For her Christmas gift, I promised my daughter I would network our computers so that she can get online when I'm online. Last year I bought her a used laptop with Windows 2000 and a wireless card slot. I went to Radio Shack yesterday and was confused, there are several types of wireless cards to get for her laptop and I left with none. I'm trying not to break the bank with this one and get the most expensive, but she will need a card. The cable company is coming the day after Christmas to hook up their bundle -- phone, cable, and internet service. It will save me alot of money over what I am paying now for phone and internet. They said they would bring a wireless modem for networking up to five computers, and that I should have a wireless card for my daughter's computer, but I don't know what to get. Can you advise me? Thanks in advance.
2007-12-22 00:50:30 · 5 answers · asked by Margaret H 3 in Computers & Internet ➔ Computer Networking
yes, Comcast is the company that is coming to do this for me.
2007-12-22 01:06:23 · update #1
if the computer has usb u could get a wireless usb adapter but make sure the standard is correct ... usb1.1 or 2.0 .. other than that u probably need a pcmcia card but again u need to ascertain the slot u have and then probably order from newegg and get it next day shipping ...
http://www.newegg.com/Store/SubCategory.aspx?SubCategory=31&name=Wireless-Adapters
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2007-12-22 00:56:57 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Best Buy, Fry's Electronics, CompUSA - whichever is in your town - would be better alternatives to Radio Shack for computer components - in terms of both price and in staff knowledge.
The others' suggestions for getting a USB adapter for your daughter's laptop are good as long as your daughter's laptop has a USB port, as any USB adapter should work with a Windows 2000 system. Don't spend a lot of money on one - as long as the adapter is 802.11b/g compliant, it will work with any wireless modem that the cable company will be installing. If/when the time comes for your daughter's laptop to be replaced, the new laptop is 99% likely to have it's own wireless adapter built in.
Don't worry about USB 1.1 vs 2.0. Most adapters you buy now will be USB 2.0, but even if the laptop ports are 1.1, they will still work. 2.0 is backward-compatible with 1.1. You also don't need a separate router - the modem will provide the necessary functionality.
Buy the adapter before the cable company arrives to install the modem. When the technician comes to install the modem, he/she will likely set up the wireless connection to be sure that it's working. If not, ask them if they'd be willing to help you with it to be sure it's all OK.
2007-12-22 13:14:43 · answer #2 · answered by Gamma 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I would go to a computer store ie Bestbuy or the like talk to someone that knows. Stay away from radio shack. Do try and buy a compatible router and adapters as one call for tech support is easier than two. Also remember if you call tech support this week you may be on hold for ever as everyone will be calling. Also for help a call to a friend for help they already have gone that route.
Also what your going to need.
1 router.
2 adapters for your computer you want to network .
3 patience lots of it but is should be painless if done right.
2007-12-22 11:23:32 · answer #3 · answered by Flat_out_Bob 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In my opinion I would wait to see what equipment they install then go and buy a wireless card for your daughters laptop. I would also match the card to the type of wireless router they install. Are you having this installed by Comacst?
2007-12-22 09:01:51 · answer #4 · answered by Marc W 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I suggest that you get a wireless USB adapter . They are more portable.
2007-12-22 09:00:31 · answer #5 · answered by Steve k 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋