PC and wireless numpty question

[Fnaar]

Hi all
I want to re-vamp things computer-wise at home, and get laptop in addition to PC. PC currently has plug-in modem thingy (to use a technical term) and I can connect wirelessly to this for internet on my mobile. I once tried to connect a friend's laptop wirelessly, but we failed miserably... (got lost in terminology).
What I want to do is this... get new broadband provider (getting sorted on this) and connect PC wirelessly to net, plus any laptops that come into house (to connect to internet wirelessly too).

So my real question is this: how do I find out (easily) if my PC CAN connect wirelessly? (e.g. through looking at system properties to see if it has the necessaries... )

 

[matc]

I think 'we' need a tad more information. Before that though, it's pretty unlikely that your PC will be able to connect wirelessly. You could add a card to provide WiFi connectivity, of course, but I don't think that will turn out to be necessary ... for now, unless there is a (hinged) WiFi antenna sticking out the back of your PC, then no, your PC will not connect wirelessly.

currently has plug-in modem thingy (to use a technical term) and I can connect wirelessly to this for internet on my mobile.

... doesn't really add up. The 'thingy' - does it plug into your PC via a USB cable, and then there's a 'phoneline from the thingy to your 'phone socket? Or is there a network cable (the plug will not be USB) going from your PC, to the thingy?

I ask because it sounds like your thingy may well be a modem and WiFi router all-in-one, and you already have all the kit you will likely need.

Is the thingy a box with various sockets ... does it have a name?

 

[Fnaar]

I ask because it sounds like your thingy may well be a modem and WiFi router all-in-one, and you already have all the kit you will likely need.

Is the thingy a box with various sockets ... does it have a name?

Thanks. Yes, it's a modem and wi-fi router, but plugged in to PC with a yellow cable (if that helps) and also into phone line. It's a Thompson speedtouch 780.... HOWEVER... In changing broadband provider, I'll get a new modem/router, which I want to position elsewhere (near main phone connection... PC is currently plugged into an extension) so that wi-fi signal (e.g. for laptops elsewhere in house) will be better... PC will have to stay where it is, and therefore will need to receive signal wirelssly (I guess) in same way as laptop will.... need to find out if PC is capable of this... there isn't a wi-fi antenna sticking out of PC... so I guess I'll need to get summat... help gratefully received... cheers

 

[Bman]

Why would you want to have your pc connected wirelessly?

The only reason I can see is if your changing BB provider, your new BB connection may not be near your PC and installing cable is not possible?

Wireless is never as good as wired. I would suggest you leave your PC wired and leave wireless for your laptop/phone.

I assume the "plug in modem thingy" is a wireless router. Otherwise I dont know how you've connected your phone. As matc says check the back of your pc for an aeriel. If it doesnt have one, they're not expensive.

But If a computer needs to be plugged into the wall to work, you may as well have it plugged into the network (router) as well.

 

[Bman]

Yup, perfectly understandable to position the wireless router where you get the best signal.

However, If possible I would suggest getting a cable for your PC to use. Going to wireless from wired in would be a compromise. You would be downgrading the connection quality of the PC, for better connectivity on the laptop.

A network cable would be cheaper than a PCI wireless card anyway

 

[matc]

What Bongman says about wired vs wireless is correct, pretty much. If your PC really will be that far from your router/access point, then yes, get a PC wireless card (Amazon will have dozens). Best to get one made by the manufacturer of your new router, to avoid compatibility issues, and make sure it supports the 'type' of WiFi you'll be getting (most likely 'N', but may just be 'G').

One last option, except I don't know what it's called there. Here it's called 'powerline ethernet' and effectively uses your home electrical wiring as network cabling. Plug one of these adapters in near your router, connect from it to your router, and then, in theory, you'll have network access available through all electrical sockets in your house (using a second adapter).

Here home wiring is mono-phase, whereas UK is all three-phase (?), and that may cause issues, but last time I looked it was getting mature as a technology. No WiFi hassles for your PC, no need to route new cables either.
All said and done though, I used a WiFi card in a PC for a year or two, no real problems that I can recall.

 

[Bman]

No, in UK houses we have 3-pin plugs running Single-Phase, not 3-phase

Easy mistake to make though

 

[matc]

No, in UK houses we have 3-pin plugs running Single-Phase, not 3-phase

Right. Something's nagging me about different wiring systems though (sorry, going OT here, possibly) - something to do with ring wiring, different 'circuits' as it were. Never mind, just rambling.

 

[rh100]

Right. Something's nagging me about different wiring systems though (sorry, going OT here, possibly) - something to do with ring wiring, different 'circuits' as it were. Never mind, just rambling.

single phase in homes, using a ring main for sockets.

 

[rh100]

Hi all
I want to re-vamp things computer-wise at home, and get laptop in addition to PC. PC currently has plug-in modem thingy (to use a technical term) and I can connect wirelessly to this for internet on my mobile. I once tried to connect a friend's laptop wirelessly, but we failed miserably... (got lost in terminology).
What I want to do is this... get new broadband provider (getting sorted on this) and connect PC wirelessly to net, plus any laptops that come into house (to connect to internet wirelessly too).

So my real question is this: how do I find out (easily) if my PC CAN connect wirelessly? (e.g. through looking at system properties to see if it has the necessaries... )

Yup, perfectly understandable to position the wireless router where you get the best signal.

However, If possible I would suggest getting a cable for your PC to use. Going to wireless from wired in would be a compromise. You would be downgrading the connection quality of the PC, for better connectivity on the laptop.

A network cable would be cheaper than a PCI wireless card anyway

unless you have an extremely fast broadband connection, then the quality of the wifi has no bearing. this is because the average broadband speed is much lower than the average wifi speed. Broadband speeds at maybe upto 10mbits, thats the speed of the oldest wifi standard, which is 'b', 'g' runs at 54mbits and certain ones run at 108 and beyond. Off the top of my head i can't remember what speed 'n' runs at, but MIMO routers use multiple aerials to bounce the signal in different directions to increase the data thoughput and also increase the useable range, someone can maybe correct the details but thats roughly right. So what it means is that connecting any pc/laptop via wifi or cable makes no difference, because your wifi speed is more than fast enough to cope with the 'internet' signal. It does make a difference when transferring data between pc's, as this will utilize the full 100mbit that the cable can provide (compared to 54mbit minus overheads from wireless), so when talking between pc's the wifi link has the slower link.

So, put the router where you like, anything connected wirelessly will have full internet speed. Unless you have a big house and the signal degrades too much. In a standard 3 bed semi there is no real problem, i can see wifi networks from down the street.

Making your desktop pc wireless needs an internal card with aerial, which involves opening up the case, or using a USB dongle type which tend to be crap. laptops tend to be better with wifi as they are built with it in mind. With that in mind - i would agree that using the cable to the PC is best as it keeps it simpler.

 

[Fnaar]

Thanks folks for your considered and informative answers... very helpful indeed. I'll prob go for router in the hallway by main phone connection, run a cable to back room where PC is. We have a tall 3 storey house, and currently (with router in back room on same desk as PC) can't get wifi signal on top floor of house (which is where we most want it... )

 

[Piemaster]

Fnaar, if you really want the wireless option for the pc I've got a Belkin 'g' rated card at in the loft doing nothing. Yours for P&P and what ever you feel is an appropriate donation to charity.
I used it for a bit before moving router to loft running cables in to it the for printer, xbox, pc, etc.

 

[Fnaar]

Fnaar, if you really want the wireless option for the pc I've got a Belkin 'g' rated card at in the loft doing nothing. Yours for P&P and what ever you feel is an appropriate donation to charity.
I used it for a bit before moving router to loft running cables in to it the for printer, xbox, pc, etc.

Thank you master of the pie... reading replies above though, I'll prob go for the cable option I mentioned before.... be interested to know more about your loft set up, though...

 

[Piemaster]

The wireless router sits in the loft on the end of a phone extension (I know it would be better on the master socket but don't want it in the lounge). Attached to it in loft is a linksys Linkstation (NAS - networked hard drive) with photos and music on it.
Network goes to desktop pc and network printer in spare room. Also xbox360 and a now more or less disused XBOX (original one) in spare room.
Also an XBOX in lounge (1st gen). Both 1st gen xbox have been chipped and run xbox media centre so are used as media players, dragging music off the NAS.
If you've added them up there are more cables than in the 4 port router so one port is used to connect a simple hub to for expansion.
Wireless look after everything else (PSP, ipod touch, nintendo DS, Wii, laptop, G1 phone and probably other things I can't remember at moment)
Yup, loft is a bit of a rats nest as its grown like that rather than being planned, but works well enough.

 

[snakehips]

single phase in homes, using a ring main for sockets.

Typically houses have a separate ring main on each floor. Can devices on different floors/ring mains communicate with each other using this technology ?

Snake

My Library