wireless

[pcmoron]

Hi all.

1.
i just bought a new laptop, and it has a wireless card in it. Since ive never used wireless, i see it keep connecting to some network in my area, some hotspots etc... what should i do to connect to these networks, since when i click connect, it says 'connecting' and then nothing happens...i should mention that i did nothin to alter the tcp'ip settings in my wireless adapter properties , or anything else...


2.
since i have adsl connection, and my laptop is currently connected to it via lan router, so i have an ethernet cable stuck in the ass of my laptop, what should i do to take an advantege of my wireless adapter in my laptop, and be able to use my adsl connection without a cable? do i need a wireless router connected to the regular one, or what...? please explain if u can...


many, many thanks!:rolleyes:

[HomeSA]

Welcome to PCGuide.

1)
The wireless networks you see probably belong to your neighbors. They are probably secured and that's why you can't connect to them. Even if they were unsecured, it's against the law to connect to an unsecured wireless network without permission.

2)
To use wireless at home, you either need to replace your wired router with a wireless one, or add a wireless access point to the existing wired router. Do a little googling on wireless home networks.

[Whyzman]

I'm partial to Linksys. Here's their learning center link:

http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satellite?c=L_Content_C1&childpagename=US%2FLayout&cid=1114037291160&pagename=Linksys%2FCommon%2FVisitorWrapper&lid=9116077881H13

The benefits of a router are that it provides you with a hardware firewall as an added security feature.

[pcmoron]

@ HomeSa
Thanks for the welcome :). the networks i see r not secured, and i know that its against the law, but i just wanna know y cant i connect to them, what must i setup on my laptop to be able to connect to some (one of them is a local hotspot), as for the two solutions u offered, which one is cheaper? considering i already have a vired router

@Whyzman
thanks for the tutorial!

[Whyzman]

If you've a legitimate "local hotspot" overlapping into your area I would suggest asking them. You may need a password.

As far as the others, we are a legitimate help forum and cannot provide information that would help you to do something illegal...they have some legal terms for that. One of them is "aiding and abetting" (http://www.lectlaw.com/def/a033.htm) which would put us in a very precarious position... :eek:

[HomeSA]

@ HomeSa
as for the two solutions u offered, which one is cheaper? considering i already have a vired router


Not an easy question to answer since prices vary with manufacturers and models, but generally the cheaper solution would be replacing the wired router with a wireless one. Wireless access points provide more functionality that just being access points, which you don't need for your needs.

Below links to threads for more info.

http://www.pcguide.com/vb/showthread.php?t=54768

http://www.pcguide.com/vb/showthread.php?t=46371&highlight=wired

http://www.pcguide.com/vb/showthread.php?t=43735&highlight=wired

http://www.pcguide.com/vb/showthread.php?t=40433&highlight=wired

[pcmoron]

thanks for the tread links..

i came upon another solution. i read that i could put a PCI wireless card into my desktop pc, and then connect my laptop via wireless to that pc and use its internet access.

there is also somethin mentioning bridge connections, ad hoc mode and other stuff which i dont understand, so does anyone here know how to set this up?

thanks!

[HomeSA]

I believe you are correct, but I don't know enough about it to guide you. Maybe someone else can chime in, or you can google.

Good luck

[Fruss Tray Ted]

Why bother to buy a wireless access card and add it to your desktop just to do what a wireless router would do and much better and easier? Besides, the way you suggest would make the need of the desktop pc to be powered up anytime you want to connect to the www with the laptop.

You may save a few bucks your way but you'll pay for it in the long run in electricity and lack of convenience. Anmd the general PIA factor just to set it up. A router is straightforward and simple.

[Whyzman]

I'm with Fruss, the wireless router would sure make sense. I've always looked at a laptop's existence with the concept of mobility. Plus, as also pointed out, the wireless router would be self-sustaining, i.e., no need to turn the desktop on to feed you signal...

I've a Linksys WRT54G which supports 4 LAN cables plus the whole range of wireless possibilities...

[pcmoron]

thanks for the help guys,

the reason i would opt for the wireless pc card solution is mainly the difference in the price, a wireless router with adsl here costs about 150USD, and a pci card about 30USD

but i guess ill thinks about it some more..

[Fruss Tray Ted]

Where the $%^& are you for it to be THAT expensive? :eek:

Look up what you can get a router WITHOUT modem for. Here in the US. I can get rebuilts for around $25, new ones for around $35-$70 A 'wiireless' card is even less, about $15.