Wireless Routers - if you want two computers hooked up to the internet, will i need 2 USB Adapters?

Question

I want two computers to have access to the internet. I am aware you need a wireless router and an adapter. But going by this diagram:

http://www.microsoft.com/athome/moredone/wirelesssetup.mspx

I would need two adapters as the first computer will not be hooked up anymore. Is this right?

Okay, by the sounds of things - if i get a router with more than 1 port i only need a USB adapter.

I am thinking of getting this router:
http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/114155/rb/22023017516

with this adapter:

http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/75552/rb/22023017516

would this work for two computers? I want to be doubly sure not to get the wrong thing!

Answer 1

Usually one Pc is directly connected to router and the other is wireless therefore only one USB adapter

Answer 2

Yes -- how my wireless network is set up is almost exactly like the picture on the Mr. Softy page you included.

So the cable/DSL line comes in from the wall and connects to the modem. The modem's output is an Ethernet cable, right? Well, in my setup I have the Ethernet cable running from the modem to the input of my wireless router.

Then, my computers have wireless adapters -- some are built-in, some are PCMCIA cards, and one is a USB adapter.

Now, most wireless routers ALSO have ports for connecting other Ethernet cables -- in fact, now that you mention it I have a cable from one port on the router to one of my computers.

But yes, once you plug the output of your modem into your router, you will need to connect all your computers to that router. If you're running XP it all should "just work," otherwise you may need to configure your router -- it should come with a CD-ROM that will let you go in and configure it, using one of your computers as the interface and the router's virtual IP address in your network. Check the instructions for your router for details.

Answer 3

Just because you want to connect more that one PC to the Internet does not mean you need a Wireless Router at all. A standard 4 port Ethernet ADSL router will suffice. If you want to avoid cables you will need Wireless Router/USB/Internal wireless network cards. If you go the cable route you can use an RJ45/CAT 5 Ethernet cable per PC easily bought from any computer shop.

Answer 4

You will need two Wireless PCI Cards, only if you are thinking of connecting two desktops to the Internet by means of Wireless.
If it is one Desktop and one Laptop that you wish to use to access to the Internet then you need only a single PCI Wireless Card because the Laptop may have its own built in Wireless Mini-PCI Card or you can use a PCMCIA Card.

Normally most newer Routers have at least 4 Ethernet Cable slot. The first Computer if it is a Desktop can be connected to the Router ( and the Internet using the Ethernet Cable, provided you have an Ethernet Card installed or if you have an Ethernet Port built onto the Systemboard ). The second Computer will need a Wireless PCI card if it is going to be a Desktop.

As mentioned before by another person, if the second computer is a Laptop, then you may not have to worry as most of the latest laptops have built in Wireless hardware. If you don't have built in Wireless Hardware then all you need is a Wireless PCMCIA Card which can be installed into the Slot on the Side of the Laptop.


So you will connect as follows.

a) Broadband Cable coming in from outside of your house connects to your Cable Modem / DSL Modem.

b) One Ethernet Cable from the Modem connects to your Wireless Router ( you may have to configure the Router to recognize the Modem).

c) Another Ethernet Cable from the Router goes to your Desktop Computer's Ethernet Slot ( if you dont have any Ethernet Port than you need an Ethernet card ). If you wish you can buy a Wireless PCI Card for the Desktop.

d) If your second PC is a Laptop then it will automatically receive signals from the Wireless Router provided that the Wireless is enabled on it.

d) If in case your second PC also is a desktop than you need a Wireless PCI card or an Ethernet Card ( one Ethernet Cable from an Ethernet Port on the Router can be connected to the Ethernet Port of the computer.).

Here, I have not mentioned using the USB Cable for your Internet connection because I am not entirely in favor of doing that. Using up one of your USB Port to connect to Internet is not a great idea as far as I am concerned. Ethernet Cards are rather cheap.

Answer 5

I have a question: Will you be using DSL?

I am going to assume that you are going to be using DSL as your internet.

Here is what you need and need to do.
I recommend purchasing a Linksys router (G series)
It is about 45 dollars at Best Buy.

You want to connect your one computer that intend to still be connected to the internet to the DSL modem like you would if you were just keeping that connected to the internet. Connect the router to that computer. (its comes with all the cords) Then connect the DSL modem to the router that is connected to computer 1.

Now computer 2 - needs wireless ability. If it doesnt - you will need the USB cord but most new computers have wireless ability. If it does it will not need a USB cord it will just need to receive the signal from the router.

If you have questions - [e-mail]

Answer 6

yes if you go by that diagram you will need two adapters.
but if you want to save the money you can have the desktop wired to the router and the laptop wireless. that will eliminate the need for one adapter. just keep the router and modem hooked up near the desktop. if your setup doesnt allow that for some reason then yes 2 adapters it is. also maybe your laptop already has wireless capabilities if its new you should check that. then you wouldnt need any adapters. good luck

Answer 7

If you want two computers to connect to the internet wirelessly via a wireless router you will require a wireless adapter for each computer.

However, when you setup your wireless router you will need to connect to the router using a network cable sometimes called an RJ45 cable.

When you setup your router ensure you set WPA encryption and MAC address filtering or everyman and his dog will be using your network connection. ( I used a neighbours for almost a year )

Also ensure you change the default password to log onto your router.

Answer 8

You do not have to have USB adapter if you already have wireless card on your laptop but you'll need wireless card or usb adapter for your PC

Answer 9

If you use Windows XP, you may connect peer-to-peer the computers between them (even with a plain network cabe) and connect the one of them to the internet

Answer 10

I suppose you could... but you would be better of getting an ADSL router