I dont know what a router does:(

Post by **Mr.Bios** » Sun Nov 27, 2005 12:40 pm

I got a new laptop and I need to connect it to the internet. If I get a wireless router can I connect the laptop to the internet without wires? or am I just being silly. I know that people use a router if they have more than one pc at home, but thats where my knowledge of such things ends.

If I am correct and I can get my laptop connected this way then what makes are good and what should I look for in a router?

Thanks if you can help :icon31:

Post by **raw** » Sun Nov 27, 2005 1:29 pm

If you're on some kind of broadband connection, you can easily go to any retail electronics store and pickup a wireless router to set up.

I currently have a Linksys WRT54GC which I love and works like a champ.

Post by **+JuggerNaut+** » Sun Nov 27, 2005 3:36 pm

i second the linksys wrt54gc - a great router. just make sure you set it up so your network is secure. read up if you don't know what WEP, WPA, or WPA2 means.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireless_security

Post by **Mr.Bios** » Sun Nov 27, 2005 4:05 pm

Do i need this too?: http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satellit ... torWrapper

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Nov 27, 2005 4:09 pm

Mr.Bios wrote:Do i need this too?: http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satellit ... torWrapper

Only if your laptop doesn't have one built in. What sort of laptop is it?

Post by **Mr.Bios** » Sun Nov 27, 2005 4:18 pm

Its a dell inspiron 9300.

On dells website it says the 9300 has this:
"Enhanced communications including integrated 10/100 Ethernet LAN card and a modem 56 Kbps for wired network access in the home or office. The Inspiron 9300 is also equipped with an Intel® PRO/Wireless 93000 (802.11b/g) network card which gives you the freedom to access your e-mail, the Internet - even your company network - anywhere you have access to a wireless network such as airports or hotels.
Integrated dual band antennae (2.4/5GHz) to support 802.11a/b/g wireless networking standards and Bluetooth® 2.0 wireless networking options".

I think thats ok but can someone please verify that I have what I need?

Post by **Foo** » Sun Nov 27, 2005 4:21 pm

Yeah that's fine. It has a wireless card.

Post by **Mr.Bios** » Sun Nov 27, 2005 4:30 pm

Cool. I sent for the router:) Thank you all for the help it was very nice of you.

Post by **FragaGeddon** » Sun Nov 27, 2005 7:49 pm

Wireless is the way to go with a laptop.
Goto the shitter and bring your laptop.
Goto the deck and bring your laptop.

Post by **+JuggerNaut+** » Mon Nov 28, 2005 2:07 am

you're a complete h0m0 if you take your laptop into the bathroom.

Post by **FragaGeddon** » Mon Nov 28, 2005 12:29 pm

I don't have a laptop. Not anymore anyhow.

Post by **obsidian** » Mon Nov 28, 2005 5:58 pm

FragaGeddon wrote:I don't have a laptop. Not anymore anyhow.

Uhoh.... dropped the laptop down the shitter?

Post by **Mr.Bios** » Mon Nov 28, 2005 6:28 pm

Do I need a PCI card for my pc to make this all work? Does the router act as a modem too or do I still need to use the modem I have now? I just read a guide to setting this all up and now im confused again

Post by **+JuggerNaut+** » Mon Nov 28, 2005 8:55 pm

you need to use your current modem>cat5/6>router>pc(s)

the linksys has wireless and wired capabilities. you can just run one of the four ports from the router to your pc as long as you have a network interface card (assuming you do since i'm guessing you have broadband)

Post by **Mr.Bios** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 5:19 pm

I got the modem today but im not going to get anywhere by the looks of it. So you're saying that I need to run the cable from a network card into the back of the router where it says "internet"?

In the manual it says to plug the modem into the router, the "internet" port at the back, but I cant because I have no such spare connections on the back of my modem.

I thought a router was acted as a modem, this is where ive went wrong. I thought you simply plugged the router in and you didnt need any other hardware to make it work.

What do I do? Where do I plug what?

Post by **Foo** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 5:32 pm

Oh dear.

I was slightly worried this would happen.

Right. List the pieces of kit you currently own. Model numbers would be perfect.

You have a receipt for this router or some way of sending it back if needs be, right? Also, how did you get your modem? is it a bundle deal with a connection or do you own it?

Post by **+JuggerNaut+** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 5:36 pm

+JuggerNaut+ wrote:you need to use your current modem>cat5/6>router>pc(s)

the linksys has wireless and wired capabilities. you can just run one of the four ports from the router to your pc as long as you have a network interface card (assuming you do since i'm guessing you have broadband)

Post by **Tormentius** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 5:44 pm

Your DSL or cable line goes into the modem and then there should be one Ethernet cable which comes out of the modem. Plug that cable into the Internet (or WAN) port on your new router.

Post by **Mr.Bios** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 6:12 pm

Oh dear indeed. I have got the Linksys WRT54GC, a Zyxel Prestige 630-C, and the intel wireless thingy in my laptop. Heres a link to my modem: http://www.zyxel.com/product/model.php? ... 1021873638

Just to clarify my modem does not have any ports at the back at all except for one for the phone line and one for the usb cable.

What else do I need? Please dont tell me I need to send the router back :icon28:

Post by **Foo** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 6:20 pm

You have almost a proper set, but the link between your modem and your router is incompatible.

It's our collective faults for not checking this before we said go ahead.

Your options are:
1. Send the router back and purchase either an all-in-one (with a modem built in) or a router which supports USB modems (rare and not very good)
2. Keep the router and get a new modem to replace the USB one (means a bit more money down).

Either way apologies for the confusion and the trouble it's now caused. I personally think your best option is to try and send the router back and/or swap it for an all-in-one model. If you can't return it then the best option will be to upgrade to an ethernet modem as well (I can get you a precise compatable model number if you decide to take this route).

Post by **Mr.Bios** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 6:29 pm

I have opened the router so they probably wont take it back now. I could sell it on ebay and get another one i suppose.

I will have to buy an all in one router just and try to foget about the money ive sepnt on the router I have now. They may well it it back so I can ask and see what they say.

Post by **Mr.Bios** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 6:31 pm

wait. maybe a new modem would be chaper. Zyxel modems seem to be the only ones that ever work for me. I'll see if I can find one with an ethernet connection at the back.

Post by **Foo** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 6:37 pm

You should look at returning it before going down that route, I think. Amazon may take the product back becuase it is incompatable with your existing equipment.

Post by **Tormentius** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 7:03 pm

All apologies. They don't hand out USB modems here so the thought never even crossed my mind.

Post by **Mr.Bios** » Wed Nov 30, 2005 7:20 pm

Nah they wont take it back beacuse its been opened. Ive put it on ebay so I should only few a wee b it of money out of this:) Mistakes happen, so dont worry about it:)

I got a zyxel router/modem so it should arrive tomorrow and ill try again:)

Cheers.