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LakerFanAlways
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Joined: 18 Dec 2002
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Location: LakerLand USA(Southern California)
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 Posted: Mon Jan 29, 2007 8:43 pm Post subject: Looking To Purchase A Wireless Router |
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| I currently have cable modem, but I have a desktop and laptop and I would like to get a wireless router so that I can have both on a network..I will also be purchasing a printer that has wireless capabilities so I want to be able to have them all integrated..what wireless modem do you all recommend? I have a linksys router but its not wireless |
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uberzev
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Joined: 25 Jan 2002
Posts: 19120
Location: SDSU
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| Posted: Mon Jan 29, 2007 8:55 pm Post subject: |
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Just get whatever is cheapest.
Do you need a wireless card for your desktop and laptop as well? There are package deals.
Latest bargains...
http://www.techbargains.com
(Type Wireless Router in the search box.)
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ocho
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Joined: 24 May 2005
Posts: 54030
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| Posted: Mon Jan 29, 2007 9:08 pm Post subject: |
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i've had problems with every one i've ever had....and i've had multiple brands. linksys isn't bad.
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Bergamotichek
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Joined: 02 Sep 2007
Posts: 16777206
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| Posted: Mon Jan 29, 2007 9:11 pm Post subject: |
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| My 1st Linksys was a piece of crap. It just one day, quit working. My dad actually had an extra one that he gave to us, while we were visiting him, last year. Its worked flawless since installed. Plus, I put one in at my mom's house, that's worked without any problems for 2+ years. |
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ALF
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Joined: 14 Jul 2001
Posts: 331
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| Posted: Mon Jan 29, 2007 9:26 pm Post subject: |
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I just set up a wireless network for my desktop and my laptop. I didn't hook up the printer so I don't have any advice there.
I used a Linksys compact router and I was able to set it up using the linksys website. I didn't have the start-up CD but the website was able to guide me through step by step.
I know nothing about wireless networks yet I was able to set everything up, including security, within 30 minutes.
So far, the linksys works great and I get a strong signal throughout my two story residence. |
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lakez34
Star Player
Joined: 24 Apr 2001
Posts: 6131
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| Posted: Mon Jan 29, 2007 9:27 pm Post subject: |
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Belkin! Cheap and has all the features necessary for a simple home setup.
Not so great with heavy duty port forwarding and other relatively unique situations for a home office. But otherwise no problems. |
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LakerFanAlways
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Joined: 18 Dec 2002
Posts: 21615
Location: LakerLand USA(Southern California)
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| Posted: Mon Jan 29, 2007 9:28 pm Post subject: |
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| ALF wrote: | I just set up a wireless network for my desktop and my laptop. I didn't hook up the printer so I don't have any advice there.
I used a Linksys compact router and I was able to set it up using the linksys website. I didn't have the start-up CD but the website was able to guide me through step by step.
I know nothing about wireless networks yet I was able to set everything up, including security, within 30 minutes.
So far, the linksys works great and I get a strong signal throughout my two story residence. |
What is the model # of the router that you have? |
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LakerFanAlways
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Joined: 18 Dec 2002
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Location: LakerLand USA(Southern California)
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| Posted: Mon Jan 29, 2007 9:31 pm Post subject: |
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| Nope I dont have a wireless card on my desktop..so the only way I can have the desktop work with the router is to get a wireless card..the desktop is about 4 years old..I dont even know if there is even a slot to put a card..also..if I do get a wireless router..would that mean that I would no longer need the linksys cable router that I have..I have a motorola router that came with the Timewarner internet that I have(we get internet and cable tv) I have no clue about wireless routers at all so thats why Im asking so many questions..I also want one that will be of course compatible with Vista..since I already have Vista Business |
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LakerFanAlways
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Joined: 18 Dec 2002
Posts: 21615
Location: LakerLand USA(Southern California)
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| Posted: Mon Jan 29, 2007 9:34 pm Post subject: |
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| my laptop is already with built in wireless..I forgot to mention that in my post |
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Socks
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Joined: 01 Feb 2006
Posts: 10761
Location: Bay Area, CA
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| Posted: Mon Jan 29, 2007 10:58 pm Post subject: |
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| LakerFanAlways wrote: | | Nope I dont have a wireless card on my desktop..so the only way I can have the desktop work with the router is to get a wireless card..the desktop is about 4 years old..I dont even know if there is even a slot to put a card..also..if I do get a wireless router..would that mean that I would no longer need the linksys cable router that I have..I have a motorola router that came with the Timewarner internet that I have(we get internet and cable tv) I have no clue about wireless routers at all so thats why Im asking so many questions..I also want one that will be of course compatible with Vista..since I already have Vista Business |
Yup, you need a wireless card for your desktop.
Not sure what you mean by "linksys cable router" or "motorola router". If there's a cable coming from the cable socket that plugs directly into that then I think what you're talking about is the cable modem and you do need that. Sorry if I'm oversimplifying, just trying to figure out exactly what you're describing.
The wirelss routers shouldn't really have anything to do with Vista. The router just pumps out a wireless signal, so as long as you have something that can receive that signal, operating system doesn't really matter. The operating system just detects your wireless card and Vista should handle that fine. The only concern you need to have is that your wireless card works with Vista. When a new operating system comes out, not all the hardware that exists out there is immediately compliant.
Hope that wasn't too confusing.  |
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LarryCoon
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Joined: 11 Aug 2002
Posts: 11266
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| Posted: Mon Jan 29, 2007 11:32 pm Post subject: |
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| LakerFanAlways wrote: | | Nope I dont have a wireless card on my desktop..so the only way I can have the desktop work with the router is to get a wireless card.. |
Wireless routers also have wired ports. I use a Linksys WRT54G, which is an industry standard, and just fine for almost any home use. My desktop machines are all hooked directly two it (it has four ports), and only my laptop uses it wireless.
Off the top of my head, you want G band routing; you want WPA; and probably a few other things that I can't think of right now.
Have a listen to Steve Gibson's podcasts on NAT routing...you can find them at http://grc.com/securitynow. |
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DancingBarry
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Joined: 07 Sep 2001
Posts: 40223
Location: O.C.
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| Posted: Mon Jan 29, 2007 11:40 pm Post subject: |
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| I've gone through quite a few, all different brands (and prices) over the past several years. Right now, I'm using what Larry has above and it's been pretty much flawless for the past half a year or so. |
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LakerFanAlways
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Joined: 18 Dec 2002
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Location: LakerLand USA(Southern California)
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| Posted: Tue Jan 30, 2007 12:28 am Post subject: |
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| The WRT54G Linksys wireless router was the one that I was checking out online..looks good and is a very reasonable price..what I meant by my motorola cable modem is the modem that Timewarner(actually Adelphia but now Timewarner) gave me in order to go online..I also bought a linksys router so that I can connect my laptop also to the internet..I was thinking that I could keep the desktop getting the ethernet connection since I dont have a wireless card and this computer doesn't have that option and for the laptop I could get the wireless modem so that I could take it anywhere..I haven't decided yet..and yeah I definitely gotta check out Toshiba for updates regarding Vista, I was at their site today and they have a bunch of updates but I have to find out from Toshiba which ones I have to install |
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LarryCoon
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Joined: 11 Aug 2002
Posts: 11266
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| Posted: Tue Jan 30, 2007 7:27 am Post subject: |
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| LakerFanAlways wrote: | | I was thinking that I could keep the desktop getting the ethernet connection since I dont have a wireless card and this computer doesn't have that option and for the laptop I could get the wireless modem so that I could take it anywhere.. |
The configuration you want is the one I have -- from the wall to the cable modem, then from the cable modem to your NAT router. Your desktop machine(s) hard connect to the router, and the laptop(s) use it wirelessly. You have all the advantages -- connectivity, peer to peer networking, printer sharing, and the router acts as a very effective firewall for your entire network. |
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quetalmanolo
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Joined: 14 Nov 2006
Posts: 493
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| Posted: Tue Jan 30, 2007 10:26 am Post subject: |
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| I use DLink. Works great for me... I have my desktop connected directly to the router (wired)... and an apple notebook, a laptop, xbox360, and Wii all getting excellent wireless signal... Just make sure that the router you're getting 802.11 A/B/G compatible... so that almost every electronics that pick up wireless signal are compatible with your router. |
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Melon Tea
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Joined: 14 Feb 2006
Posts: 1528
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| Posted: Tue Jan 30, 2007 7:45 pm Post subject: |
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| netgear is trash don't buy anything from netgear |
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shnjb
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Joined: 08 Oct 2002
Posts: 13320
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| Posted: Tue Jan 30, 2007 9:09 pm Post subject: |
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It's just a wireless router.
You can get one for 20 bucks and can return if it doesn't work.
I mean come on. |
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uberzev
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Joined: 25 Jan 2002
Posts: 19120
Location: SDSU
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| Posted: Tue Jan 30, 2007 9:15 pm Post subject: |
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| shnjb wrote: | It's just a wireless router.
You can get one for 20 bucks and can return if it doesn't work.
I mean come on. |
Exactly. To say one brand is trash is rediculious. They're all just commodity electronics that most likely will be obsolete before they fail anyway.
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ALF
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Joined: 14 Jul 2001
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| Posted: Thu Feb 01, 2007 1:23 am Post subject: |
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| LakerFanAlways wrote: | | ALF wrote: | I just set up a wireless network for my desktop and my laptop. I didn't hook up the printer so I don't have any advice there.
I used a Linksys compact router and I was able to set it up using the linksys website. I didn't have the start-up CD but the website was able to guide me through step by step.
I know nothing about wireless networks yet I was able to set everything up, including security, within 30 minutes.
So far, the linksys works great and I get a strong signal throughout my two story residence. |
What is the model # of the router that you have? |
WRT54GC |
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quetalmanolo
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Joined: 14 Nov 2006
Posts: 493
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| Posted: Thu Feb 01, 2007 9:35 am Post subject: |
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| When you set up your wireless network, make sure you put a password. Otherwise, people that are close enough, could pick up your network signal, and steal your internet, or worse, get access to your private files. Just a warning. |
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Socks
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Joined: 01 Feb 2006
Posts: 10761
Location: Bay Area, CA
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| Posted: Thu Feb 01, 2007 11:00 am Post subject: |
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| quetalmanolo wrote: | | When you set up your wireless network, make sure you put a password. Otherwise, people that are close enough, could pick up your network signal, and steal your internet, or worse, get access to your private files. Just a warning. |
Encryption =  |
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aFFie
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| Posted: Thu Feb 01, 2007 12:14 pm Post subject: |
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| I love me my 2wire |
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buduan
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Joined: 24 Feb 2002
Posts: 773
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| Posted: Thu Feb 01, 2007 9:37 pm Post subject: |
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| LakerFanAlways wrote: | | Nope I dont have a wireless card on my desktop..so the only way I can have the desktop work with the router is to get a wireless card..the desktop is about 4 years old..I dont even know if there is even a slot to put a card..also..if I do get a wireless router..would that mean that I would no longer need the linksys cable router that I have..I have a motorola router that came with the Timewarner internet that I have(we get internet and cable tv) I have no clue about wireless routers at all so thats why Im asking so many questions..I also want one that will be of course compatible with Vista..since I already have Vista Business |
You can get a wireless card that plugs into a USB port. |
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chef
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Joined: 04 Feb 2003
Posts: 5360
Location: Honda full of Silver
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| Posted: Thu Feb 01, 2007 10:13 pm Post subject: |
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| I am happy with my NETGEAR |
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