Computer gurus ?

shack
shack Posts: 11,154
edited April 2024 in Clubhouse Archives
I am getting a new ISP with DSL and wireless home networking. Obviously my desktop will be hardwired and my daughter's laptop is already wireless capable. I have a Dell laptop that is not wireless capable. The ISP will upgrade it for $60. Is this the best option or is there a better way to upgrade the laptop to go wireless? Oh...the ISP is TDS (who has my phone service) if it matters.

Thanks in advance.
"Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

"For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase

"Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson
Post edited by RyanC_Masimo on
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  • PolkThug
    PolkThug Posts: 7,532
    edited September 2005
    They are just adding a wireless NIC to a slot on the laptop. I think I paid about $60 for mine two years ago.
    Never Forget
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  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited September 2005
    It is an 802.11g nic. Will any brand work?
    "Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

    "For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase

    "Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson
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  • CrBoy
    CrBoy Posts: 580
    edited September 2005
    shack wrote:
    It is an 802.11g nic. Will any brand work?

    Yes... any brand will be ok.
    <|>
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  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited September 2005
    Thanks for the info.
    "Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

    "For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase

    "Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson
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  • Mike682
    Mike682 Posts: 2,074
    edited September 2005
    any brand will work....I've seen wireless nic cards for $15-$60...one very important thing: make sure you enable wireless security. Too many people leave their wireless networks wide open ( I can see at least three other available open wireless connections in my house, probably my neighbor's)....make sure the wireless nic card has the compatible security features as the router. I use WPA encryption on mine
    Receiver: harmankardon AVR235
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  • Polk addict
    Polk addict Posts: 558
    edited September 2005
    Yeah. Be sure to get a firewall! :) It's almost neccessary. Most wireless routers have it built in. :cool:
    Chiranth
    hoosier21 wrote:
    Cobra + SDA's = dead amps laying all around.
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  • ND13
    ND13 Posts: 7,601
    edited September 2005
    Mike682 wrote:
    . Too many people leave their wireless networks wide open ( I can see at least three other available open wireless connections in my house, probably my neighbor's)....

    So that means you could log on to one of their networks then, right??
    "SOME PEOPLE CALL ME MAURICE,
    CAUSE I SPEAK OF THE POMPITIOUS OF LOVE"
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  • Mike682
    Mike682 Posts: 2,074
    edited September 2005
    ND13 wrote:
    So that means you could log on to one of their networks then, right??

    Yep, I can search available networks within my range, and if they are not secured, I could just jump on. When you secure your network, it becomes password protected so others can't jump on to your network.
    Receiver: harmankardon AVR235
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  • ND13
    ND13 Posts: 7,601
    edited September 2005
    That's what i thought. I think I'll just go with a hard wired router, since I'm not gonna have more than 1 in the house anyway, and I really just want it for the firewall, cause several have suggested doing the router thing for just that reason alone.
    "SOME PEOPLE CALL ME MAURICE,
    CAUSE I SPEAK OF THE POMPITIOUS OF LOVE"
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  • Mike682
    Mike682 Posts: 2,074
    edited September 2005
    ND13 wrote:
    That's what i thought. I think I'll just go with a hard wired router, since I'm not gonna have more than 1 in the house anyway, and I really just want it for the firewall, cause several have suggested doing the router thing for just that reason alone.

    You can go with a combo router that is both wired and wireless just in case you ever want to add a wireless laptop or something in the future. You can disable the wireless part until you are ready to use it..

    Here is mine:
    http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satellite?childpagename=US%2FLayout&packedargs=c%3DL_Product_C2%26cid%3D1115416825557&pagename=Linksys%2FCommon%2FVisitorWrapper
    Receiver: harmankardon AVR235
    Mains: polk R30
    Center: polk CSi3
    Rear Surrounds: polk R20
    Subwoofer: polk PSW404
    DVD: Panasonic DVD-S29
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  • faster100
    faster100 Posts: 6,124
    edited September 2005
    wireless nics don't need to cost 60 bucks.. plenty available with rebates for 20 -30 bucks.... I run a wireless laptop with wep incryption... just make your own code don't let windows enter one for ya... My is locked up so the cable guy and anyone else can't borrow my broadband.. plus if you don't share folders or hard drive partitions people cant get ON your computer anyways, just use your internet access.. Good luck,


    Yes dual routers are great, I have a D-link, 3 ports and wireless
    MY HT RIG:
    Sherwood p-965
    Sherwood sd871 dvd
    Rotel 1075 amp x5
    LSI15 mains
    LsiC center
    LSIfx surround backs
    Lsi7 side surrounds
    SVS pb12/plus2

    2 Channel Rig:

    nad 1020 Pre-amp
    Rotel 1080 stereo amp
    Polk sda 2B
    kenwood grunt Tuner
    realistic lab 450 TT
    Signal cable IC
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  • ND13
    ND13 Posts: 7,601
    edited September 2005
    Mike682 wrote:
    You can go with a combo router that is both wired and wireless just in case you ever want to add a wireless laptop or something in the future. You can disable the wireless part until you are ready to use it..

    Here is mine:
    http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satellite?childpagename=US%2FLayout&packedargs=c%3DL_Product_C2%26cid%3D1115416825557&pagename=Linksys%2FCommon%2FVisitorWrapper

    They have that one Wally world. How much should I expect to pay for one like that??
    "SOME PEOPLE CALL ME MAURICE,
    CAUSE I SPEAK OF THE POMPITIOUS OF LOVE"
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  • Mike682
    Mike682 Posts: 2,074
    edited September 2005
    I've seen it go for $39....Compusa has it for $49 after rebate..

    http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=299891&pfp=cat3
    Receiver: harmankardon AVR235
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    Center: polk CSi3
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    Subwoofer: polk PSW404
    DVD: Panasonic DVD-S29
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  • ND13
    ND13 Posts: 7,601
    edited September 2005
    I don't need the one with the Speedbooster, do I?
    "SOME PEOPLE CALL ME MAURICE,
    CAUSE I SPEAK OF THE POMPITIOUS OF LOVE"
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  • Mike682
    Mike682 Posts: 2,074
    edited September 2005
    ND13 wrote:
    I don't need the one with the Speedbooster, do I?

    Maybe for heavy/graphic intense wireless gaming..

    wireless g by itself is fast enough for just about anything...
    Receiver: harmankardon AVR235
    Mains: polk R30
    Center: polk CSi3
    Rear Surrounds: polk R20
    Subwoofer: polk PSW404
    DVD: Panasonic DVD-S29
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  • PolkThug
    PolkThug Posts: 7,532
    edited September 2005
    I have a D-Link combo unit. Pretty easy to set up.
    Never Forget
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  • Polk addict
    Polk addict Posts: 558
    edited September 2005
    I posted earlier. Looks like you guys have what you want. :( Someone said earlier about leaving the wireless connection open. Always add a login password. Unless your neighbors are out of range. That happened to me for about a month. Then I realized that there were two PC's on the server.:cool:
    Chiranth
    hoosier21 wrote:
    Cobra + SDA's = dead amps laying all around.
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