[SOLVED] amateur needs help

778 Views 12 Replies 3 Participants Last post by scratchmyhead, Mar 31, 2011

scratchmyhead

Discussion Starter · Mar 31, 2011

Hi guys

ive just bought a new Toshiba laptop:grin: that has Windows 7 and is 64bit

i want to set up a wireless network in my home but have no clue on want equipment i need or how to set it up with my desktop pc which is 32 bit and runs windows XP

ive watched a few youtube vid's and looked on PCworld web site and read a few online how to pages, but it all just fly's over my head.

i believe i have a modem/router which is not wireless which was provided by sky.

i want to be able to have a high speed network, my laptop says it has a 300mbps whatever that means

any help please

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Old Rich

· #2 · Mar 31, 2011

Re: amateur needs help

If the Modem is also a Router and has open ethernet ports, all you need is a Wireless Acess Point:

Newegg.com - Computer Hardware,Networking,Wireless Networking,Wireless AP / Bridges,Up to 300Mbps

Oddly, it is often cheaper to buy a Wireless Router and then change the settings to make it an Access Point . We can help with that if you want

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scratchmyhead

Discussion Starter · #3 · Mar 31, 2011

Re: amateur needs help

my router does have four ethernet ports, one of which is being used by my PC

so are you saying it would be better for me to just buy a new wireless router, you lost me a little about settings and access point.

i also want to use my laptop when i visit my parents home and my girlfriends home, neither have network set, and one uses cable and the other DSL, so how would i set up in both those locations also. is there something i could just plug into their USB slots that would enable me to connect to the internet.

i guess you just need to help me with my own home first,

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Old Rich

· #4 · Mar 31, 2011

Re: amateur needs help

It would be simpller to buy an Access Point . . It might be cheaper to buy a Router, and turn it into an Access Point ( not simple, but not terribly complex either )

For parents and GF, it will depend on their modems and whether they are also routers or not.

No USB device would allow you to set up a wireless network

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scratchmyhead

Discussion Starter · #5 · Mar 31, 2011

Re: amateur needs help

Old Rich said:
It would be simpller to buy an Access Point . . It might be cheaper to buy a Router, and turn it into an Access Point ( not simple, but not terribly complex either )

For parents and GF, it will depend on their modems and whether they are also routers or not.dont think either are router as neither has extra Ethernet ports:4-dontkno

No USB device would allow you to set up a wireless networkthats just pants:sigh:

not sure what you mean by Access Point (its ok if that makes me sound stupid

im not pc savvy)

ive seen a Surf+/Share Wireless USB Adaptor could i use this at my parents/gf house

sorry to question things, but going to a shop i feel i always get ripped off by the sales people, when they know your no good with PC techno stuff.

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Old Rich

· #6 · Mar 31, 2011

Re: amateur needs help

An Access Point allows you to access the router wirelessly.

The Surf & Share Wireless USB Adapter connects your laptop or desktop computer to an exisating wireless network. . . it will not set up a wireless network

See if this helps your understanding of networking . .

home networking with TCP/IP and Microsoft Windows

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Wand3r3r

· #7 · Mar 31, 2011

Re: amateur needs help

if your parents and GF don't have wireless routers your only choice is to carry a cable and unplug them from the modem and plug yourself in.

Unless you are going to install a wireless router for each of them.
Then you could use your wireless from your laptop

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scratchmyhead

Discussion Starter · #8 · Mar 31, 2011

Re: amateur needs help

ok im going to ask a really stupid question now which will either save the day or make me look even more foolish

how do i check to see if my router is already a wireless router, it has no antenna but have read that some are internal, just been reading that sky provide wireless router, but as mine is a few years old not sure if it is wireless

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Wand3r3r

· #9 · Mar 31, 2011

Re: amateur needs help

you would web search the make/model of the router and read the spec sheet

or you can look at the lights and see if one looks like an antenna with a circles radiating out from the top end point. That is the usual sign for wireless

or you would logon to the router and see if it has a wireless setup page.

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scratchmyhead

Discussion Starter · #10 · Mar 31, 2011

Re: amateur needs help

yes there is a symbol that looks like antenna (lollypop with circles around the head):sigh: said it would make me look stupid

so whats the next step?

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