Wireless Laptop

[HappyFace]

I'm getting a wireless laptop after Christmas.Some of the spec reads - LAN Wireless Intel Mini PCI 802.11bg (54Mbps). I also have NTL Broadband through a set top box. Can you please tell me what I need to allow me to use the Internet wirelessly(?) I can then put it on my Christmas list!! Thanks

[TEAK36]

As your laptop already has 802.11bg, all you need now is a wireless Broadband router.I have NTL Broadband at home and have 3 laptops connected wirelessly.When I first decided to go wireless I found it all a bit confusing due to the amount of wireless equipment available.In the end I went on the NTL website and they recommend a wireless kit by Actiontec,which I purchased for �99 and which works fine, but it does come with some bits that were not need because of the built in 802.11bg.If I knew then what I know now, I would have bought a much cheaper router.Linksys seems to be a really popular manufacturer of wireless routers, and you can buy them for half the price I paid for mine.Just make sure that whatever router you go for, you set the connection up securely otherwise your neighbours could share your Broadband.

[Kerplunk]

Go for a D-Link or Linksys wireless router.

[fo3nix]

Belkin, Netgeat, Linksys, D-Link; all good brands.

Ideally also get the stuff from some online supplier, you'll probably find its a bit cheaper than from Dixons or somewhere like that.

[HappyFace]

Thanks F03nix, kerplunk and Teak for your replies. Will I also need something for the older PC?

[fo3nix]

yes you will.

but, if you currently have your broadband modem by your old pc, then what you need is a wireless router to let your laptop use the connection wirelessly. thus you can keep the router near the old PC too, and you'll only need a ethernet cable to connect from the router to the PC.

look for a cat5e cable, something like this:

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp?WebProductID=15101

basically an RJ-45 cable, cat5e ideally. if you want the computer to be wireless too, you'll need a wireless interface card for it; but why pay for that when you can make do with a cheap cable?

[HappyFace]

Right you are gonna have to bear with me here folks....... I am pretty computer illiterate and am bamboozled by the different types on offer so I have a little mission for you! I have an NTL box of some sort attached to the wall behind my TV in the living room. I also have a set top box under my TV in the living room. The oldish PC will be in a bedroom upstairs. My laptop will be all over the house depending on my mood. I dont want to have to connect the current modem to the upstairs PC as I would have a trailing wire. How would it all be set up and what would I need, without having to drill holes and leave trailing wires. I have a budget of �100 (too ambitious maybe?). I know I have asked this before but as I said I'm a dunce. Can you tell me exactly what I need, model numbers and approximate prices. What a cheek I have!! Thanks

[fo3nix]

ok, so you have a broadband modem already, from NTL? If so, check to see if it has an ethernet cable coming from it (it probably will; it looks like a regular phone line connection, maybe the cable is a bit thicker).

if all that is ok, you just need a wireless router, and a wireless adapter for the PC

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp?WebProductID=172378

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp?WebProductID=172384

the first is your router, which you connect your broadband NTL modem to. the latter is a little dongle thingy that you stick in the back of the PC so it can get the internet connection (your laptop you're about to buy already has one of these things inside it, if your original question is correct).

that's all you should need!

[HappyFace]

Fo3nix, what a splendid chap/chapess you are. I couldn't have asked for any more. When are you able to come round and fit it all for me?

[fo3nix]

chap ;)