My mom got a new wireless router that I am setting up for her. Set-up is Cable Modem, plus a desktop, plus the wireless router for her laptops. The desktop doesn't have a nic card (i took it and havent ever brought it back yet) however she has a linksys usb thing that converts the end of a cat5 cable into a usb.. (if that makes sense... sorry was up all night doing turkey- no sleep) Anyways that is busted and doesn't work well- and always comes lose and ends up being a disaster. SO MY QUESTION- Can I take the cable modem- and use the USB plug on the back of it and connect it to the desktop and at the same time use the cat plug in the back of it and hook that up with the wireless router? When I tried it- the laptop shows that is see's the netgear router and is connected- but can't connect to anything with the laptop. Im connected to the web w/ the desktop- so that part is working- also if i open a browser on the desktop and try to log into the router i get cannot find server
2007-11-22 02:45:25 · 7 answers · asked by Amy Clark 5 in Computers & Internet ➔ Computer Networking
You really need to hook up the cable modem straight into the wireless router, then..from the wireless router into the desktop~
Install your software on the desktop for the wireless router.
The laptop will pick up or sync to the signal from the wireless router.
I would say, give your mother back her nic card~! You don't need it once you go wireless~! Assuming, your laptop has the wireless built into it..
Remember the old saying..KISS..(Keep it simple Stupid)..:)
Good luck~!
2007-11-22 02:55:59 · answer #1 · answered by vovo 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Nearly all cable modems (and DSL modems, for that matter) have both USB and RJ45 ports on them. However, only one of these two ports can be used at a time.
It would be very easy to install a NIC for the desktop PC and then run a CAT5 cable from the router to the desktop PC. Then the wireless would work just fine (that's the setup I've got in my home).
2007-11-22 02:53:00 · answer #2 · answered by BillH 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
First the use of USB connections are very poor at best. It is reccommended you always use one of the Ethernet Cables to connect.
Get the little Yellow phamplet that came with the Netgear Router, it gives you a step by step on how to connect and use the Routers utility.
You must connect from your ISP's Modem to the WAN port on the netgear router. Next you must connect any hard wired computer to the other ports on the router these are LAN ports.
Take you time and read the yellow phamplet.
http://compnetworking.about.com/cs/basicnetworking/f/whatsnetworking.htm
Don
2007-11-22 03:06:33 · answer #3 · answered by Don M 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, you can plug the wireless router to the modem, then plug the desktop straight to the router. The wireless connection will still work and you'll have both hosts(PCs) connected in the network.
As for the NIC, you'll need to get one or a new USB wifi reciever for it.
2007-11-22 02:54:00 · answer #4 · answered by lenfantdezappa 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The signal path should be: Incoming signal to the modem. Modem to router via cat5. Router to the desk top via cat5.
Install router software to desk top. Set up router making sure that it's antenna is turned on.
If the desk top computer does not have a NIC card or a WIFI card, purchase one and install it. NIC card are only about $10.
2007-11-22 03:07:17 · answer #5 · answered by Ron M 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It normally does not work to connect to the modem by usb and network cable. You need to fit a network card to her machine for reliable service, then ALL the machines must use the router.
2007-11-22 03:00:31 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
try this site>http://lifehacker.com/software/wifi/geek-to-live-set-up-a-home-wireless-network-162754.php
2007-11-22 02:53:05 · answer #7 · answered by slickyy7 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋