What do I need to go wireless?

[The Olde Man]

I am on DSL.

I have a desktop that has a wireless router on it.

It would be helpful if I could run my Thinkpad 600 (Win98SE) from another place. I can locate it at a phone jack if needed but would be better if I didn't have to.

I have a ethernet card that I assume works.

What do I need to go on line and if possible, wireless?

[rkawakami]

Two choices:

- wired (ethernet)
- wireless (whatever flavor of 802.11 your current access point accepts)

In either case, you would need a PCMCIA adapter for the ethernet or WiFi connection and the proper software/drivers. Depending upon your current DSL modem/wireless router setup, you may need some more hardware for an ethernet connection (a switch or hub). You would have to run CAT-5 cable from your existing router out to where you will use the 600. With a wireless setup, you need a PCMCIA wireless card capable of being used with Windows 98. There are many companies which make this type of card: Netgear, D-Link, Linksys are some well-known ones. You need to be sure that whatever wireless card you plug into the 600 is using the same system as your wireless router. 802.11b is the oldest and slowest. 802.11g is newer and faster and can usually be used with 802.11b equipment. 802.11a and 802.11n also exist but I doubt that your router is capable of either. When you setup your wireless card on the 600, you will need to know the SSID of your router and the encryption key (password), if you have defined one. Be sure to follow all of the installation instructions for the wireless card. Some require that the software be installed first, before you even plug in the card.

[The Olde Man]

(Sigh) I can see I am going to have to call my 17yr old grandson in on this. Where do I find the SSID? The documentation for my router is non-existent, like most computer items these days..

[rkawakami]

Several ways to find your SSID:

- check your existing desktop wireless setup connection; there's probably an icon sitting in the system tray
- upon configuration of your laptop's wireless setup, it will probably give you a list of nearby wireless access points
- ask the person who setup your wireless access point what it is

For the first one, there may be an icon in the system tray which looks like a monitor with a couple of curved lines next to it. If you hover the cursor over it, it will say "Wireless Network Connection n (SSID name).

During the installation and configuration of the 600 wireless card, you should be given a chance to setup your default access point information. Most utilities will present a list of access point names (the SSID) with a signal strength, either in a percentage (closer to 100% the nearer you are) or a decibel reading (usually a negative number like -56db; closer to zero [i.e., less negative], the closer you are to it).

Whoever established your existing wireless system should have left some documentation on it.

What's harder to find out, is usually the encryption key (aka, password) to your wireless system. There can be a couple of different type of keys used (basically the length of the character strings are different) and most wireless utilities will hide the key when you open up the window where you are supposed to set it by displaying asterisks instead of the real characters. I guess your best bet would be to enlist the help of a trusted computer "nerd" to get your 600 online.

[The Olde Man]

Thanks for your help. I went to Google and it told me where to find the SSID and sure enough, there was a number there. So at least, I got that.

I will now proceed, watching carefully to the right and left, hoping I don't run over something critical.

Thanks again.