Tell me what I need to know about wireless connection & multiple PCs

[SlightlyMadSpringBunny]

Thinking of getting a laptop.

Currently only have a PCR which has a wire running to the modem which runs to teh phone line. That is all I know. Tell me what I would need to do if I get a laptop (as an additional PC).

I know I need a wireless router but that is it. Do I go to PC world get (a random) one, take it home press a few buttons and start surfing? Do I need to do anything with my AOL subscription?

Please tell me everything I need to know

So does anyone out there using a laptop on a wireless connection actually 'understand' how t do it?

I don't envy you this task. I know no geeky stuff at all but I do know that dh bought a 2nd home PC recently and spent several evenings getting the two to talk to each other, be able to access e-mail on the 2nd, etc etc and then he bought a laptop and spent more evenings getting them all sorted. He bought the things he needed on e-bay or the net as he is buys things for far less than the shop you mentioned. Sorry if that is of no help whatsoever! Good luck.

You need a wireless router - Lynksys or Netgear seem to be the popular ones available. There is some work needed to set the router up - you have to put in some information in about AOL in order for it to set up. But it is not hugely complicated. If all else fails then with Lynksys they have a tech help number and they will walk you through the whole installation. Once it is set up then the other computers will, if they are wireless ready, automatically connect when you switch them on.

As to AOL, I assume you have broadband already so there is nothing you need to change on your subscription. If you buy a Lynksys or Netgear wifi router they won't give you any tech support for it as they provide their own wireless routers when you upgrade to either Gold (I think) or Platinum service.

HTH

Hmmm...so is being able to MN from the sofa where I can see the telly more hastle than its worth then.....

oh and I would actually buy from the aforemention shop....ever again...just needed an example to quote...

TY SOS.

Doesn't sound that bad then....

I recently rejected a wireless router after an argument with AOL over pricing stucture...I don't think I am entitled to change for 12m now. And they have scrapped their gold service.

So are all wireless routers compatible with all providers? Do I have to tell them so I can use it? Or does my bandwidth automatically get shared as appropriate?

I wasn't planning on getting a laptop then until I saw they are cheaper than I thought - and I can get them at 1/2 high street price .

its worth buying a laptop with built in wireless in my opinion then buy a wireless router you can stiil hard wire your main pc to the internet and your laptop will search automatically for all networks in range

when you buy a laptop if it now has vista you are better of buying netgear or like they are more expensive but are much easier to connect

I have a philips wireless router more tricky to get up and running and for some reason doesnt let my moms vista laptop connect!!

if you dont have a built in wireless you have to buy a dongle which comes with most routers that plugs into your usb port on the laptop

Half high street price

My router is Netgear and although I have had problems they seem to be the laptop rather than the router.The helpline are very good too, only problem is they are in India adn don't understand me

I'm running a Dell router with a Dell laptop and also an iBook (Apple). I had to configure the Dell (which wasn't complicated) but the iBook is wireless ready, so it was just a case of turning it on, finding the network and entering the password.

What sort of laptop are you getting? And you might need a USB adaptor if your modem doesn't have an ethernet port (squarish hole on the back, with a little network symbol - looks like this ).

Make sure you encrypt your network, or anyone can piggyback your connection!

Don't know what I am getting yet. I can only get them once a year (thru work). I can get them about half high street price but they are usually highish spec, so I won't save as much as i would if I could get the cheapest high street model half price IYSWIM. Can't get the perfirals cheap tho .

Just my luck - they won't do anything suitable this year...

I am just trying to work out everything else that I will need in advance...

anyway my laptop is really bugging me this w/e has kicked me off the internet 5 times today!