NationStates Jolt Archive

I don't know much about networking, but I want to be able to get an internet connection for my Laptop, and if possible my PSP and Xbox 360...anyone know what I should be doing, what I should buy etc?

btw My computer is wired...

I don't know much about networking, but I want to be able to get an internet connection for my Laptop, and if possible my PSP and Xbox 360...anyone know what I should be doing, what I should buy etc?

btw My computer is wired...

Don't have internet access.
Then you'll be wireless.

Seriously, though, you need a wireless router and a wireless network card to plug into your laptop if it doesn't have it built in.

I assume you have cable/dsl internet and you have a cable modem?

Don't buy the Belkin wireless equipment. My roommate and I had major problems with connecting, and staying connected with that junk. I ended up buying a Linksys router and wireless card (I went with Wireless G, because N wasn't out yet), and am much more impressed with my connection stability.

For starters though, you'll need a router, and a wireless card for your laptop (you could probably hook up your 360 to one of the wired ports in the back of the router). Follow the instructions for both the router and the wireless card, and you should be fine. As far as the PSP, since I don't have a working one, I can't really comment on how to set that up.

My laptop has built in Wifi, It's my desktop thats wired...so it needs a wireless card then, right?

I assume you have cable/dsl internet and you have a cable modem?

yep

I don't know much about the whole PC thing, but I do have a wireless router and an Xbox 360 and a PSP. I got a Linksys Wireless G router for pretty cheap, and it works fantastically. PSP's got wireless built into it so you're good there. As for the 360, I personally have it plugged in to the router via ethernet cable. They do make a wireless adapter for it, but the thought of dropping $100 on it didn't sit too well with me. Of course, since I work at a video game store, I feel obligated to say if you find a used one you can save some cash, and the used ones we've sold from my store specifically have worked just fine.

My laptop has built in Wifi, It's my desktop thats wired...so it needs a wireless card then, right?

Well, it depends on which one you want wireless.

Both, get a wireless card for your desktop.

Just the laptop, just get a wireless router and set up a wireless network, which is easy enough.

I can't see any point in getting wireless for a desktop in any case, though.

Your lappy probably has a wireless card in it. Check the box it came in.
If it has a Wireless-A card, you need to buy a new card. Most places don't sell Wireless-A routers anymore.
Otherwise, just buy the same letter wireless router as your card is.
You may have a hard time finding a Wireless-B router, but lots of Wireless-G routers are backwards compatible with B. Make sure it says "compatible with wireless B cards", if you have a B card.

If you have to buy a card and a router, get a G card & router. You may see a slick poster showing that N or Super-G is faster, but G is already going to be 5-10 times faster than your internet connection (assuming you have high speed cable), so buying a N setup over a G is not going to make a difference.

Then take your ethernet cable out of your computer, and plug it into the in port of your router (there will likely be four out ports and one in port). Then take the provided ethernet cable, and connect it from an out port to your computer. There should be a leaflet (or they could even print in on the bottom of the router) that says an IP address. Open a web browser, and type the IP address in. You will have to login, and the leaflet will say the account and the password. Then enable wireless, set a network name, and a WEP (network password).

Read the wireless card's instructions for setting it up (if you bought new), otherwise you should just be able to select the network manager (in the system tray) and select the network you want.

my router (recommended to me by PM) is made by Netgear and is very good and totally reliable. it was incredibly simple to install too.

Don't buy the Belkin wireless equipment. My roommate and I had major problems with connecting, and staying connected with that junk.
Yeah, I've got Belkin too, and it's a nightmare trying to set it up. I'd disagree in that once connected, it's been pretty stable, but trying to get it working in the first place takes forever. And, if I have to reinstall it all for some reason, it never connects in the same way that I made it work before.

Thanx ALL

my router (recommended to me by PM) is made by Netgear and is very good and totally reliable. it was incredibly simple to install too.

Which one is it? I'm living at home over the summer, so need to set up a network here.

dont forget to enable your encryption key
not the WEP one.. the other one (WPA?)

also... "Network Magic" is nice and easy

Yeah, I've got Belkin too, and it's a nightmare trying to set it up. I'd disagree in that once connected, it's been pretty stable, but trying to get it working in the first place takes forever. And, if I have to reinstall it all for some reason, it never connects in the same way that I made it work before.


The problem I had was, even after following the directions multiple times, internet help/FAQs/troubleshooting (in the few minutes I could get a connection, before it inexplicably stopped working again), and tech support via the phone, I couldn't get it set up. I exchanged the router and wireless adapter for the same models, and it was no better.

The Linksys router and wireless adapters were infinitely easier to set up, connect, and stay connected by comparison.

dont forget to enable your encryption key
not the WEP one.. the other one (WPA?)

also... "Network Magic" is nice and easy

WPA and WPAII

Note with some consoles they have issues with WPA Enterprise options, even though they are "supported"

The biggest one though (and it is not listed in the OP) is the WII the built in card was released without following standards and blows, though you can purchase a plug in wireless adapter and then have those more secure forms of WPA (probably wont see an issue but it is a possibility)

Start pulling the wires out of your electronic equipment and make a big pile of them, then sacrifice them to Cthulu.

Netgear makes some fine routers... Dunno about the PSP, but my Wii and laptop work flawlessly with the router I got. I had som inital trouble setting the port forwarding up and I had to reset the router and upgrade the firmware, which was a bit daunting until I got the hang of it.

I don't know much about networking, but I want to be able to get an internet connection for my Laptop, and if possible my PSP and Xbox 360...anyone know what I should be doing, what I should buy etc?

btw My computer is wired...

I CAN HELP YOU!

Don't go wireless.

:P I hate it, it sucks...then again I do have really cheap ass equipment.