Advice setting up a home wireless network, please..
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,443
Likes: 5
From: Willamette Valley, Oregon
Advice setting up a home wireless network, please..
I have a desktop unit with XP, and a cable modem connected to it. I want to add a wireless router and a card to my shop unit, which is older and runs WIN98. The distance not too far, I think.
I am wondering if there is a simple way to do this?
How complicated is it to set up? I have been reading online articles and thesy go into detail about so many settings and numbers, it seems like there is a more to it than plug and play...
Can the unit by the modem still be "hard wired"?
Can the remote unit work with WIN98?
What brand equip. is reliable and easy to set up? Im looking for basic, not
hi-dollar.
I have a gift card to use at Radio Shack, do they sell anything acceptable?
What about all the set up stuff?
Thanks!
I am wondering if there is a simple way to do this?
How complicated is it to set up? I have been reading online articles and thesy go into detail about so many settings and numbers, it seems like there is a more to it than plug and play...
Can the unit by the modem still be "hard wired"?
Can the remote unit work with WIN98?
What brand equip. is reliable and easy to set up? Im looking for basic, not
hi-dollar.
I have a gift card to use at Radio Shack, do they sell anything acceptable?
What about all the set up stuff?
Thanks!
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 13,589
Likes: 2
From: NW burbs of chicago
pretty much all you need is a router that can do wireless (and wired) and a wireless network card for the remote pc..
the main pc will be wired to the router which will be wired to your cable modem.
I'd get a linksys router, it will come with a cd that will setup everything automatrically
the main pc will be wired to the router which will be wired to your cable modem.
I'd get a linksys router, it will come with a cd that will setup everything automatrically
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 6,473
Likes: 4
From: Lafayette, IN
If your XP desktop does not have an ethernet port built-in, you will also need a NIC card ($10-15) to hard-wire it to the router. Use Cat5e or Cat6 cable. It's always good to have at least one computer hard-wired to a wireless router.
I got a combo kit that came with both a wireless router and a notebook wireless card (you'll need a PCI wireless card for your Win98 PC), but the router is definitely a low-end model, and I wish it were better. However, I recently found out that there are hacks to turn up the power on my router, so I may mess around with that sometime soon. I think part of the problem is that it is a single-antenna unit, double is better.
Jason
I got a combo kit that came with both a wireless router and a notebook wireless card (you'll need a PCI wireless card for your Win98 PC), but the router is definitely a low-end model, and I wish it were better. However, I recently found out that there are hacks to turn up the power on my router, so I may mess around with that sometime soon. I think part of the problem is that it is a single-antenna unit, double is better.
Jason
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,413
Likes: 11
Using the above advice: A linsky wireless router. Wal-mart has this pretty cheap somewhere around $50. Also get you a pci wireless nic for your shop PC. Of course hardwire your PC running XP to the router. After installing the hardware go to creating a wireless network on your XP machine. It will let you create a disc for you to run on your 98 machine to get it up and running. If after running the disc your not connected yet running the linsky software will have the machines conneted.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 758
Likes: 0
From: Northern PA
It's funny you should ask about Radio Shack's routers. I just bought one of the ones they have on sale. I bought the low end Netgear, and it works great. It puts out a great signal to the whole house, was easy to set up, and it was only 39 bucks on sale. I've used network hardware from Linksys, Netgear, D-Link, and I've had good use out of all of them.
Now, I set this one up as a wireless access point on my wired network, but it works fine.
Connect the modem to the router at the WAN port, then connect the PC to one of the LAN ports on the router. I agree with the others; you want to have your main machine hard wired to the router, so that you can access the setup on the router and set your encryption and password for the network. Let the rest of the network access the router wirelessly. Read the directions, Google some stuff for tips and tricks, and have a good time.
It's a great way to learn. If you mess it up, just reset the router back to default settings, and start over. Let us know how you make out.
Now, I set this one up as a wireless access point on my wired network, but it works fine.
Connect the modem to the router at the WAN port, then connect the PC to one of the LAN ports on the router. I agree with the others; you want to have your main machine hard wired to the router, so that you can access the setup on the router and set your encryption and password for the network. Let the rest of the network access the router wirelessly. Read the directions, Google some stuff for tips and tricks, and have a good time.
It's a great way to learn. If you mess it up, just reset the router back to default settings, and start over. Let us know how you make out.
Last edited by AeroPA; Nov 11, 2007 at 06:44 PM.
Moderator
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 164,379
Likes: 82
From: MA
Originally Posted by jroehl
If your XP desktop does not have an ethernet port built-in, you will also need a NIC card ($10-15) to hard-wire it to the router. Use Cat5e or Cat6 cable. It's always good to have at least one computer hard-wired to a wireless router.
I got a combo kit that came with both a wireless router and a notebook wireless card (you'll need a PCI wireless card for your Win98 PC), but the router is definitely a low-end model, and I wish it were better. However, I recently found out that there are hacks to turn up the power on my router, so I may mess around with that sometime soon. I think part of the problem is that it is a single-antenna unit, double is better.
Jason
I got a combo kit that came with both a wireless router and a notebook wireless card (you'll need a PCI wireless card for your Win98 PC), but the router is definitely a low-end model, and I wish it were better. However, I recently found out that there are hacks to turn up the power on my router, so I may mess around with that sometime soon. I think part of the problem is that it is a single-antenna unit, double is better.
Jason
How far is the win 98 machine? It may be easier to use a 25ft ethernet cable and hard wire it to the router...
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 0
Likes: 24
You will need to make a "network setup file" for the Win98 computer on an Floppy disk for A drive.
In the XP help section you will see a "networking and the web ".
click that
then a
"home and small office networking" hyperlink
now click that and the rest is easy
In the XP help section you will see a "networking and the web ".
click that
then a
"home and small office networking" hyperlink
now click that and the rest is easy
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Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,443
Likes: 5
From: Willamette Valley, Oregon
What is a network setup file? Is there a step by step guide on the XP machine ??(networking and the web )
Originally Posted by Mil1ion
You will need to make a "network setup file" for the Win98 computer on an Floppy disk for A drive.
In the XP help section you will see a "networking and the web ".
click that
then a
"home and small office networking" hyperlink
now click that and the rest is easy
In the XP help section you will see a "networking and the web ".
click that
then a
"home and small office networking" hyperlink
now click that and the rest is easy
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Elder User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 758
Likes: 0
From: Northern PA
Packrat, use Google to find some very good and complete tutorials for what you need. Everyone here is very helpful, but I've also found that googling it myself helps me learn it better.
I googled for some settings for the router I was setting up, and I got page after page of complete step by step instructions.
I googled for some settings for the router I was setting up, and I got page after page of complete step by step instructions.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,562
Likes: 2
From: Southern MD
When I set up the pcs at my house on the 'wireless network' I used all Linksys stuff.
Cable modem to Linksys wireless (G) router via LAN (CAT5) cable.
CAT5 cable to ethernet connection on back of 'controller' pc (my wife's desktop pc).
http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satellite?c=L_Product_C2&childpagename=US%2FLayout &cid=1149562300349&pagename=Linksys%2FCommon%2FVis itorWrapper&lid=0034936001B02
The other pcs in the house have either a PCMCIA ("PC Card") wireless adapter (Win XP laptops) or a Linksys USB adapter (5 are Win XP and 1 runs Win 98SE).
http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satellite?c=L_Product_C2&childpagename=US%2FLayout &cid=1138744085400&pagename=Linksys%2FCommon%2FVis itorWrapper&lid=8540039789B16
http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satellite?c=L_Product_C2&childpagename=US%2FLayout &cid=1115416827517&pagename=Linksys%2FCommon%2FVis itorWrapper&lid=2751739789B16
I have one pc (my desktop pc) that has a 'bridge' connected through the ethernet (NIC) card using CAT5 cable, because my VPN to work does not work using a USB adapter. (Too slow).
http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satellite?c=L_Product_C2&childpagename=US%2FLayout &cid=1134692497433&pagename=Linksys%2FCommon%2FVis itorWrapper&lid=9743306014B02
If memory serves me, I didn't have to do anything 'special' other than put the 'installation CD' in and let the software configure the drivers.
Plug in the USB adapter on each machine (when prompted) and. . . Presto!!!! All pcs online!
Cable modem to Linksys wireless (G) router via LAN (CAT5) cable.
CAT5 cable to ethernet connection on back of 'controller' pc (my wife's desktop pc).
http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satellite?c=L_Product_C2&childpagename=US%2FLayout &cid=1149562300349&pagename=Linksys%2FCommon%2FVis itorWrapper&lid=0034936001B02
The other pcs in the house have either a PCMCIA ("PC Card") wireless adapter (Win XP laptops) or a Linksys USB adapter (5 are Win XP and 1 runs Win 98SE).
http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satellite?c=L_Product_C2&childpagename=US%2FLayout &cid=1138744085400&pagename=Linksys%2FCommon%2FVis itorWrapper&lid=8540039789B16
http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satellite?c=L_Product_C2&childpagename=US%2FLayout &cid=1115416827517&pagename=Linksys%2FCommon%2FVis itorWrapper&lid=2751739789B16
I have one pc (my desktop pc) that has a 'bridge' connected through the ethernet (NIC) card using CAT5 cable, because my VPN to work does not work using a USB adapter. (Too slow).
http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satellite?c=L_Product_C2&childpagename=US%2FLayout &cid=1134692497433&pagename=Linksys%2FCommon%2FVis itorWrapper&lid=9743306014B02
If memory serves me, I didn't have to do anything 'special' other than put the 'installation CD' in and let the software configure the drivers.
Plug in the USB adapter on each machine (when prompted) and. . . Presto!!!! All pcs online!
Last edited by 00BlueOvalRanger; Nov 12, 2007 at 12:54 PM.
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 0
Likes: 24
Originally Posted by packrat56
What is a network setup file? Is there a step by step guide on the XP machine ??(networking and the web )
Click: start.
click: Help and Support
Last edited by Mil1ion; Nov 12, 2007 at 03:16 PM.
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,443
Likes: 5
From: Willamette Valley, Oregon
Well, I just spent several late nights hanging out with Netgear tech support and I am very dissapointed...
I bought a wireless router and pci card for my two PCs, I used two machines running XP. After trying an install with the enclosed CD on the remote machine, it would not complete the install. 3 times I was instructed to go online and download various firmware/drivers and try them. Never worked. Netgear ended up telling me that this equipment will not work on these machines and I should return them to the store...
What a waste of time.... Its not like XP is an old, outdated OS... Seems like this should be a simple process... Yikes!
Some of you recommended Linksys products, any chance they might install without such a fuss?
I bought a wireless router and pci card for my two PCs, I used two machines running XP. After trying an install with the enclosed CD on the remote machine, it would not complete the install. 3 times I was instructed to go online and download various firmware/drivers and try them. Never worked. Netgear ended up telling me that this equipment will not work on these machines and I should return them to the store...
What a waste of time.... Its not like XP is an old, outdated OS... Seems like this should be a simple process... Yikes!
Some of you recommended Linksys products, any chance they might install without such a fuss?
Moderator
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 164,379
Likes: 82
From: MA
Originally Posted by packrat56
Netgear ended up telling me that this equipment will not work on these machines and I should return them to the store...
What a waste of time.... Its not like XP is an old, outdated OS... Seems like this should be a simple process... Yikes!
Some of you recommended Linksys products, any chance they might install without such a fuss?
What a waste of time.... Its not like XP is an old, outdated OS... Seems like this should be a simple process... Yikes!
Some of you recommended Linksys products, any chance they might install without such a fuss?
I think he was just trying to get rid of you..
What kind of problems you having??
Also Linksys routers are easy to install.
Are you running XP SP2? maybe you need to upgrade it to work..
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,443
Likes: 5
From: Willamette Valley, Oregon
The router installed ok, I tried to install the card in the other machine and after the card was installed, following the instructions carefully, the "setup wizard" never came back to complete things.. Tried all the "fixes" from their downloads... Never would work. It might be SP2, but there is no easy way to update in its location untill the wireless in up and running.. Seems like a router and card should work with XP even with sp2?
If they were trying to get rid of me, I must say it worked...LOL
Should Linksys stuff be less frustrating?
If they were trying to get rid of me, I must say it worked...LOL
Should Linksys stuff be less frustrating?