Wireless connection

[Tefler]

I'm thinking of getting a Linksys router so that both PC and laptop can connect to the Web at the same time. The laptop is 'wireless enabled'. What does the PC need, apart from the router, to work on such a system?

[theprof]

I bought a Belkin wireless router kit complete with USB key a few months ago and came across this problem. In my case, the USB key was to be connected to a second desktop PC in another room.

The only thing I found I needed was a Network Interface Card in the first computer in the same room as the router.
The PC concerned was a few years old and did not have a NIC fitted - most modern PC's already have them.

The yellow ethernet cable from the router was connected to the NIC and everything was up and running in no time. You can of course replace the ethernet cable with one of these keys for the entire system to be "wireless".

The NIC cost around �20 but there are cheaper ones around.

Before you go out and buy the card, check that one is not already fitted in the PC.

You should not need anything else.

[CheekyChops]

I used a USB dongle that came in the box with the router. My laptop was already wireless enabled so no problem there, for my desktop I just plugged the dongle into a spare USB port and it works fine.

[Ethel]

I have a linksys and am really impressed with both the wifi range and the ease of setting the security for my connection.

You can buy a pci card that goes into a spare slot in your pc, making that wifi enabled like your laptop - or buy a dongle.

Just make sure that the dongle or pci card are compatible with the router - there should be no problem whatsoever.

[theprof]

I forgot to add that when I bought the router kit, the two USB sockets on the first PC were both in use.

As the Belkin router had to be set up using the ethernet cable first and I had no choice but to buy the card, I kept this connection method.

Once it was working, I could have replaced the ethernet cable with a dongle connected to a USB hub, but obviously this second dongle and hub would have been a needless additional expenditure. Besides, the ethernet cable is hidden from sight.

[Tefler]

Thanks for the answers - so far! How do I find out if my PC is wireless enabled? Is the 'dongle thing' a wireless network card? If not, might I need one?

[theprof]

If the PC is wireless enabled it will have a small aerial (rubber duck) at the back of the PC.

See also the questions from Tadpole_30 and zacsmaster and the replies that have been posted since your question for further information.

The dongle is not the same as the Network Interface Card (The Network Interface card is also known as a Wireless Network Card). This is a card similar in size to an internal modem card and like a modem card, it fits into a spare PCI slot inside your computer.

The dongle (also known as a USB Key) is similar in shape to a USB flash drive storage device. If you Google for USB flash drive storage device, you will get the general idea of the shape. These dongles are fairly large when designed for use with PC's and sometimes sit on a stand on top of the PC. The types used in laptops are altogether smaller and less obtrusive.

If you have an up to date copy of an Argos catalogue, you can see pictures of these dongles. Alternatively, look on Argos online or the PC World website.

[Tefler]

Prof, thanks for that reply, too. It's great when somebody who obviously knows about these things understands those of us who don't! Your reply has been greatly illuminating. Now, I just need to work out how to insert a Network Interface Card.....