My first network, some info needed.

Soldato
Joined
7 Mar 2005
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Location
Wolverhampton
Hi guys, im going to be building a network tomorrow and need some help, ive never done it before, only gone as far as building a single pc.

Its my birthday and im getting a laptop ! Nothing special, but id like to have it on wireless, but keeping my pc through a cable (dont want pc connected wireless as well)

Atm i just have a wire coming upstairs into a usb modem. As far as im aware, i need a router, which can connect to my pc and also allow my laptop to connect wireless?

I know i sound confused, any1 able to help me :)

Thanks.
 
Do you have any idear what kind of router / network card i should buy? Im on PIPEX Xtreme 1mb broadband at the mo.

My pc doesnt have a network card, i know this because i built the pc hehe :)

I was looking round shops and seen some router, do i need an ethernet port in my pc? I guess i need to buy an ethernet card? Cant remember if my motherboard has the port.

Also, i take it this laptop is ok, its a ACER AS3682WXMI from a site i cant say:(

Processor speed: 1.6 GHz
Processor: Intel Celeron Mobile
Screen size: 14.1 inches
Storage (hard drive): 40 GB
Memory (RAM): 512 MB
Shared graphics: 224MB (Dont want laptop for high gaming :) )
Media Center xp OS

I can just format it and put xp home on no probs? Laptop should come with all the driver cds? :) laptop also says its got Built-in wireless networking and Wired networking.


This is my setup at the mo, sorry for my paint skillz.

untitledqh3.jpg
 
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Thankyou for the information mate:)

The laptop does say built in wired/wireless networking, does this mean i wont have to buy an ad-on card for it? My new router will connect to it as it is? :)

BTW Pipex is ADSL :)
 
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Thanks, the router you showed me looks nicer! and is cheaper! wayhay!

Just a question about setting up....at the mo i have a phone cable coming out the phone socket into the usb modem. Am i right in thinking this usb modem will be replaced by that router, and my phone cable stays where it is, and slots into the back of my router? Then an ethernet cable going from the router, into the pci network card you showed me ? Then the laptop can connect wireless to the router later ? :)

Hope ive got that right.
 
michael baxter said:

Thanks,

Should i buy the netgear pci network card since the router is a netgear? Or will ** d-link one be fine?

EDIT.

My mobo says its got the following port.

Rear Panel I/O - 1 x RJ45 LAN port
LAN - Realtek RTL8201CL 10/100 Ethernet LAN PHY
- 802.3u, WOL supported

This is ok instead of a network card? :)
 
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I've just bought: -

Belkin Cat5e Network Patch Cable 1m - Grey x 2 (2nd to connect laptop b4 i attempt wireless, and to use as a spare later on )

Linksys WAG354G-UK 4-Port Wireless-G Broadband Modem Router.

Selected to deliver tomorrow for my birthday :)

Thanks for the help, ill be posting pics here and asking for further help on setting up soon :) :) :)

Knowing my luck ill miss the delivery whilst im out buying the laptop haha !
 
This is driving me up the wall :mad:

I plug it in set it all up all lights was on that was ment to be on, the laptop said connected signal strenght exellent but wudnt finish instalation saying cant connect to internet. I unplugged it from my old modem straight into router and the "dsl" light turned on. Wudnt let me connect to internet tho

Some1 suggested i reset it, so i did, and now the power lights just flashing on and off all the time and cant get no connectivity out it.

OH and btw ty ocuk it come full of dust over it, a scratch on the front and no manual, thanks.

Anyway, could any1 help me.
 
oddjob62 said:
Ok that made little sense to me.

You've plugged the router into the phone line, then you've plugged either the PC or the Laptop into the router yes?

Can you connect to the routers config page?

The phone line into back of router, then ethernet cable into the back of the pc. The power light is just flashing on and off, and the network wizard on the cd just says can't detect router. I pressed the reset button its not worked since then.

I did have it working my laptop could connect to it wireless as well, just no internet.

The power icon never used to flash like this, could it be broken :(
 
I used to be able to access router settings through IE but i cant since i hit reset.

This is what shows in network connections

untitledfj7.jpg


If i click repair, it hangs then says cant repair because an ip cant be assigned.

As for "seconds" when i opend the box the plugs and router was FULL of dust, the router has 2 little scratches on it, not very noticable but hey there there ! I was discusted tbh.

According to their trouble shoot site a flashing power LED means corrupt firmware. They say in order to upate firmware i need to type ipconfig/all and get the router ip address to type into the update program they gave me.

Ipconfig/all does not display any ip next to defult gateway, its totally blank. So i cant upgrade firmware.

Could cry i swear, i just cant get it working and it now looks like its broken.
 
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Ive just gone through a troubleshoot with a linksys rep through their online live chat. He couldnt get any connectivity from it and said i should send it back to the shop.

Great, i paid for a new router and they send me a dusty 2nd hand broken one. :mad:
 
Sorry never replied, been too annoyed with OcUK. They still haven't sent my new router and i havent heard from them all week.

My laptops great, not super powerfull as its shared graphics but its fine for my needs:) Nice screen as well, the HD Samples look amazing. They made my mom go "wow" anyway :D

Just hope i get my replacment soon so i can get it online.
 
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