WIreless hookup for newby

[conn60h]

I am now using a desktop computer, with a Intel pro DSL 2100 modem. I use megabit Select DSL with Qwest. I just purchased an IBM R50e laptop, and want to connect it wirelessly. I still want to keep using my desktop. Both are using Windows XP-2 home edition. What do I need to get connected? Only one computer will be used at a time. I don't really need to access my printer or scanner with my new laptop. HELP!!!

[Kyocera]

You need a wireless access point/router.

[pcnoob]

hey, what brand of PCMCIA wireless card would you recommend for a TP600?

[tfflivemb2]

Personally I like the Linksys brand, but at all costs, I avoid SMC. I have two SMC cards that my nephews use when they come over. Their connections get dropped left and right....even if they use it at their own apartment.

[pcnoob]

What about those no name brands on ebay? Are they any good?

[tfflivemb2]

Such as?

[LtTPfan]

I have been using Linksys for some time with few complaints. I have a spare WRT54G set up as repeater in my shop as I kept dropping out due to distance and interferance.

I'm thinking of moving up to superG when I get a new (to me) Thinkpad with mini-PCI. Anyone have comments on Netgear routers as they seem to have some very decent prices.

[Kyocera]

For my personal use, I have a Belkin. The web interface is so easy and makes sense. Had a customer with a Netgear a couple of weeks ago that had to keep resetting it to get dhcp to work properly. That is kind of a common problem with all the low end routers though. I would not hesitate to get a netgear or belkin and encourage the die hard linksys fans to also.

[conn60h]

All very interesting, but not helping the original poster(ME) a bit.

The way Qwest tells me, is that I have to rent or purchase their equipment to get on line wirelessly. Are they just blowing smoke up my ***, or can I buy something else?

[Kyocera]

Purchase a router, and some ethernet cables. Do an ipconfig /all from your computer that is wired, write down ALL IP information. Plug your router into the modem RJ45 connection and into the WAN/Internet connection on the router, connect your desktop or laptop with a wire into one of the router ports. You can use the set up CD if you want but that is really not necessary, the router comes defaulted with DHCP on so it will give you and IP address if you have "obtain address automatically" enabled for you LAN connection. Check the manual that comes with your router for for the routers web page IP address, usually something like 192.168.1.1. Pull up your web browser and you can configure your security settings and all sorts of other fun stuff.

If your laptop is on when you plug in the router it should be able to find it. I personally do not ever use access connections (think that is the IBM network helper program) because I have to troubleshoot wireless networks so I leave mine as is, however, many here do use it and it may be a good thing to find out about that or read up on it. I recommend letting windows configure your connection first, then when you get it straight use access connections. The router should obtain your IP addres for your internet connection.

Be patient, follow the set up intstructions, use basic troubleshooting steps if you encounter any problems and you should be fine. If your printer/scanner are connected to your desktop as long as your desktop is on and connected you can use it as a print server.

pcnoob wrote:
hey, what brand of PCMCIA wireless card would you recommend for a TP600?

I have used D-link with marginal success, there is nothing like true built in wireless, so I would buy something that you can take back to the store if it does not suite your needs.

[conn60h]

Thanks Kyocera, for the information. It was very helpfull.

[GomJabbar]

I added a wireless router/ap to my Earthlink DSL setup. Earthlink DSL came with a Broadcom DSL modem. While it initially worked for getting online, Windows Update would not work. After some searching I found out that I had to change the setup in the DSL modem and in the wireless router/ap to use PPPOE. You will likely encounter the same problem. Do some searches on Google or on the broadband forums for setting up the modem that Qwest provides. It should be possible, but I don't think you will get any help from Qwest. BTW, I have Earthlink DSL, but it is over a Qwest phone line.

One additional point. Once you set up the modem for PPPOE, you can no longer access the modem's setup menu unless you do a hard reset of the modem to restore to factory defaults.

[Kyocera]

most routers set for dsl do use PPPOE. Pretty much the standard protocol nowdays.

[GomJabbar]

most routers set for dsl do use PPPOE. Pretty much the standard protocol nowdays.

While I won't argue that, in my case the DSL modem had a router built in (even though there was only one ethernet jack). Basically I had to disable the router in the modem (Maybe this is the wrong term. I think it was called the DHCP server, or something like that.). As far as the wireless router/ap (It was not specifically a DSL router. I just bought it on my own from Micro Center.), I really don't remember what the default settings are, but there are several options, ie: PPPOE, bridge connection, static IP, etc. (as I recall).

If conn60h buys his wireless router/ap from somewhere other than Qwest, he will probably be in the same position I was. If he gets it through Qwest, then yes, it probably will be pre-configured to work out-of-the-box.

I am not what one would call a networking guru. I just picked up a few things along the way.