pc router help?

Question

At the moment i have one pc. I am with ntl broadband. I have bought my son a laptop for his christmas. What do i need to buy to get him up on the internet. If i buy a wireless router how easy is it to set up & do i need anything else to go with it. I am clueless, so an explanation in laymans term would be good
Thank you

Answer 1

First choose which computer in the house that you want to be your main computer, normally your desktop. Purchase a wired or wireless Router and hook it up to your main choice. Also, hook up your printer to that same computer. If you've chosen to use a wireless router, make sure that the internet card in your laptop is also wireless so that it's signal can jump to the router on your main machine, remembering that your service can only be as fast as your slowest computer, be sure to purchase the correct speed of router and internet card, the fastest being "N" which is capable of delivering Streaming Audio and Video. The "G" system also performs at a good speed and has the ability to work around corners, up and down stairs, from outside at the pool etc. Last is the "B" system which is the not only the slowest of them all but has problems with long distances, unlike the "G" system. Lynksys makes a great system and is reasonably priced. With the two computers hooked up in this manor, everything should work great for you. There are "range extender" antennas on the market that can extend the range even more if necessary. The router will also provide you with excellent hacker protection, as they have their own "IP" hiding properties. Hit me on [e-mail] if I can help further. Larry (RadioShack 01-9590)

Answer 2

Basically there are two ways to go -- wired or wireless.

Check your son's laptop and see if it came with a wireless NIC built in. If it has the Intel Centrino logo it definitely does though many laptops come with wireless NICs that are not Intel branded. Virtually all laptops come with a regular wired NIC built in as well. (None come with a built-in wireless router as one poster suggested; not sure what they were thinking...)

To share your internet connection, you'll need to purchase a router -- again either wired or wireless. They both have advantages and disadvantages.

Wired is easier to set up, it's literally "plug and play" and it is faster and more reliable than wireless. But you do have the wires to contend with.

Wireless has the advantage of being able to use the internet connection pretty much anywhere in your home without having to pull wires. There are potential security risks with wireless however. At the very least a neighbor can use your internet connection without your consent. At worst, someone can intercept your wireless signals and monitor everything that you do on line or even worse, hack into your systems.

All wireless routers provide encryption features but these are disabled by default since they need to be manually configured. There are two types of encryption in wide use, WEP and WPA. Without going into a technical description that would be way above your head, WPA is the way to go. It's very secure and hack-proof. WEP can be hacked by someone who knows what they are doing and is best avoided.

Most routers will work right out of the box without any configuration necessary. However if your broadband uses PPPoE or PPPoA for authentication (most DSL systems do) you will need to configure the router with your username and password before it can connect to the internet.

The router will come with detailed instructions on how to set up your home network. Much of it will sound like "geek speak" when you read through it the first time but if you sit down with the router, your computer, and the docs and follow the instructions carefully you should not have any trouble.

Answer 3

Asked a similar thing recently. Not hard. Just buy a wireless router and get your Internet Service Provider to guide you through what to do.

Answer 4

I agree 100% with wbriii13, Linksys is a well proven company and they have a very easy setup. I personally have the WRT45 router hardwired to desktop and wireless to my laptop. This also provides convenient internet access for relatives who visit during the summer months, and have recently added a network printer wireless as well so they don't have to worry about lugging their printer up with them.

Answer 5

well, if you son will be using the laptop at home, you may want to get a stationary router that you connect to your pc. then, check with his laptop bcuz it may have already came with a wireless router already installed. then, he can go on the internet at home and when he goes out he can also pick up other signals to use the internet as well.

Answer 6

you buy a wireless router set that up on ur pc. then if ur son has a wireless card in his laptop ur need to set up a network name and key from da. wireless router control panel on ur internet explorer .then u put that name and key in on da. network on ur sons laptop then hit apply for it to login

Answer 7

depending on what wireless router you buy the difficulty levels will change. don't buy a net gear router as they require allot of setting up.

Answer 8

This is what I recommend. It works "out-of-the-box" and you don't have to be a puter genious! It is not too pricey either.
Best value for the money and best support on the Inet!

You do have to make your link to the Inet secure though. You have to make the choice but Linksys makes that easy as well.

http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satellite?c=L_Product_C2&childpagename=US%2FLayout&cid=1149562300349&pagename=Linksys%2FCommon%2FVisitorWrapper

Witchcraft - UltraViolet!!!

Answer 9

my router was just plug and play.. i had nothing to do ..