Need answers for home wifi.

[CRMH Eagle]

Hey buddies. It's been awhile since I've been on the forum due to recovering from the car accident. I'm doing better and getting stronger.

The internet connection at home comes into room via a modem that is also a wireless router. In another room is where the desktop will be moved to.

What device do I need to connect to the desktop so it will wirelessly connect to the modem so I can use the internet? A wireless extender, wireless brige, or something eles?

I've spent enough time trying to figure this out. I need help. Tks.

 

[03HiYoSilver]

...into room via a modem that is also a wireless router.

In another room is where the desktop will be moved to.

What device do I need to connect to the desktop so it will wirelessly connect to the modem so I can use the internet? A wireless extender, wireless brige, or something eles?

...

CRMH,

Hope you recover well.

It would help to know what Type and Model of Desktop Computer you have... it may already have some Wireless (Receiver) potetial already in place.

 

[A41Billy]

Hey buddies. It's been awhile since I've been on the forum due to recovering from the car accident. I'm doing better and getting stronger.

The internet connection at home comes into room via a modem that is also a wireless router. In another room is where the desktop will be moved to.

What device do I need to connect to the desktop so it will wirelessly connect to the modem so I can use the internet? A wireless extender, wireless brige, or something eles?

I've spent enough time trying to figure this out. I need help. Tks.

You need a wireless adapter. Either a PCI or more easily installed, a USB wireless N adapter $15-$20.

 

[Dennis in NH]

Yup, what those folks said -- just ensure that you get one that is known working for your Operating system (maybe you're using Windows 7 so there should be plenty). You can get better prices if you shop online (you'll just have to wait for shipping, etc.) or goto Best Buy and talk to one of the less attractive salespeople (i.e., someone who actually knows what they're talking about -- I know stereotyping, kidding!).

I'd personally go for USB (assuming you have a free USB port) unless you like cracking open the case and putting a PCI card in (assuming you have a free slot and know what you're doing or love to figure stuff out).

Hopefully, it will be plug and play.

Dennis

 

[Usul]

+1 on the USB wireless adapter. Here's one like you'd need:

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/Belkin+-+N300+Wireless-N+USB+Adapter/2089219.p?id=1218308705040&skuId=2089219

 

[Blind Squirrel]

I can not speak highly enough about my Netgear ethernet over power kit. https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833122233 I got mine at Best Buy, but you can also get them online. My wife's computer is just downstairs, but always suffered a crappy connection until I bought this and put it in. If you are talking about your main computer, I would recommend going this route. Super simple to install and rock-solid connection.

 

[bramfrank]

What you buy depends on what you have . . . . .

If you have an older desktop that doesn't support USB 2.0 and run Wireless 'N' then USB is not the way to go because it is slower than the wireless connection and, depending on how your router is set up, will drag down the speed of the wireless network for everyone. Likewise, if your router isn't wireless 'N', there's no point in buying a wireless 'N' adapter when you can buy a 'G' adapter for a few bucks.

Note that newer computers may not have the older long PCI jack if you decide to 'go internal' - PCI-X is the latest iteration and it uses a small connector that the older devices don't fit into. Check what type of connectors your old computer has before spending any money. Make sure that whatever you buy comes with drivers for the operating system running on your comupter.

Since you HAD a connection to the web from the old location, a third alternative is to use a wireless bridge - wireless G units seem to be available for about $20 - they provide an ethernet (network) connection to your WiFi connection using the same electrical connection and cable you did before - so it treats the WiFi like a wireless extension cord. Here's a link to a cheap unit on amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Alfa-AWAP608H-Long-Range-Wireless-G-Repeater/dp/B006QYRF48 - $50 will get you an 'N' variant from Cisco and others.

Another option is to get any router that supports 3rd party firmware from Sveasoft, Tomato and others - the 3rd party firmware lets you change the operating characteristics of the router so it can be used as a bridge (and a whole lot more).

Lastly, given that you are going to spend up to $50 for the project and depending on just how old your computer is, you might want to consider upgrading altogether - for about $300 you can probably find a new desktop with WiFi built in.

 

[stevec677]

The previous answers seem to be very knowledgeable. If that doesn't answer your questions, let me know. I will talk to my neighbor, his wireless network works great for me.

 

[BigPaz]

I can not speak highly enough about my Netgear ethernet over power kit. https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833122233 I got mine at Best Buy, but you can also get them online. My wife's computer is just downstairs, but always suffered a crappy connection until I bought this and put it in. If you are talking about your main computer, I would recommend going this route. Super simple to install and rock-solid connection.

i'ma have to get me one of these. all my laptops can see the wireless, but the sat TV can't. i'd have to buy a really expensive wireless access point just for the TV, or get the 200Mbps starter kit for $60...

 

[Dennis in NH]

The previous answers seem to be very knowledgeable. If that doesn't answer your questions, let me know. I will talk to my neighbor, his wireless network works great for me.

That's why I name one of my wireless networks "VirusNet" . Not to mention, to the OP, please remember to change the default SSID, default password, and configure at least some password required to join the network.

 

[A41Billy]

What you buy depends on what you have . . . . .

If you have an older desktop that doesn't support USB 2.0

..and if you are using a PC without USB 2.0 ports or better, you have more issues than wireless internet! Like your Pentium3 processor and 256MB of RAM.

Here is a link to a USB adapter for $8.

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833166052

..and one here for $10. up to 300Mbps

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833186012

 

[bramfrank]

USB 2.0 came out long after the P4 was released - and you can run XP just fine on a 10 year old machine.

Not everyone here buys new machines each year - I have 7 workstations in my home and while my daily driver is an i7, the kids are running netbooks (1.6 GHz Atoms running XP) and I have a couple of business machines that run XP on P4s at 2.5 GHz - they work fine, have 100 meg wired ethernet connections and are as up to date as an XP machine can be, but they have USB 1.0 onboard (though they also have USB 2.0 adapter cards as well).

Flip answers just dont cut it when dealing with technical questions that do not define the operating environment, which is why I tried to provide a cross section of information.

 

[FatNakedGuy]

another vote for ethernet over power solution! great stuff

read this about noise in the line though... in short, get a long ethernet cable and plug these devices in away from your tv/monitor/etc

https://www.amazon.com/review/RWK9CDDK92UNN/ref=cm_cr_pr_viewpnt#RWK9CDDK92UNN

 

[Blind Squirrel]

All I can say is that ethernet over power is the mutz nutz for me! :yahoo: