Wireless Home Netowork.

[SportSavant]

I just bought this laptop the next thing I would like to do is to create a home network...

I already have a CABLE connection & a desktop Computer....

What is the CHEAPEST/BEST way for me to be able to set up a system where I can walk around the house with my laptop...

I have been told I can use one of the ports on the side of the system, or the Ethernet adapter? I have been told it requires a special ethernet adapter but am not sure if that sytem already has one...

Of course I am aware I need to buy a wireless Router..., Anyone have any advice or Clue as to how to do this the best way possible? Any & all advice appreciated...

 

[TheGeneral+]

Some previous info

 

[katoosh]

I recently went from one desktop computer hooked up to a cable modem, to adding 2 wireless connected computers...one laptop and one desktop.

I can't really say this is the cheapest nor the best way to go, but for me, it works.

My service provider is Road Runner. The basic charge here in Hawaii for internet is $45.00 a month. When I wanted to add the other 2 computers, I called and asked about the different rates and going wireless was the cheapest(not necessarily the best) way to go.

I just paid 80 bucks for installation and I don't have to pay anything more a month to be connected wireless.

My daughters laptop didn't need an adapter because she had a wireless card in her laptop. My desktop has a Netgear Wireless Adapter that's connected to a port in the back of the puter. He switched out the Toshiba modem and replaced it with a Netgear modem to accommodate the wireless.

The only thing I don't like about the wireless connection is that Road Runner has the Netgear products and if you have problems with it, you must deal with Netgear tech support and believe you me, they suck. I think they offshore the tech support cause I could not understand the guy. He had a very heavy Indian accent. And he could not understand what I was trying to tell him. Very frustrating.

I had to call support because I could not receive the signal on my desktop.After the nightmare experience with Netgear, to no avail, I went thru the Hawaii based tech support and they couldn't get it working, so they sent out a technican and all he did was change the channel. (Someone nearby had a different wireless system that was interfering with my signal).

Hopefully I won't have to deal with Netgears tech department again, but aside of that, the system works great. All three puters can run at the same time and I believe the technican said I could list up to 25 different computers on this system.(there's a way to list the computers to gain access to your signal...others not listed will be blocked out).

Good luck with your choice,
katoosh

 

[Woody0]

SS, as far as I know you can connect cable modem to wireless router then ethernet cable to desktop.

You then need wireless in your laptop. Plugins for the USB port are cheap and plentiful.