AOL wireless broadband

[Misty77]

I'm usually pretty techy, but for some reason I can't get it into my head how wireless broadband works. Am I right in thinking I just plug my wireless router into the phone socket and my computer picks up the signal and connects me to the internet ? My comp is just over 2 years old and runs on XP I have checked the ethernet and apprently I do have one installed. Sounds far too simple...

[vehelpfulguy]

You are right up to a point, but you need a wireless device (a wireless adapter) in the PC/Laptop as well so it can "talk" to the wireles router.

Most laptops (recent ones anyway) come with the wireless adapter already installed.

But if you have a desktop PC it is likely that is HAS NOT got a wireless adapter in it.

For a laptop or PC you can buy wireless adapters that plug in the USB port, like this:

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/product/seo/3 69188

Or for a PC you can buy a wireless adapter that goes inside the case, like this:

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/store/pcw_pag e.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@0950642064.1207337376@@ @@&BV_EngineID=ccdhadedkedejemcflgceggdhhmdgmi .0&page=Product&fm=13&sm=1&tm=3&sku=886359&cat egory_oid=

[Ethel]

If your desktop is wireless there will be a little aerial sticking out the back. In laptops the aerial is built into the back of the screen.

Think of it as working the same way as television. The internet signal is broadcast from the wireless router in the same way as a tv transmitter, and picked up by your pc like the television aerial receives the tv signal.

[Misty77]

Thanks for your answers, that's really helpful. My PC is definitely not wireless, so I've ordered a wireless adapter. When you speak to the internet companies they make it sound so straightforward - plug it in and you're away - I didn't realise about the wirelessadapter at all.

[markysngc]

there is normally no reason to use wireless on a desktop computer.... it can be useful on laptops as you may want to use it in any room in the house but i doubt you move your desktop computer around the house very often so why use wireless,

assuming you can get the router near the computer (i.e. you have a phone point near it) Much simpler and cheaper to simply connect the router to the computer using a ethernet cable plugged into the existing ethernet port on the back of the computer

Just because you have a wireless enabled router doesn't mean to have to use it

[jacko50]

Aol phoned me and said they were sending me a wireless kit i told them i was happy as i was and did not have a laptop and was not going to buy one, they said don't worry just plug it in ,go and buy an adapter and bobs your uncle, my phone line is at least 35ft fron my pc so from what you have all said i am at a loss as to what to do. also i was told i did not the cable connection i am now using and i would have to pay bt a by the minute rate untill i changed to wirless , has anyone got any suggestions , i really do not want to phone india, i am not racist but feel we just do not understand each other.

[thundercrack]

your bestbet is to buy an extension telephone socket kit from ebay. run a phone cable from your master socket and fit a new socket next to your computer. will cost less than �20 and is by far the best option. do not buy a phone extension lead from the local pound shop, they are useless. most kit sellers on ebay will give full instructions how to install.

[markysngc]

hold in if your happy as you are don't change... they cannot force you to change.

However it sounds like you where on a old stlye pay as you go analog dial up conection (you had a modem that probbally made a horrible screatchy noise whenever you connected to the internet) in which case the chances are you will be much better off going over to ADSL (or cable as you may have put it)

As Thundercrack said for a small cost you can easily put a phone socket close to computer, but if you where on a analog connection you already will have

Wireless is not how you connect to the internet, it is how your computer connects to the little box that does connect to the internet, this little box (the router) only needs power and a phone line to connect to the internet, as long as you have both of these fairly close to the computer don't let wireless bother you as you already have everything you need

On a personal level not happy about how AOL are hard selling to people that don't know any better (no offence intended to question poster)

[markysngc]

opps should have closed that bold tag ;)

[jacko50]

thundercrack and markysngc, thanks for that , i am on broadband AOLvia ntl, i think it is now virgin i am using ethernet conection (cable) my phone line is as i said miles away from pc ,i do not want to try putting a new phone connector to it as i will have wires going along all my stairs an corridor.i really want to stay as i am, i will phone them and cancel everything and sign up with another isp if i get no satisfaction thanks for your help. i hope you also get your pc sorted misty i did not want to highjack your thread.

[Ethel]

Have you got a bt phone line? NTL / Virgin usually use cable technology which dispenses with the BT line altogether.

If you haven't got a bt line (regardless of who you pay your bill to) you may have to pay connection charges and stay with BT for 12 months before moving elsewhere, such as TalkTalk for example.

[markysngc]

if you are currently on Virgin media (ex NTL) for you internet connection then you must be paying them for it (possibly as part of a TV/phone/broadband package) and also you must currently have a cable modem close to your computer if it is connected by ethernet. if this is the case I would suggest sticking with virgin, If you are able to get cable I would always go for that over ADSL as it is a lot faster and more stable

I can't see what AOL have to do with your setup at all unless you are paying them and they are just reselling the cable service from virgin in which case I'd ditch AOL and go direct to virgin

I am on the virgin media 20mb cable broadband and unlike ADSL which will hardly ever get close to the speeds they offer my connection is normally much faster than 20mb, I often see downloads of 2500+kbs which would equate to a 25mb connection

While I am able to get cable I would never consider going over to ADSL.

[jacko50]

the bloke who fitted my broadband told me that aol had given ntl x amount of money to use there cables, so i pay aol for broadband via a ntl cable. i have a bt line but pay aol for my calls and bt for line rental.