how do i hook up DSL from my first computer to my other 2 computers (a laptop and a desktop)?

Question

i have 3 computers, one laptop and 2 desktop computers. i have one of the desktops hooked up to DSL but i want to hook the laptop onto wireless internet and i want to hook the other desktop up too. the problem is that i don't have a wall jack thing in the room where i want the second desktop computer. how should i manage this set up? is it possible to have a desktop computer on wireless internet as well as a laptop?

Answer 1

I just wrote a ton of stuff, only to lose it all when I was doing copy/paste of several websites at the end to help you out. Darn!! lol

Anyway, to hook up your Modem to use your connection with other computers you need a Router, and at least one, most likely two, Wireless Adapters. Your laptop probably already has a Wireless Adapter, so you just need to hook it up to the Router once you have it configured.

Physically hooking up a Router to a Modem is simple. Hooking up your currently hooked up computer to the Router is simple.

All you do is unhook the ethernet RJ45 Cable from the Modem, hook a ethernet RJ45 Cable into the Router, then into the Modem. Hook both Modem and Router to their respective power sources. Next, and last, (at least in this arrangment) is to now hook the ethernet cable you had hooked up to the Modem, into one of the ethernet jacks on the Router. Now, all is connected, right off the bat, as you have already done the Modem configuration when you initially hooked your computer up to your ISPs Modem.

Now, it is important for you to know that the rest of this configuration is as basic and simple as what I outlined above, only you need to also configure your Routers security. You DO NOT want to use the router without proper security. I will outline what these security configurations, the minimal which is most important below:

1. Your Router ships without an Admin Password. It is important for you to set this password in the configuration pages of your Router. Otherwise, anyone with knowledge of your particular Routers manufacturer specs can access these pages.

2. You will want to change the SSID of your Routers Wireless Network. The SSID is basically the name of your Router, and it is your manufactuers name plus a series of unique numbers rather like a serial number at the end. You change this because those with experiance know this and having the name is the first step of accessig your connection, and through that your networked computers. However, don't fall for the "hide your SSID" option, as all it does is cause trouble for you, rather than slow down invaders. Experianced invaders can find your SSID even if it is "hidden" via this option.

3. Use MAC address access list. A MAC address is a unique serial number for every single peice of network hardware on the market, no two has the same, as such they are rather like IP addresses. When you add each computers MAC address (Media Access Control address). It is realiively simple to locate these numbers. There are two methods, one you can do prior to setting up your encryption options, (once you do this you are temporarily offline, untill you run the Network Setup Wizard on each system, where you add the encryption method of your choices password or passphrase, I discuss this later)

One method of accessing each computer MAC address is clicking Start-Run. In the Run box type in cmd and hit OK. This brings up a Command Prompt session. Once the command prompt is open, type in: ipconfig /all and hit Enter, you will see information scroll down and stop.

*note* There is a space between ipconfig and /all.

Now, at the top of your connections information you will find a line called Physical Address, located under the name of your adapter connection. My description says:

ethernet adapter Wireless Network Connection Bear.

Bear is the name I set as my SSID within the Routers configuration pages, and it is what is listed on my Network Connections folder as I changed the name there too, so it matches up, this makes it easy to know which network connection you are working with at any given time. Often, people will have mutiple adapters, such as a ethernet wired adapter and a ethernet wireless adapter, as I do.

So, if you feel more confortable accessing information prior to entering the Routers config pages you can do so this way. Just jot down each computers MAC address, making sure you have each clearly named, use the computers name if you wish, which is what I did.

The other method of accessing the MAC address is after you have the basics setup in the Router configuration pages. You can do so after you have set the encryption, created the password or passphrase, whichever method of encryption you choose, they both are the same thing anyway. However, when you do it afterwards, you do risk your network for a short amount of time, by allowing some extra degree of exposure. However, I setup my MAC address access allow list after I had setup my encryption. In fact, I did so long afterwards. lol

So, you can create your MAC address allow list in your initial configuration of Router options, or later on, but I strongly encourage you to do so at the soonest opportunity.

The next step is to enable your Routers Hardware firewall. To do so just navigate to that area of your configuration pages, and put a check or fill in with color, usually green, ;-) in front of Enable NAT Feature, or whatever wording is used by your manufacturer. Regardless of the wording you will locate this option under Firewall. A hardware firewall is more secure than a software firewall, but use your software firewall in conjunction with the hardware. Two is far better than one alone, and you can safely use a hardware and software firewall without fear of incompatibility where you have system instability at best and crashes at worst.

Finally, you need to setup your encryption. Which you choose depends on what type of hardware you have, and if your current software firewall is compatible. The one you have to be concerned with compatibility is WPA, because it is newest and so less items are compatible. When I first hooked up our Router my Panda firewall was NOT compatible, and so I went without it for several months, becuase I like Panda that much. Off Topic, sorry.

Which you choose depends on compatibility. ALL systems have to work with WPA, and so if you are unsure if WPA is compatible, start with WEP, as it is far better than nothing and it is compatible with everything because it is an older protocol.

Now, when you first put in your password or passphrase, your system(s) will go offline for a bit. Just until you run the Wireless Network Wizard and put in your password. At this time you are connected automatically. Unless you have the capability of the newest network system, just do this manually. It is not difficult at all. Just run the Wizard on each system, (WinXP) WinVista is a bit different. It is easier, but I haven't use Vista personally as yet. I have used it at work, but not to configure the network.

Anyway, Vista has a capability to use a USB stick to place all configuration files. You simply go into Vista's network connection folder, click on the Setup Router button, then follow the steps in the Wizard, put the USB stick in when directed and it loads into memory. You then take that stick to the Router, plug it in to the USB port, wait until the light flashes a few times to show it has uploaded the files, and then do so with each computer as well.

To do this manually, you open your Routers configuration pages in the browser. In your manual you will find an IP address, usually 192.168.1.1 for most, and 192.168.2.1 for Belkin. You type it in exactly like that, and just hit Enter. You must configure everything except your encryption upfront. You wait until you have a connection with at least one computer before setting encryption, otherwise you may have issues getting back to the configuration pages without a working Internet connection. So, be sure your connection works before setting encryption!!

Now, here are several websites where you can find assistance:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/maintain/default.mspx

http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleid=1427&page=1

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/maintain/connections.mspx

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/maintain/troubleshoot.mspx

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/network/bb530679.aspx

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/default.mspx

There is also a great book which helped me emmensely, it is called, "Absolute Beginner's Guide to Home Networking" or something like that, by Mark Edward Soper. It is filled with step by step instructions, and has more information about setting up Xbox or other game consoles, troubleshooting, picking a networking option, such as ethernet wired/wireless, home electrical line, which is very useful for when you just can't use anything else, though you have to bridge the two networks because using powerlines and phonelines/cable are two very seperate network technologies.

Anyway, the book is great and it does not cost much. You can find it at a local book store, or a large electronics store such as Fry's Electronics.

Which IEEE protocol you choose depends upon your finances and your needs. With ethernet wired, or WiFi or 802.11x, you have three choices: 802.11b; 802.11g, and 802.11n. Each is faster with a wider range than the next, with 802.11n in wide use as it is the newest, fastest, and with the widest range, even though it is not yet ratified by the IEEE.

Just note that whichever you choose, if you have one which is slower, the entire network is reduced to that speed. So, go with what is currently in your laptop. If it is b, use b, if it is g, use g, or if you can afford it and want it, start fresh will all 802.11n adapters. Just ensure you also purchase a Router which supports that protocol. Otherwise your Router won't work as the Router has to support at least the highest protocol adapter you install or have installed.

Good luck and sorry this is so long. It is so difficult to explain it all in this sort of forum. However, this should get you off to a good start. If I can do it, anyone can. It isn't that I am stupid, just I get flustered with electronics. I am the technical guru in our family, and yet I know so little!! lol I only learned this stuff in the last two and a half years as I got my first real computer in May of '05. Prior to that date all I ever did on a computer was use the word processor to type up college papers. lol

P.S One last thing, regarding your second desktop:

Your best bet is most likely to use a Wireless adapter with it as well as the laptop. The reason I say this is because it works for us, as our computers were not located were we had wall jack. We would have had to string wires down the hallway, or ceiling, or floor, and that would look funny. Using Wireless for those which were too far from the modem and Router, worked really well for us.

However, you can choose to use Wired and string it however you see fit. Or, you could choose to use HPL-Home Powerline with that computer, though you would have to bridge the two connections. While it isn't really difficult, it also isn't a good choice for a first time setup of a home network. It just confuses the issue all to heck and back. It is up to you, so I thought you should know your options.

You can have two adapters in your computer without issues. Many laptops have two, a wired and a wireless adapter.

You can choose between adding a new adapter to a open bus, exchanging out the wired for a wireless if you don't have an open bus, or use a USB adapter. These are your three basic choices. I went with adding a wireless adapter to an empty bus slot within each computer. Your situation will determine which is right for you.

Answer 2

Yes, but do you currently have an Ethernet from your modem?
if your modem is connected to that first desktop, and that is your only connection, then you might try to invest in a wireless router. The router allows you to connects multiple computers to the same DSL line. The modem connects to the router via the the Ethernet cable to the router. (some allow you to connect an extension from the router to a desktop and have the remainder connected wirelessly) Then you can purchase a wireless card for your laptop and for your desktop. the only problem is that even though both cards essentially do the same task, they are installed and look differently. The laptop card looks like a card, the desktop one will have usually an external antenna.

The links below are only there to help you to recognize what you will need to purchase and not what you need to buy.

Now they also sell modems with wireless router capabilities.

Answer 3

yes, you need a wirelss router unless your internet service provider has already given you a wireless modem. In this case you would just have to input the same information into your desktop and laptop.

There is no maximum amount of computers you can have on a wireless network.

Answer 4

You may have to reconfigure the modem. Some are simple modems, and your PC has to "log on" to the DSL provider. Smarter ones can be set up so the modem logs on for you, then acts as a router for the other PCs you connect to it through an ethernet hub or switch. Even smarter ones already have a wireless radio built in. I have one of those. My cousin had one and didn't even know it. So you need to check out the modem to see if it already has what you need to go wireless. Otherwise you will need to get a wireless router, set it up to log on, then you can connect PCs directly with USB or ethernet, and wirelessly as well. I set up my dad's desktop to use wireless to my brother's wireless network across the street from him.

Answer 5

Yeah you can. As long as your modem is capable to have wireless connection or have a wireless router and then install a wireless card on the computer that you want to setup wirelessly.

Answer 6

Ya u can but u should buy a computer part that goes into a socket beside the video card and the sound card..... u can ask for it in some big electronic shops.

Goodluck ^_^