Going wireless

[Jase]

I am thinking of moving my PC into the conservatory where there is no telephone point, so instead of having another telephone socket fitted I was thinking of using my wrieless router. My current set up is as follows:

 

I have a TalkTalk Smartax modem which is connected to the telephone wall socket. The modem is connected to a Linksys WRT54GS router via ethernet. The router is connected to the PC via ethernet. My son uses the routers signal for his XBox 360 and laptop. Can someone tell me how I can leave the modem & router in their current location and have a wireless connection in the conservatory. I am not sure if my PC is set up for wireless i.e. if it has wireless card or not.

 

Any advice appreciated.

[Tony D]

The wireless signal is already available from your Linksys. As WV mentioned, you need a wireless adapter on your PC. It can be a USB antenna type or PCI card. The USB antenna type would allow you to reposition the wireless receiver if need be.

 

How far from the router will the computer be? Are there any metal objects between the router and where you plan to install the PC - such as air ducts, applicances, etc, as they some times cause interference problems.

[Jase]

The PC will be about 30 feet away. The router will be in the sitting room and the PC in the conservatory with the kitchen in between.

[Guest Wolfeymole]

If you want to be neat and tidy you could use something like this Jase.

 

Netgear 802.11g Wireless Adapter (USB) : Computers, Hardware & Software from Overstock.com

[Tony D]

That Netgear adapter would work. I think it even comes with a USB extension so that you can reposition it.

 

You mentioned that the kitchen is between the PC and the conservatory. Major appliance may cause a problem as they degrade the wireless signal. That's when you may need to reposition the router and/or the PC to get a good quality signal.

[windowsvista]

I think this is what you have to do:

Get a wireless penstick for your computer.

Currys - Shop for Wireless Network Cards - Belkin F5D7050UK Wireless 54G USB Networking Adapter=

Then get yourself a wirelesss router.

Currys - Shop for Wireless Routers - Belkin G+MIMO Modem Router & Notebook Wireless Networking Bundle

Then you need to check with your ISP that that is ok.

Your son might need to reconfigure his xbox.

[Tony D]

In post #1 Jase said that she has a Linksys WRT54GS - which is a wireless router. So that's taken care of.

 

The Belkin wireless adapter would work as would the Netgear adapter noted in post #4. If you get a USB adapter, make sure it comes with an extension cable so that the adapter can be repositioned if necessary. If you find one that you like and it doesn't come with a cable, you can purchase one separately.

 

No need to check with the ISP. Internet access is already in place.

Edited May 28, 2008 by Tony D

[windowsvista]

Thats good then.

[Seth]

These work amazingly well for weak signals:

 

D-Link DWL-M60AT 2.4GHz Directional Indoor Antenna

[Seth]

A couple comments on the directional antenna:

 

Can be used on the router end, but any computer that connects wireless would have to be in the same general direction as the antenna points.

 

Can be used on the computer end pointing to the router, but you can't use a USB wireless for this, as the antenna is built in. You would have to use a pci wireless card in which you can unscrew the antenna, and screw in the directional one. The pci wireless cards look like this:

 

TRENDnet TEW-423PI PCI Wireless Adapter - 54Mbps, 802.11g in Canada at TigerDirect.ca