Unashamedly lame and basic tech question

LFG · 09-22-2008, 01:47 PM

This many years after I switched from a Mac Lisa to a Mac to Win 3.1 to 95 to ME to XP, I've still never set up a wireless network.

My lame and basic question is this:

Is there something in XP I just enable to make it broadcast to my laptop so I can get wifi in my new condo, or do I need to buy a wireless router or something?

Please recommend the exact piece of equipment I need to buy, a link to the egghead site or whatever would be appreciated so I can complete the transaction without having to do any research on my own.

Also, please provide tips so that nobody in my building will be able to access the Internet for free through my connection, as my son is presently doing through the connection of some dude named "Big Earl" who neither of us know.

Thank you

Pinski · 09-22-2008, 01:58 PM

You need a wireless router.

Linksys.com - Products/Wireless/Basic Networking/Broadband Routers/Wireless-G (802.11g)/WRT54GL

There are simple to follow instructions which include how to enable a password on the wireless and to enable encryption. It is really easy to do if you read the instructions.

Kahna · 09-22-2008, 02:02 PM

Are you just trying to get wireless internet installed in your place? All you'd need to do is have the cable company hookup the service and provide the modem. Slap in a Linksys Wireless N/G (whichever works best with your mobile device's WiFi capability, would deff recommend N being in a condo with all the possible interference) router and secure it with WPA2 encryption so only you and your son would have the pass key, and if you're even more paranoid you can set the router to only hand out a certain number of IP addresses with week long leases to prevent anyone else from using the connection even if they do crack the pass key.

If that is what you're trying to accomplish then I'll be glad to help out LFG, I used to install wireless internet networks back when I worked for Time Warner. I'm on my lunch break atm and can post more later if one of the other nerds here doesn't beat me to it.

LFG · 09-22-2008, 02:11 PM

Thanks a ton peeples - you have provided enough info for me to proceed.

Thanks again!

Anap KaSplat · 09-22-2008, 02:54 PM

Linksys WRT610N > WRT54GL

CoLDMTL · 09-22-2008, 04:39 PM

And for Brian's sake use the CD 'first' like the instructions say.

Kampfer · 09-22-2008, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anap KaSplat

Linksys WRT610N > WRT54GL

WRT54G ftw

I still like the old school plain 54g 3rd party firmware of course

Pinski · 09-22-2008, 06:52 PM

802.11N isn't very useful for 99% of people.

Thelounge · 09-22-2008, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pinski

802.11N isn't very useful for 99% of people.

QFE, got into an argument with an indian guy @ work (thought they were good @ tech shit, hahaha @ MS), anyways, he said N was much better than G, I Said yea, if you want your neighbors to have your connection, as you prolly aren't smart enough to turn on the WEP...

Only get N if you are into the newest shit, and your house is huge... Otherwise I have used G just fine in multiple two story houses that I have lived in, a 3k sq footer in NM, a townhouse in MA, and now an apt in a large 2 story four family farm house, thanks to the neighbors upstairs. Also, I love my linksys.

Anap KaSplat · 09-23-2008, 02:04 AM

Streaming dvds over G is painful sometimes, np at all with N.

... and who uses WEP anymore?