Now that I have a new laptop..

cormie

Hi,
I got a new laptop and it has wireless option available.

I want to share a UTV clicksilver broadband connection throughout the house. Mainly just this laptop and another in another room. What is the best option? I have the ZyXEL Prestige 630 modem. It ONLY has USB connection on it. Do I need ethernet? The other laptop has 1 usb port only. Do I need a wireless transmitter? What is the best to get?
Thanks!!

daymobrew

If the modem had ethernet I'd recommend the Linksys WRT54G wireless router. I have it. Simple ethernet cable between modem and router and you'd away. Also has 4 ethernet ports for direct connecting.
Can you swap the modem?

Basq

I had this exact same question a week or two back on Boards.

And am just hooked up via Wireless today.

You need to invest in a Wireless router (providing you already have the Wireless LAN Adapter) on the laptop. Got mine for €50 off Eircom (but i'm an existing Eircom BB customer).

You can order one on Komplett for between €50 and €150 depending on what standard you want.

See my post for more info: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=214210

Boro

Komplett have a 3com wireless router + usb adapter on offer at the moment
http://komplett.ie/k/ki.asp?sku=304347&cks=WYO
89 yoyos is a great price and 3com stuff is excellent too.

NotMe

daymobrew wrote:

If the modem had ethernet I'd recommend the Linksys WRT54G wireless router. I have it. Simple ethernet cable between modem and router and you'd away. Also has 4 ethernet ports for direct connecting.
Can you swap the modem?

I have this router aswell. I bought a Belkin modem in Argos and dumped the UTV one. What I only found out afterwards is that you can get a router with built in modem. That's your best bet.
http://www.linksys.com/international/product.asp?coid=19&ipid=371

cormie

Hi,
Thanks for the replies, however I am still quite unsure as to what I actually need. Here is more information.

Laptop 1:
Intel Centrino mobile technology
400mhz frontsidbus
2mb l2 cache
Intel pro/wireless lan b/g (54mbit)
56K modem
10/100 Mbit LAN
parrallel port
VGA out
TV-Out(svideo)
PCMCIA 1x typ II (Cardbus supported)

Laptop 2 is old enough, it has 1 usb port only, it actually came with a little usb to ethernet adaptor, which is just an ethernet slot at the end of a usb cable. No wireless capabilities as far as I know.

I'm able to connect to eircom hot-spots (sitting outside compatible phone box in car I can go online) with laptop 1so I presume It would be the same for a wireless router?

At the moment we only have a UTV CLICKSILVER ZyXel Prestige 630 which has no ethernet connection on it.

I am not with eircom so would not be able to avail of that offer.



So with this information, which of the three suggestions above should I go for? Or do I need to go for something else now?
Thanks allot!!!

Boro

Well, one option is (if you go with my suggestion of the 3com)

plug the modem into laptop 1.
have laptop 1 connect wirelessly to the 3com router.
put the wireless adaptor in laptop 2 and have that connect wirelessly to the 3com router

another way:
get a new modem (one with ethernet)
plug the new modem into the 3com
plug the wireless adaptor into laptop2
have them both connect wirelessly to the 3com.


there are plenty of people selling dsl modems afaik. I have a spare one lying around (zoom x4) that i have been meaning to flog on for a while now.

Random

Boro wrote:

Komplett have a 3com wireless router + usb adapter on offer at the moment
http://komplett.ie/k/ki.asp?sku=304347&cks=WYO
89 yoyos is a great price and 3com stuff is excellent too.

It's a good deal and I got it myself, but won't be much good to him if he doesn't have an ethernet modem unfortunitly.

cormie

Boro wrote:

Well, one option is (if you go with my suggestion of the 3com)

plug the modem into laptop 1.
have laptop 1 connect wirelessly to the 3com router.
put the wireless adaptor in laptop 2 and have that connect wirelessly to the 3com router

Which modem would i plug into laptop 1? The Prestige?
Why would I need to connect that to laptop 1 if laptop 1 will be connecting wirelessly to the router?
What is the wireless adaptor? Where and how does it fit?

I can't see where the prestige comes into it??

Boro wrote:

another way:
get a new modem (one with ethernet)
plug the new modem into the 3com
plug the wireless adaptor into laptop2
have them both connect wirelessly to the 3com.

If I got a new modem, what would that connect to (the 3com?)??
on the komplett site, what is the USB Adaptor for?


option 2 sounds better because they can both connect wirelessly, but what way would I need to have the router and the ethernet modem set up?


If I was to go for option 2, would your modem be the right one? How much for it?

And what's all this about different speeds, is the 3com one the best you can get for speed or are there faster? or does it matter?


Thanks!

cormie

Ok, i just saw from basquilles thread that the faster is the "g" which is the 3com one on komplett:)

If someone could explain what connects to what I could get a better picture.

So here are the components:

Laptop1 (has wireless)
Laptop2 (only one usb port, has a slot on the side for creditcard modems, pcmcia usb cards and all that)
phone line that has been plugging into my prestige
wireless gateway
wireless usb adaptor
prestige modem(is this in the set up no? Should I keep it incase UTV want it back or could I sell it? would anyone buy it?)
ethernet modem

So if someone could please explain what connects to what I would be very grateful! thanks!

dub45

Put an end to your angst.

1. Buy a gateway with a built in modem - one box simple set up; (give the utv modem away as it is basically worthless except for a one pc set up)

Linksys wag54g or Netgear 834g for instance. These also have the advantage of a good firewall.

2. buy a wireless card (example here) for the 2nd laptop (presumably it has a slot for such cards as it appears fairly recent)

USB can do a similar job but they stick out and prone to getting broke (so the guys in the shops tell me!) so the card is the better option.

IT direct in Parliament Street (if you dont want to use the net) have a good selection.

3. Apply for a spot in the Guinness book of records - never has the purchase of a new laptop generated so many threads on boards!!!!

Boro

Which modem would i plug into laptop 1? The Prestige?

The modem UTV supplied you (with the USB connection)

Why would I need to connect that to laptop 1 if laptop 1 will be connecting wirelessly to the router?

Because you cant connect a USB modem to a router (well not this one anyway)

What is the wireless adaptor? Where and how does it fit?

This is the USB adapter included with the 3com package - sorry i wasnt more clear about that.

The first option i mentioned, was not a good way to do things, just a way to do it with your current hardware.

If I got a new modem, what would that connect to (the 3com?)??
on the komplett site, what is the USB Adaptor for?

If you got a new modem, it would have ethernet. This means it could plug directly into a router, without mucking about. By far the easiest and best option, rather than daisy chaining devices everywhere like the first option i mentioned.

The USB adapter is a wireless adapter - plug it into a usb port (this would be for laptop 2 - you would have to unplug the ethernet adapter you currently have in there) to give wireless networking capabilities to the laptop.

option 2 sounds better because they can both connect wirelessly, but what way would I need to have the router and the ethernet modem set up?

The modem would plug into the back of the router, which would then wirelessly broadcast your DSL connection. Simple enough to set up.

If I was to go for option 2, would your modem be the right one? How much for it?

Any modem with an ethernet connection (like most have bar some that eircom/iol/utv provide) will work for this. My modem is not necessarily needed. Just mentioned it Havent thought about price yet. I probably will put it on the For Sale board soon.

And what's all this about different speeds, is the 3com one the best you can get for speed or are there faster? or does it matter?

Basically 2 speeds, B and G. B is 11mbps (around 700kb/s to 1.2mb/s transfer rate) and G is typically 54mbps (4.5mb/s to 6mb/s transfer rate) . What does it mean? Not a whole lot to you. Both will let you play games, stream music and movies, get the full use of your internet connection, all wirelessly. The only time you will really notice a difference between B and G is when you are copying files - ie its faster over G. Nearly all wireless products sold these days are G based, and some are 'turbo' - ie they boost the speed further. G is backwards compatible with B.

Boro

dub45 wrote:

3. Apply for a spot in the Guinness book of records - never has the purchase of a new laptop generated so many threads on boards!!!!

LOL!

And yeah, what Dub45 said

dub45

All further threads in relation to this laptop should definitely go in the Personal Issues area

cormie

Haha, yeah, this has been allot of stress. It's almost all perfectly set up now though! just need to know how to flash a firmwave on my dvd drive after this! haha.


Ok, I understand now, so I think I'll be getting rid of the UTV modem.

Laptop 2 is a Dell inspiron 5000. I think its from around 1999/2000. It only has one usb connection but it does have a place to plug these things into, I think it actually has two of them.


Well I understand now, but what should I go for, the 3com one and buy new modem or dubs suggestion and get a router with built in modem and then buy a new thing for laptop 2 (what would I need to buy for laptop 2 if going for this option) thanks!

cormie

dub45 wrote:

All further threads in relation to this laptop should definitely go in the Personal Issues area

haha, that actually made me laugh out loud

dub45

cormie wrote:

Haha, yeah, this has been allot of stress. It's almost all perfectly set up now though! just need to know how to flash a firmwave on my dvd drive after this! haha.


Ok, I understand now, so I think I'll be getting rid of the UTV modem.

Laptop 2 is a Dell inspiron 5000. I think its from around 1999/2000. It only has one usb connection but it does have a place to plug these things into, I think it actually has two of them.


Well I understand now, but what should I go for, the 3com one and buy new modem or dubs suggestion and get a router with built in modem and then buy a new thing for laptop 2 (what would I need to buy for laptop 2 if going for this option) thanks!

Please please go to IT Direct as soon as possible. Buy the netgear or the linksys they have both and maybe some other models too. One box is so simple. Boards really could not accomodate the material you would generate trying to get two boxes going.

IT Direct will sell you a wireless card too (you dont need anything else for the laptop) Install the driver shove the card in to one of the slots and you are away! (maybe download the latest driver from the manufacturer when you get it all set up - dunno if I should ever have suggested that).

And oh God there is the thoughts of all the threads when you start to set up security.........................................

Belive me it is all pretty easy just go and get the stuff.

cormie

Ah now I'm not that bad! anyway, I have the SP2 firewall, AVG free and adaware and spybot protect me!

And I'll find out where parliament street is on my own!haha.

What are the prices like? would komplett be much cheaper or not that big a difference? How much do you think it would cost for the box and the card in total? thanks!!!

cormie

Ok,
I'm gettin the Netgear 834g router (€120) and the Netgear wg511 card (€70) from IT Direct.

Is this a good deal? Do I need such an expensive card? The router seems to be priced ok.

The man in IT Direct said the netgear is easier to set up so don't worry folks.

NotMe

€70 seems very expensive for the card. Here's the cheapest one on Komplett (€29):

http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.asp?sku=301534&cks=PRL

cormie

that's crazy! why is it so dear?

Will that work the same as the €70 one? Are they both the same except the make or is one faster/better? Do you think it would have compatability issues that the netgear product wouldnt have?

Shrimp

A word of advise, dont go for the really cheap ones.. i got one thinkin it'd be good value.. turns out it was, but the signal was just very inconsistant.. got for a mid-priced one.. about 50-60.

cormie

Shrimp wrote:

A word of advise, dont go for the really cheap ones.. i got one thinkin it'd be good value.. turns out it was, but the signal was just very inconsistant.. got for a mid-priced one.. about 50-60.

Thanks for that, I suppose €70 aint bad taking that into consideration then! Also taking possible compatability issues into account I'll go for the €70 I think:) thanks for all your help... bring on the setting up thread! haha.


EDIT: ok turns out my brother just bought the above mentioned netgear devices.

Thanks again:)

cormie

I'm posting this on my new connection:)

Just one thing I am concerned about:

I have Intel Pro Set for Wireless and in the General section where it shows connection status (very good) in green it has below:
Network Name
Band
Channell
etc
but it also has Security: NO SECURITY

Is this ok or am I at risk?
also, could my next door neighbours connect to this? could the houses across the road if they had the wg511 card?

Boro

Yes.. kind of. Anyone can connect, not just someone with that card.

You need to turn on WEP. Have a look at the linksys manual.

I dont think the intel pro wireless software supports 128bit wep. If you set up the linksys with 64bit WEP with an ASCII key, then you should be able to match those settings in the laptop.

You have to have the settings the same on both laptops and the router.

How confused are you now?

cormie

I don't have the linksys! I have the netgear, but the guide told me to turn the wep settings off. was that just for installation?

Also, is there much radiaition off this do you reckon?

Boro

er.... right, replace linksys in my previous posts with netgear - same thing anyway

Radiation? Nah probably not much. Probably the same as carrying a mobile around with you or having a microwave in the kitchen.

They advise you to turn WEP settings off for ease of installation but you really should turn them on as soon as possible. They might not stop someone determined, but it will stop the kids next door leeching your bandwidth and copying files off your laptops.

dub45

dub45 wrote:

And oh God there is the thoughts of all the threads when you start to set up security.........................................

Unfortunately I may have been right!!! WAP is the way to go - more secure than wep. Download the latest driver for the netgear card and that should allow you to enable it.

dub45

cormie wrote:

Also, is there much radiaition off this do you reckon?

Has anyone ever mentioned paranoia to you and a compulsive urge to ask questions - any question!

If you keep this up we will be hoping for an excess of radiation

The smileys face is green cos he uses a wireless laptop.

cormie

Well yes actually, I've been told by various people that I ask loads of questions. How else will I learn though? haha.

I'll try dl wap then, I'll give it a shot.

Thanks!

dub45

cormie wrote:

Well yes actually, I've been told by various people that I ask loads of questions. How else will I learn though? haha.

I'll try dl wap then, I'll give it a shot.

Thanks!

You are not downloading WAP as such - you are downloading a new driver for the Netgear Card which allows it to use WAP as a security.

You will have to check too if your new laptop (which generated all these threads:) has a wap option.

If it has then access the router - in wireless settings - give your network a name so that it changes from the default - you should find 'wireless security' pick the wap option - it may be wpa-psk or something like that I forget exactly. Key in your new password - can I suggest 'question'? Save your new settings. Incidentally the netgear router has excellent support alongside each setting they are worth a read.

Then you will have to go back to your laptops - i am not familiar with the new laptop but the netgear software for the other card is very simple to use.

It is best to let the netgear software handle your wireless options it makes things easier - you will be prompted for this at some stage.

Click on the little wireless icon in your tray near the clock. That will bring up the Netgear software. Click on the networks tab and scan for your newly set up network. When the software finds it just click on 'connect' you will then be prompted for security - it goes back to the first tab - click on advanced security - (down towards the bottom right hand corner) and you will be asked for your password - insert the password save the profile and the network will allow you to join in future when you turn it you. You then have to repeat a similar exercise with the 'new' laptop.

There is a further security measure that you can take which we can talk about tomorrow when you have got wap set up!

cormie

Hey thanks for all this.

Ok, my new laptop has and Intel® PRO/Wireless 2200BG Network Connection. In the profile wizard of this software It just has:

Network Authentication [OPEN] and options under open are "shared", "wpa" and "wpa-psk"

then below it has:
Data Encryption [WEP] and "none" is the only other option.

Is this ok or do I need to download new software for the new laptop card? Is the right place to get it from here (the last one in the 2200 box?) which takes you here. It's 43MB, that's hardly what I need just to add the wap option?


It was set on no enryption and I went to the Netgear http site and set up WEP there. It asked me to generate the codes so I put in a word and it gave me 4 10digit options for box 1-4. Should I connect with these or the word I put in?

After I set up the WEP it wouldn't connect. So I had to go to the intel software and put the password in there, I tried to put in the word in the phrasebox, I don't think it worked, but then I put in the 1st 10digit option and chose #1. It is online now (obviosly). I don't know if the other computer is online too or if i have to put in a password there also.

Should I keep the 4 10digit sequences it gave me or do I just need the word I put in?



If I click WPA-PSK it asks me for an 8-63 character phrase or else a 64 hexadecimal to be inputted. the 8-63 or 64 sequences from? Is this the right way to set up the WAP on the *new* laptop? I'll try do it on this first and then the *old* one:)

thanks again!

dub45

cormie wrote:

Hey thanks for all this.

Ok, my new laptop has and Intel® PRO/Wireless 2200BG Network Connection. In the profile wizard of this software It just has:

Network Authentication [OPEN] and options under open are "shared", "wpa" and "wpa-psk"

then below it has:
Data Encryption [WEP] and "none" is the only other option.

Is this ok or do I need to download new software for the new laptop card? Is the right place to get it from here (the last one in the 2200 box?) which takes you here. It's 43MB, that's hardly what I need just to add the wap option?


It was set on no enryption and I went to the Netgear http site and set up WEP there. It asked me to generate the codes so I put in a word and it gave me 4 10digit options for box 1-4. Should I connect with these or the word I put in?

After I set up the WEP it wouldn't connect. So I had to go to the intel software and put the password in there, I tried to put in the word in the phrasebox, I don't think it worked, but then I put in the 1st 10digit option and chose #1. It is online now (obviosly). I don't know if the other computer is online too or if i have to put in a password there also.

Should I keep the 4 10digit sequences it gave me or do I just need the word I put in?



If I click WPA-PSK it asks me for an 8-63 character phrase or else a 64 hexadecimal to be inputted. the 8-63 or 64 sequences from? Is this the right way to set up the WAP on the *new* laptop? I'll try do it on this first and then the *old* one:)

thanks again!

Sorry exhaustion set in and I have been misleading you slightly I have been using wap when I should have been using wpa!

Your new laptop has the wpa option - so if you have set up the netgear as I suggested then choose the wpa sk option on the laptop and enter the password or passphrase or whatever they call it that you set up on the netgear router and the laptop should join the network no problem.

Enter the same password on the old laptop as I described above and both should be and protected. If you do a google search for wpa and wireless security there is loads of stuff out there to be read if you really want to get into it!

Did you know that you can bring your wireless laptop into the kyelmore in the stephen's green center and for the price of a cup of coffee get a half an hours surfing? Keep you from lurking around telephone boxes!

cormie

Ok, well I had to set up the WPA-PSK on the 192 netgear site and put in an 8 character password. Then I set it to wpa-psk on my intel software, it wouldn't connect, then I changed data encryption from WEP to TKIP, Speed is 24MBPS, I think I remember it being 54 before?? band freq is 802.11(2.4GHZ) and the 802.1x protocol is enabled.

Does all this sound right? So now I just download that driver you mentioned for the netgear card and do the same with same password etc?

thanks!

and hey, its not that bad being scrunched up in my car with a laptop parked mysteriously outside a phone box with the odd stare received! Thanks for the tip, I'll probably check it out some time just to look posh;)

cormie

Ok cool, both laptops are online with WPA-PSK protection:) thanks allot!!!!

Sometimes if i open a new window the default page www.poker.ie doesn't load. If I refresh, it will, is this a problem with poker.ie or with my connection do you think? Also, I have emule and it doesn't seem to be involved in much activity, it's online and all but isn't as active as it has been, maybe its just the files I'm gettin? But it's not uploading either, it has been both up and downloading, just the odd time. Ok its uploading now, it wasn't a few mins ago. Is this anything to worry about?

Well I managed to buy, set up, connect and secure my wireless in one thread! whooo!

EDIT:
Just noticed, it's the second time it has happened, if we get a phone call, when the phone is hung up, the net connection seems to disconnect for a minute and then it is ok. I have the line filtered to I don't know what's going on?..

dub45

cormie wrote:

Ok cool, both laptops are online with WPA-PSK protection:) thanks allot!!!!

Sometimes if i open a new window the default page www.poker.ie doesn't load. If I refresh, it will, is this a problem with poker.ie or with my connection do you think? Also, I have emule and it doesn't seem to be involved in much activity, it's online and all but isn't as active as it has been, maybe its just the files I'm gettin? But it's not uploading either, it has been both up and downloading, just the odd time. Ok its uploading now, it wasn't a few mins ago. Is this anything to worry about?

Well I managed to buy, set up, connect and secure my wireless in one thread! whooo!

EDIT:
Just noticed, it's the second time it has happened, if we get a phone call, when the phone is hung up, the net connection seems to disconnect for a minute and then it is ok. I have the line filtered to I don't know what's going on?..

The rest provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act preclude me from even reading any more of your posts for at least 3 months never mind even attempting to answer any more questions. Please try and enjoy your laptop for a little while without typing any more questions........play games , surf the world etc etc .just for a little while

cormie

ok, take some time out... but think how I feel, I've been deprived of sleep and anticipating each reply haha.

Well I might try get an early night tonight, haven't been to bed before 3 in a looong time!

Thanks for your help, but don't forget me! i'll probably be back for more;) haha.

Oh, the phone beside my computer that makes it disconnect doesn't actually have a filter so I'll have to check it with a filter. Although it says there is static on the calls without filter, but there isn't.

Good night!