wireless internet question?

Question

i currently have a cable internet connection (modem)

i am condisering getting a lap top computer, i seen the wireless connectors at walmart that claim you can use dsl/cable

i don't understand how it works .. .my connection is through the cable company, will i be able to use the wireless net and also when i go to the library (that has wireless) will i be able to use my lap top there or will i need something special

i know its a dumb questuon but i really dont know .. thanks in advance for any help you can give or even a website that explains everything

ok, so i buy the router and card and it will work with my regular cable internet ? ..

can't for the life of me figure out how but how isn't as important as can it ..lol

thanks so much

ok, so i buy the router and card and it will work with my regular cable internet ? ..

can't for the life of me figure out how but how isn't as important as can it ..lol

thanks so much

Answer 1

What you need at home is a wireless router. this will connect to your cable modem. Your laptop must have a wireless card to pick up the signal at home or anywhere there is a wireless access point.

Answer 2

You will need to hook up a wireless router to your cable modem. That communicates by radio waves to a transceiver in your laptop. Your cable company probably has some instructions on how to set it up. They may even sell a wireless kit for you that includes the router and they will set it up. It's really not that hard to do but if you are really unfamiliar with this stuff it might be better to have them do it for you. Or get a friend to do it and show you how.

I know that at BestBuy, if you buy a laptop and a wireless router from them, for an extra $10 they'll come over and set it up.

If you are unfamilar it is worth having someone who knows what they are doing help you just so they will set up security features so other people don't access your system through your router.

Once you have the wireless laptop, you should be able to connect to wifi systems at the library and other places.

Answer 3

not dumb at all.

Get a Wireless router that plugs into the DSL/Cable connection in place of the computer. It will have a "web server" page included for set up. You can use it to log into your account and keep the connection alive. The TCP/IP address that is assigned to your computer niormally is assigned to your router while it is logged on.

The wireless part is set up to use a private internet subnet, usually 192.168.1.xxx. It will use DHCP to assign the addresses to your computer when it connects wirelessly. In fact, you can connect dozens of computers this way. I connect two laptops, my wifes computer, my iPaq handheld and my sons and daughters when they come home. All on the same internet connection.

What happens inside the router is that it passes (routes) the packet of information to and from your computer via the router assigned TCPIP address PLUS the local address to each of your computers (or handheld devices or game systems or whatever needs a wireless internet ID)

There is some addition security related advice to set up the wireless (change the NetID, do not broadcast it, and use encryption for the wireless so your neighbors don't use it), but that can be read elsewhere.

The equipment to buy:
-Wireless Router - Like a Linksys
-Network Cable for cable modem to router (use the computer cable)
- A compatable wireless card for each computer. Either a built in, or a USB plugin works well. Many laptops have it built in already.

By the way, wireless has different formats. 802.11b is an older format that tansmits up to 11mb/sec. 802.11g is 5 times faster, but when you realize that the cable model can only handle 1 to 5 mb/sec a fast wireless doesn;t matter. The cable or DSL are the bottleneck.

Answer 4

Since you already have a cable modem for your internet connection, you will need a wireless modem to be able to use the internet wirelessly. You simply connect your wireless router to your cable modem like you do with your computer to the modem. The router will allow you to share your internet connection to whomever has wireless capability on their desktop or laptop computer as well as plug in as many wired network connections as you have ports available on your router. If you do decide to buy a wireless router, make sure you take the time to secure your router with a password or limit the MAC ids that can connect to your router wirelessly if you don't want to share your connection with your neighbor. Linksys seems to be the most reliable that I've found. I've tried several different brands and Linksys has given me the best range and reliability in connections. You don't need anything else other than the router itself. Your cable modem already provides the connectivity to the net.

Answer 5

Hey.
If you want to use wireless internet, it's probably only worth it if you have dsl (not dial-up).
Then, you need a wireless router (with a modem built-in), and, if your laptop doesn't have a wireless network card built-in, you need to buy one.
If you have this, you will be able to use wireless internet with your laptop anywhere that has it.
:D

Answer 6

most lap tops these days come with wireless and you don't need to buy any extra gadgets.

if you want to get wireless instead of this cable thing, you will need to set something up with a provider and install something at your house. at the library you can just tell your computer to search for wireless networks in range and connect to them.

here's a basic intro: http://computer.howstuffworks.com/wireless-network.htm

Answer 7

I would suggest going to a expert for information. Try asking someone at the local computer store. They even might have what you need!