Wireless Internet Router????

Question

I have a notebook computer on order, for school. I want to get wireless internet in my house, and I was told all I had to do is get a wireless router and hook it up. My question is....how do I know if the one I buy will reach throughout my house? And I dont want to spend a lot of money, so will one my "linksys" for $70 be ok?

My house really isn't that big. Its a split level, and the main (middle) is where the main computer is. So its basically centered. Thanks for the help!!!

I haven't bought one yet..I was looking at some of the common stores (best buy, walmart, target)...and I haven't found one yet under $69.99...any ideas on where to find one that may be cheaper or more options?

I haven't bought one yet..I was looking at some of the common stores (best buy, walmart, target)...and I haven't found one yet under $69.99...any ideas on where to find one that may be cheaper or more options?

Answer 1

I have gone though a variety of wireless routers, freebies or upgrades, and all of them have had no problem reaching throughout my house. 3 floors about 1200 sqft each. The router is slightly off center in the middle floor.

However, it is dependent upon your particular house, so YMMV.

Circuit City has some cheap:
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Networking/sem/rpsm/catOid/-12980/N/20012961+20012980+5102+5103+4094/link/ref/rpem/ccd/categorylist.do

Best Buy: is competitive:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=pcmcat25300050001&type=category&_DARGS=/site/en_US/catalog/fragments/product/olslinelistingsortfilter.jsp


An 802.11N router is faster. But only if you have an N class card in your laptop. Also N is not an official standard yet. So the 802.11 body may change it before it gets approved, in which case your router may not work with an official 802.11N card. (like in your next laptop)


They come with good instructions for installation, so just follow those to get it set up.

Once it is set up:

Change the administrator password on the router.
Make sure the firewall is enabled.
Enable ping blocking.
Change the default router IP address. Only change the third number in the sequence. (I.e. change it from 192.168.0.1 to 192.168.xxx.1 where xxx is a number between 1 and 255)
For the wireless, change the SSID
On your laptop snoop around to see what other wireless networks are there. Check to see which channels they are on. Set your channel to be at least 2 away from the stronger signals.
Enable encryption on the wireless. WEP is O.K. WPA is better.

Doing the above will make your computers much harder to attack from outside, will give you the best wireless signal and will stop anyone 'borrowing' your wireless. (People using your wireless slows down your download speed. Also if they go anywhere they should not, your ISP will come knocking on your door not theirs!)


If most of the above is jibberish to you right now, do not worry, it will be clearer after you go through the router set up.

Answer 2

How large is your house?

As long as your house isn't made of steel and concrete, a standard router should be good enough for your needs. Before you go and spend money on routers that have "range extenders" try the Linksys router that you're eyeing. If it doesn't work, you can always return it. :)

If you're planning on networking some computers, you may want to drop a few more dollars on the latest technology which is 802.11n. It will allow you to stream video and music files from a desktop computer onto your notebook computer without hiccups.

Answer 3

seems like you bought the linksys already ? if you did it should be ok but you need to figure out to place the router in the middle of the area/house that you will be using the laptop making sure that there is phone jack there for the modem and two plugs (one for modem and other for the router..

otherwise I would suggest getting the router from BEst Buy and test it out if it works keep it ..don't work return no charge.

if you are stuck with the linksys router you can always get a bigger antenna or a booster.

you don't have to spend alot of money for a router.just make sure you encrypt your signal

Answer 4

You get what you pay for. Examples in link, but around $60 to $120 I assume you have a high speed internet link to your residence that the router will be connected to.

Answer 5

That router should be fine. I don't know how big your house is, but you might not even have to spend that much. Check on eBay for used ones to save more money. I bought a used Netgear for around $25 shipped. Signal reaches everywhere in my house, but not outside. Good luck.

Answer 6

Unless your house is huge, any wireless router should be ok. But check out some reviews the router before buying.

Answer 7

There are two types of commonly used routers. One is 802.11b, the other is 802.11g. Choose g. because of the higher data rate transfer (54 mbps, vs 11 mbps from b.)

Edit: oops, the range is about the same between them (50-100 meters).

Answer 8

linksys is pretty good for wireless... but you need to know that in a house it will transmit well in a mobile home it will not transmit as well. but on the same note you can get a better antenna if you have issues.

Answer 9

find out from linksis the radius of the signal sent out by your router. once you get your router (belkin is cheaper), just follow the directions and hook it up to your broadband modem

Answer 10

yeah if your house is bill gates house it won't work but otherwise yes. however, i'm assuming you already know this, but you must have internet access to have wireless internet. unless your neighbor has a wireless router already.