I want a true home Network

[Greekguys]

OK GEEKS, I want to network my PC's with my printer & Scanner. I have 2 PC's (gateway & homegrown) and an (IBM)laptop. I use a Cable ISP. Current setup is a single cable modem that routes to a LINKSYS 1X4 router. I run a line to my main PC, another to my laptop and one more to the other PC. I do not want all of the wiring issues that come with this and now I plan on moving the 2nd PC to another location in the house which menas even more wiring...Enough is enough.

As I see it I have two options.

1. Buy a 2nd cable modem then have the cable installer run cable to the new location for the hook up.

2. Install a wireless system.

Option 1 is by far cheaper, but it is still somewhat limiting. If I decide to add another PC or change the location I would have to go thru this process again.

Option 2 is more flexible, costs more and I'm not sure of the best way to achieve bliss.

Can someone explain to me the various wireless options and the benefits of each.

For example: I was looking a LINKSYS wireless G BroadBand router $120, then 2 wireless G PCI adapters and 1 wireless G notebook Adapter for another $200.

That's $300+ for a system and I don't even know if it's that good.

Thanks...Looking to get a real NETWORKING system at home.

[j_sanborn]

Why don't you compromise with the following:
Main PC - Physical connection to Router
2nd PC - Wireless NIC
Laptop - Wireless NIC
Wireless Access Point - Connected to router

The wireless NIC's can be purchased for about $35-45, and the WAP could be down-graded to a D-Link 11 or 22 Mbps for about $65-75.
Check out pricewatch.com and tigerdirect.com.

I have two laptops at home connected via wireless PCMCIA cards and a WAP. My other 3 computers are connected by cables.
All of that only cost $120.00.

Wireless is great answer for mobile PC's like laptops and Palms for inside the home.

[chewychewy]

if you use a router to connect two pc to the same internet account. I am using RR cable modem. If I was having bot hdownloading at the same time will I get have bandwidth devoted to one PC and the other half the the other PC? And if that is the case if only one is downloading at the present time will the downloading PC take all the bandwidth from the PC not using it?

[bassman]

Hey Greekguys,
The wireless setup is real nice. I am using a Linksys 2.4 Gig Wireless access point, cat5 connection to WAP on main machine, wireless PCI card to kids desktop, wireless PCMCIA card on laptop. I am on a 384Kb+ DSL connection. With my laptop being the weakest link, it maintains a network connection of 11Mgb, far exceeding the DSL supply.
I have been online with all three computers, downloading a large file on main, looking at pics on laptop, and kids exploring on theirs. I noticed a little slowdown on this:rolleyes:
I have also walked accross the street to a neighbors house to show them something on my laptop and maintained a connection.
This stuff is rated at 300 feet indoors and 1000 feet outdoors (unobstructed).
I am very happy with my setup.;) :cool:
As pointed out, with the proper search, you can find this setup much cheaper then $300. That is what I paid for mine, but that was right at the time the "G" 5Gig line came out. The 2.5 will be less now.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.