Simplify your laptop buying
Networking & wireless: new to networking, what will I need for each computer?
First Hand Experience...
by alawaiblowfish - 3/10/06 4:46 AM In reply to: thanks by aknight53Sorry this message is a week late, but i only read it a few minutes ago.
The desktop here at my place has been running off of a USB 802.11b adapter for almost 3 years and works just fine. Im not sure if it is necessarily faster if you use a PCI wifi adapter. My laptop is somewhat new and has a 802.11g card and downloads ,on average, about 100 kbits/second faster than the desktop does. Im pretty sure it's components make is pokier (perhaps the slower USB, too...I never thought of that), but I figure it's safe to say that you won't loose much speed. I've always found that the desktop always seemed to hum along at DSL speeds even after I got roadrunner. Since you seem to be running an older desktop as well, im assuming you'll achieve similar results.
A note to the wise, OS versions before XP Service Pack 1 don't have any built in microsoft wifi drivers, so be sure to install the adapter driver(s) included in the packaging before attempting to plug in the adapter into the USB port...it will save you a lot of trouble...trust me.
Wireless Networking
by jprobs - 3/10/06 8:20 AM In reply to: First Hand Experience... by alawaiblowfishFirst off, to the original poster, your laptop's wireless will only connect to a wireless ROUTER, not to another wireless computer. You will need a router plugged into your DSL modem. Wireless routers usually have 4 wired ports on them so you can be wired or wireless. No need to go wireless with your desktop unless you want to move it to some other location.
As for speed, WiFi is only slower from computer to computer connections. If you are moving files from a wired desktop to a wireless laptop you will notice it being slower. Wired networks run at 100Mbps and wirelessG at 54Mbps and wirelessB at 11Mbps.
These speeds will not be a factor as far as internet speed.
There are many websites on the internet that explain simple home networking.
Don't connect main computer wirelessly!
by VidPro - 3/10/06 4:04 PM In reply to: thanks by aknight53Your desktop computer is wired to your DSL modem now, which means that it is in the same general area, so you can keep the wired connection with the router between the computer and DSL modem.
The reason you really should remain wired with this computer is that you can have major problems if you try to administer a router over a wireless connection, and no matter what, the wired connection will always be faster and more consistent, whereas the wireless connection will sometimes disconnect, and you'll have to log on to your network again.
As for the laptop, I would definitely get a ''g'' adapter even though it already has a "b" adapter, as you will notice the speed difference. I'm writing this from a laptop that can connect to either a ''g'' or ''a'' format wireless router, and I find the freedom to surf the net or check e-mail from not only anywhere in the house, but from the patio or even the neighbor's house very convenient. One big warning though, make sure you use whatever means you can to block out unwanted visitors by using passwords and MAC address filtering. (MAC address is the unique code your ethernet or wireless adapter is identified with, whether built in or as a PCI or USB adapter.)
The speed difference between ''b'' and ''g'' is about 5 to 1, so it is very noticable.
Don't bother spending your money!
by ice82 - 3/10/06 8:24 AM In reply to: great info starting to get it, what about desktop? by aknight53I don't know where you're going to be placing your router, but it'll save you the hassle of purchasing and installing the wifi adaptor by just connecting the router to your desktop, like you have your DSL modem and desktop connected now. And if you're going to transfer large amount of data between the two systems, you should think about getting a 802.11g wifi usb adaptor or pc card. Like the moterator mentioned above, it's SLOOOOWWWW....
Even connected at 54Mbps with the g, it's so much faster with the laptop physically connected to the router since it connects at 100Mbps.
Hope this helps.
It Depends on the Wireless Router
by EscapePod - 3/10/06 9:13 AM In reply to: Don't bother spending your money! by ice82.... and whether he transfers lots of data between PCs. My Netgear Wireless router, operating at 108 Mbps, transfers data at speeds every bit as fast as the desktop's ethernet PCI adaptor. And one of my remote PCs has the 108 Mbps USB NIC, and still data tranfers are at full network speed. The only way to go faster is with gigabit adaptors.
Reply to - Laptop 802.11b and wireless g router- aknight53
by comp.wiz - 3/10/06 10:18 AM In reply to: new to networking, what will I need for each computer? by aknight53Dear aknight53,
The wireless g router should be compatible with youre wireless 802.11b laptop since it is in wireless terms you can get g, b, a routers. g are for home use and have medium security and are have backward compatibility so it is compatible with a and b wireless networks.. The only problem is, that if you have got a modem with a USB port with the wireless router only having ethernet or LAN ports then you have got a problem since it is impossible to find a USB converter to LAN or ethernet! NO! you do not have to buy a wireless card or adaptor since your laptop is allready wirless!
Have a nice day!
Two issues!
by andrewrm - 3/10/06 10:37 AM In reply to: new to networking, what will I need for each computer? by aknight53First dump that 80211b router yesterday! I upgraded to the g standard and all my droped network connection issues were lost.
Second a lot depends on the native speed of your DSL line. I have noticed that using the cnet bandwidth meter I lose aobut 50% of my speed. SInce I have a 6 meg cable line from Comcast the loss in speed is not an issue as i still can stream video and just about anything else the net depends on. My printer is hard wired to my router and works just fine.
Wireless is fantastic
by konwiddak - 3/10/06 12:16 PM In reply to: new to networking, what will I need for each computer? by aknight53Wireless is great. Some people complain that file transfer is slow but this is only when they transfer large files. Frankly if you are transfering files over 10 meg regularly then wireless is not the way to go. For internet, transferring documents, printing and playing lan games it is easily fast enough.
Also some people complain that the range is low. However they fail to think that even if it doesnt reach the far corner of your house its a darn site better than having to use your computer in one place because of a restrictive cable. Also just the addition of a coupple of high gain aerials should solve every problem with range.
Finally at the moment wireless is cheap. It was cheaper for me to have wireless at home than lay cables around the house and 99% of people wont tell the difference.
The only problem with wireless however is sometimes it just will not work. It has no reason to not work it just wont and this can be so frustrating. However problems like this can occur on cabled connections and with introduction of service pack 2 computers are getting much better at it.
Wireless Always works for me......
by Kingair315 - 3/11/06 9:47 AM In reply to: Wireless is fantastic by konwiddakMy Wireless Airlink Router is directly connected to my Desktop. I feel it is important to get matching router and card, that they work better together.
My Dell Laptop has a NEW Airlink G card 108mhz and consistently downloads large files FASTER to the laptop than to my old Desktop. Downloading 600-700 meg files from FSGenesis.net for the Flight Simulator.
First I download all files to C:\download folder, as C: drive is my fastest drive. Then transfer them to, a 300gig external USB Drive plugged into the Laptop, for all the storage that I need.
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