GHz !! Blazing, even though it's a Celeron, an unthinkable choice to some. (I've
never had anything else since it became available.)

It is networked to host wirelessly with a Linksys WAP Adapter. Gets great reception, usually at least 'very good'
even though the environment the signal must travel through is

fraught with RF killing/scrambling influences such as distance in and out of doors (over 80 feet mixed), several walls, power lines, other RF devices close at hand etc.

Installation was a breeze with the mfg's software-Don't let the
yenta, XP take over the process-go with the softwear all the way.

Did I mention that the new machine is running XP? Did I need to?

Comp. 3 is still OS-less, and I must admit that I don't know how to
"wipe" it -will try to find out how. Barring that solution, the 333,
upgraded to to the required might work as a stop-gap replacement for the ailing Compaq. (I don't know how much
speed is considered minimum to upgrade to XP .........?

Comp. 4's arrival is still pending, but I anticipate no problems , because it is a notebook with 1.0 GHz running XP.Of course,
I won't become truly complacent about any of this until it's

all up and running. Shocks and surprises abound in my
world of computers and seem to 'happen' much more frequently when
I get too relaxed-and/or blase'.

:D

Thanks again, Pseudocyber.

Netnanna

techiechick · 11-19-2002, 02:30 PM

Pseudocyber is awesome he really knows his stuff!!

Cheers!!
TC

10-25-2002, 05:34 AM	#1 (permalink)
netnanna Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Pasadena, CA Posts: 22 OS:	wired networking out-wireless networking in! During a long (about 3 months) absence from this forum I came to the conclusion that stringing miles of cat5 among 4 computer positions would cost me more in charges for serious psychiatric help than I would spend on a wireless Router (Wireless Access Point Router with 4-port switch-2.4 GHz-LINKSYS) and the prerequisite # of cute little LINKSYS WAPS ! SO, I went to the local Best Buy and bought the above-refrerenced router and 3 matching WAPS. (These WAPS are external and suitable for desktops and/or notebook networking and the router is set up for wireless and/or cabled networking) NOW, I am, so far, a networkwork of ......ONE COMPUTER !* *HOST: Compaq with 566MHz or thereabouts, running ME and it has DSL Access to the internet with Earthlink using ZyXTEL modem. First Problem: (I don't dare look too far ahead, because those shrink bills PLUS my now and future wireless infrastructure-not to mention the not cheap DSL $ WOULD be a killer !) Back to problem 1-The first computer I need to network is running Win98. The WAPS require at least Win98-SE ! DOES ANYONE KNOW WHY ? While this machine-an EMachine-333 MHz with hard drive and RAM etc. to match- mfgd. back in 1998-is probably long overdue for replacement by most forum members' standards, and I can get a refurbished Compaq on line which is exactly the same model as the HOST except that it is running XP, I think, for around $250. or a new EMachine with similar capabilities for just a little more $ ... It is $250 more than I envisioned spending.... Second Problem: The third computer (including the HOST) is the same model of Compaq as the Host- exactly, except that it is running, NOT, a failed installation of XP. Possibly it will accept a reinstallation, but owner has tried, without success, to go back to ME or Win98 SE. Obviously this machine can't be networked until its own problems are straightened out ! More $ ? Hopefully, the 4th computer-an almost new Compaq Presario Notebook with a 1.0 GHz, a gazillian Gigs Hard Drive capacity running XP ! will present no problems when it arrives in a few days ! Maybe then I will have a network of ...TWO COMPUTERS ! Thanks for bearing with this long, sad recitation from a networking wannabe. I wanted to have the specs. on record for when the problems REALLY hit the fan !

10-25-2002, 06:37 AM	#2 (permalink)
Pseudocyber NetEngr/Geek Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Earth\US\NC\Charlotte Posts: 1,394 OS: Win2K	I think I have the same Linksys router as you. What do you mean "matching WAPS"?!? A WAP is a Wireless Access Point. Do you mean Wireless NIC's? Your first problem - the 98 box. Install the upgrades to get it to '98 SE. Should be free from Microsoft.com. 2nd Problem - wipe the machine and install a fresh OS - whatever version you have. __________________ AM = :coffee: PM = :cheers: CCNA, NNCSSx2, MCSE (NT), A+, CNA

11-19-2002, 02:30 PM	#4 (permalink)
techiechick MUSCLES! Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Amazonia Posts: 259 OS: NT, XP, 2000	Pseudocyber is awesome he really knows his stuff!! Cheers!! TC __________________ Chicks With MUSCLES ROCK!! ‹^›'-'‹^› http://hometown.aol.com/sophiegoddess/myhomepage/profile.html GO HEAVY OR GO HOME!

11-19-2002, 02:23 PM	#3 (permalink)
netnanna Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Pasadena, CA Posts: 22 OS:	Thanks Pseudocyber for your reply. My first question is off the thread and probably should be considered rhetorical-Is an unbacked up message retrievable from anywhere in the PC by anyone other than the FBI or its ilk? I carefully described the new blueprint for my network only to lose it between the review ("preview") process and final submit !! See if I ever do that kind of a proofread here again... Mistakes will just have to be lived with... Anyway-Network deck has been reshuffled for a fresh deal. Comp. 1-same-is host-Compaq-speed 566- ME-broadband (DSL) EARTHLINK-PPPOE-connected by Linksys WAP Router-2.4 Gigs. to Zyxel gateway-all cabled. Comp. 2-represents major change-Old (speed 333) eMachine has been replaced by new eMachine-1.84 GHz !! Blazing, even though it's a Celeron, an unthinkable choice to some. (I've never had anything else since it became available.) It is networked to host wirelessly with a Linksys WAP Adapter. Gets great reception, usually at least 'very good' even though the environment the signal must travel through is fraught with RF killing/scrambling influences such as distance in and out of doors (over 80 feet mixed), several walls, power lines, other RF devices close at hand etc. Installation was a breeze with the mfg's software-Don't let the yenta, XP take over the process-go with the softwear all the way. Did I mention that the new machine is running XP? Did I need to? Comp. 3 is still OS-less, and I must admit that I don't know how to "wipe" it -will try to find out how. Barring that solution, the 333, upgraded to to the required might work as a stop-gap replacement for the ailing Compaq. (I don't know how much speed is considered minimum to upgrade to XP .........? Comp. 4's arrival is still pending, but I anticipate no problems , because it is a notebook with 1.0 GHz running XP.Of course, I won't become truly complacent about any of this until it's all up and running. Shocks and surprises abound in my world of computers and seem to 'happen' much more frequently when I get too relaxed-and/or blase'. :D Thanks again, Pseudocyber. Netnanna