Laptop, Desktop internet help?

Question

i have a laptop and a desktop. I dont know much about internet so i cant really state my question accurately and i have no clue what to do. I want to share internet on both my laptop and desktop. But, when i go on vacations far away from home i want to be able to use the internet on my laptop. If its possible i would also like to have it back home too. But thats not the main goal. I dont really care if that cant happen. I just want internet on my laptop all the time. What do i need to buy and how can i have internet on both my lapyop and internet with my laptop being the main source or whatever it means to have it even when I'm away from home. Remember i want to share the internet. i dont want two seprerate internet connections.

Answer 1

I found all parts here
http://www.pricewatch.com

buy a wireless PCMCIA network card for you laptop
http://3btech.net/chwl1180wipc.html

(yes sprint can offer one as well, but with a simple wireless card you can still pick up signal throughout town for free)

and get a wireless router for the house
http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satellite?c=L_Product_C2&childpagename=US%2FLayout&cid=1149562300349&pagename=Linksys%2FCommon%2FVisitorWrapper

check to see if you already have a built in network card on the back of the desktop computer - the plug looks like a phone jack only a tiny bit bigger.

If not, it's up to you about what kind of network card (PCI) you want on the desktop

choose a PCI network card, either wireless or not.

wireless
http://www.gearxs.com/gearxs/product_info.php?products_id=7986
or not wireless
http://www.eaglebit.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=EB-400-00531&Click=14

make sure you buy a network cable if you choose to go non wireless. Its a good idea to get one any way. Its cheap.
Its call RJ45 or Cat5 cable
http://www.microbarn.com/details.aspx?rid=100127&source=pricewatch


now as far as setting everything up, thats a different story.

ISP (internet service provider) provides a high speed modem. That modem connects to the wall and (with cat5) to the router. mine goes into the plug labeled "internet" on my router.

If you have all wireless cards don't worry about any more cat5

now if you get the regular non wireless pci card for the desktop, then cat5 will go from plug labeled (1) on the router to the desktop network card.

Hopefully if you have DHCP http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dynamic_Host_Configuration_Protocol
working on the router (it usually comes that way) and on both computers then everything should connect itself automaticaly

(if not, call you isp tech support and the should help ya)

don't worry about connection sharing. the router does that by itself.

Checking with the isp to see if the offer a service of coming out there and setting everything up and giving you the parts is an option, but it will be more expinsive than if you get the parts yourself.

Good Luck

Answer 2

What you want are two separate things...

At home you can use a broadband connection with a router (it can be wired or wired+wireless) and both PCs connected to the router... then both of them can surf. Wifi connection for the laptop is more mobile within your house (you don't have to trail a wire about after you)

Alternatively if you use dial-up, look up Internet Conenction Sharing in Windows Help.. it leads you by the hand on how to set up a shared internet.

Away from home you *cant* use your home broadband. So your laptop will need either a model and a dial-up acount setting up or it will need a wifi card and some way to pay for wifi use.

Dial up away from home needs a land line phone jack.

Wifi away from home needs a hotspot provider (eg Borders bookshops tend to have them as do Starbucks) and you may need to pay-per-hour or have a contract to use them... and be within a few hundred feet at best of the base station.

Or if you don't mind supporting your mobile phone company you can use your mobile as a dial up device and pay mobile rates for surfing. Or you can buy a datacard (much the same idea, but the phone is cut down to only do computer-connection stuff not voice and screen).

Or you can go for more exotic mobile solutions... satellite, pirating other 'open' wifi networks etc.

Answer 3

To share 1 internet connection, you need a device called a router. You can purchase either a wired or wireless router. Wireless routers have some configuring to do but most recent laptops will be able to use the internet wirelessly. Wired routers have little configuration but that laptop is always going to be tethered down.

When traveling, wireless internet is dependant on being in range of a wireless network. A standard wireless G router (standard right now) has a range of about 300 feet. Many hotels have wireless internet for their patrons to use during their stay however it isn't always free. Depending on where you live and availability, you may be able to purchase a device called an Air Card. You get these through cell phone providers on contract like a cell phone. It gets you high speed internet wherever you have a signal from that provider. Prices vary.

Answer 4

Most ISP's will offer wireless Internet as long as you have service to a desktop. Right now I am on my laptop in the kitchen and my desktop is in the family room, both connected at the same time. I have a router which gives me a wireless connection for up to 5 other pc's.(for the price of one) As far as traveling most all hotels/motels offer wireless Internet for free. If where you decide to stay does not offer it look at other places to stay because most lodging now offers it. I'm not too computer smart or I might have been able to explain it better. If your laptop doesn't have a built in wireless thing (lol don't know what it is called) i know you can buy the part you need for about 30 bucks

Answer 5

Alas, you are right not very accurate...but lets try.

Internet at home...you have to get /buy service from someone. Cable modem, dialup or dsl.

To share internet on your laptop and desktop at home. But a router at your friendly computer store. Please get help on setting it up since if it wireless there are serious security issues since you don't know what you are doing. (buy a teenager they work for pizza)

On vacation: depends on where you are. In a hotel, a lot of them have wireless internet. They could help you IF your laptop has a wireless card.

There are some simple setting up home internet instructions on the net. Check with your local cable company... they can usually give you written instructions.

Answer 6

Buy a wireless router. They retail for between $50 and $80 at any computer or electronics store.

Instead of running the cable from the wall to the modem to the computer, you'll run it from the wall to the modem to the router to the computer. The desktop will still be on the internet but now the laptop will have wireless access anywhere within hundreds of feet from your router.

Answer 7

You need a wireless card in your laptop. Then you'll have to be in places that have wireless access available - IE: Starbucks/Panera Bread. Even if you have a wireless card, it doesn't mean you'll automatically pick up on an internet connection - there has to be an open network available. Also, your home connection would play no role in this if you are not near your home trying to connect. There is only a certain range for this type of thing.

Answer 8

You will need a broadband Internet service so that you can set up a router with wireless capability at home. Your desktop can be wired and your laptop wireless. They will share the internet service.
When you travel, you will have to connect from where you are. Most hotels provide wireless connection for guests. You will be able to access the Internet from there and it has nothing to do with your connection at home.

Answer 9

Dude,you need to get a wireless router.I recommend "Range Max",I have one because I have a laptop and my children have desktops.No need to get all those separate Internet connections when you can link the computers to a single router.

If you want quick speeds with the router I recommend 'Road Runner High Speed".Less bandwidth sharing issues.

Answer 10

$20 ethernet hub and use Internet Connection Sharing built in to Windows since W'98.