Another router question?

Question

I have Earthlink DSL, and Vonage VOIP on my computer. I want to get my Linksys router hooked up so that two old laptops in the house can also connect to the internet. I am stupid about this. I've found out I need wireless adaptor cards for the two laptops. Would it just be better to hook them to the router via a wire? Would it be cheaper? I don't know how much money I'm looking at here. I want to thank those who reply, your help is really appreciated. Also, if a wireless card is better, do I install it myself? Would Radio Shack help me with this? Comp USA? ACK....I hate this techie stuff !!!

Answer 1

the adapter might cost you $50 each. i don't know about the ethernet wires (depends on how long is it)

go to here for all your questions regarding help from linksys

here is where you can get help from

got to

http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satellite...

Than scroll your mouse to where it says support. when you place your mouse on support it would display two options

1 techincal support
2 custermer support

click on techincal support
you will be taken to another page. on left had side with blue shade there would be list of ways you can contact linksys
click on live chat

this will take you to another window where fill out few thing prior to chatting. you would be asked to fill your first and last name, email and phone number, (the reason they ask for phone number is because, if you get disconnected they will call you and help you via phone) than you have to choose which product you want support off.

in your case it would be first one. that is wireless routers and gateways

after you picked that one you would be asked to provide your model number

you can find this number on the back of you router

after that you will be asked to provide the version number

you can find it beside the model number it would ver. than younumber

than simply click on submit request.

you might have to wait for some time but at least you would get the proble solved.

o also make sure you use a wired computer. that the comuter that is wired to your router

Answer 2

Buy the wireless cards, I have seen them as low as $30 a piece. If you are just using the Internet at a normal rate then don't worry about the speed of the cards to much. If you hook them up with a wire it will be difficult for you to move them around or use them in a different room from the router. You install the cards your self, they will come with an install CD and easy directions. You may have to access you router software on whatever PC your router is connected to already to set up the new laptop connections. Good luck. If all else fails the router company can probably guide you through the process.

Answer 3

[edit] didn't see the part about wireless. Yes it is possible and the user manual or web site for the new router should have detailed instructions on how to set it up to work with the old router. The exact steps will differ depending on the brand and model. As was mentioned before make sure to use encryption and also change the keys once in a while if it's feasible. All the information sent on a wireless network is just floating around in the air for anyone to grab so encryption is very important.

Answer 4

You can get a wireless adapter that either inserts into the card slot or one that works via USB port.

You will want to make sure that whatever choice is compatible with your router.. for instance, if the router is type G you want to make sure the wireless adapters are type G
also if you choose USB you will want to make sure your old laptops are the proper type of usb .. for instance older usb was 1.0, 1.1 and newer usb is 2.0 and old windows 98 machines needed a specific upgrade to use USB and your may not have that.

Once you have the cards istalled and the software drivers installed you will be able to configure them to connect to the router. It's usually a good idea to get the adapters from the same manufacturer as the router.

If the laptops are going to be sitting right next to the router then the easiest thing to do is go with a network cable.

Good Luck

Answer 5

Direct cable connection is cheapest if you can get the cables to the other machines. If not you can install the wireless cards yourself by following the instructions.