Shoutbox

Hi there,

I want to set up a 'network' in my house, wirelessly, with a desktop (running Windows 98) and a laptop (running Windows XP). Basically all I want to do is share the broadband internet around the house. What kind of router would I need? Is it possible with different OSs?

You need obviously an Wireless router, and the product should have a cd with instructions and drivers, and yes, it can be used in diffrent OS afaik.

take a look:

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Originally posted by tony
You need obviously an Wireless router

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Not true, you can allways set-up an "ad hoc" network, which means that with 2 wireless adapters, a computer connected to the internet (and a wireless card) and another computer with only the wireless card, can be connected to each other, making possible for both to have internet wirelessly

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Originally posted by nagini
ad hoc.

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Thanks!! I wasn't sure of its name.

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Originally posted by Johny
"had-oc"

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ad hoc.

If you have the router near one of the computers you can connect it directly to the router and buy just one for the other computer. Many new laptops have bulit in wireless cards, check if it has a wireless card.

Also, with the PCs, use the card's utility for 98, and XP's built-in control for XP. Pre-XP SP2 wireless configuration sucks.

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Originally posted by raceprouk
XP's built-in control for XP. Pre-XP SP2 wireless configuration sucks

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Xp's sucks too but not as much. Some cards utilities even give you the wep!

I actually prefer XP SP2's utility to the Realtek one I used to have. Haven't even tried the one for my new card (a Ralink chipset, but still an Edmiax card), as I have no issues with XP SP2's utility.

Thanks for all your comments, any ideas for the most reliable (and sensibly priced) wireless router to use?

EDIT: I want to be able to use the internet on the laptop without relying on the desktop being connected, which is what I think your 'ad-hoc' idea is all about.

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Originally posted by j.g.allen
I want to be able to use the internet on the laptop without relying on the desktop being connected, which is what I think your 'ad-hoc' idea is all about.

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No. If your desktop is the one connected to the internet, using ad-hoc will force you to have it powered on and connected to access the internet through the laptop.. If that's the way you want things to happen (Independent computers) buy a router

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Originally posted by j.g.allen
Thanks for all your comments, any ideas for the most reliable (and sensibly priced) wireless router to use?

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Take a look in your local computer shop, or online.
I have used Linksis and Belkin and they work great.