newbie to wireless network

  • Thread starter Thread starter steve church
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steve church

I'm trying to get two PCs to share the internet. My main PC is running XP
SP2 and is connected to broadband with a Speedtouch USB modem. The remote PC
is running Windows ME. At the moment I have tried to install a couple of
802.11b radio boards .These are 'generic' boards but the setup disc has
'Qband network' printed on it. I have set them up using the instructions
supplied and have had limited success (on occasion being able to share
files). I'm not confident enough in the stability of the system to try
internet sharing yet. Two questions:
1. Can anyone tell me if there is an idiots guide to enable me to get
internet sharing going on the remote PC.

2. If I change to a wireless modem/router (like the DG834G) will life be a
little easier and can I use the existing 802.11b cards (I know this router
is 802.11g). Would I be better using a wired system and ditch the wireless
network cards.

These may seem basic questions but the Windows help documents look a
minefield.
Thanks,

Steve
 
steve said:
I'm trying to get two PCs to share the internet. My main PC is running XP
SP2 and is connected to broadband with a Speedtouch USB modem. The remote PC
is running Windows ME. At the moment I have tried to install a couple of
802.11b radio boards .These are 'generic' boards but the setup disc has
'Qband network' printed on it. I have set them up using the instructions
supplied and have had limited success (on occasion being able to share
files). I'm not confident enough in the stability of the system to try
internet sharing yet. Two questions:
1. Can anyone tell me if there is an idiots guide to enable me to get
internet sharing going on the remote PC.

2. If I change to a wireless modem/router (like the DG834G) will life be a
little easier and can I use the existing 802.11b cards (I know this router
is 802.11g). Would I be better using a wired system and ditch the wireless
network cards.

These may seem basic questions but the Windows help documents look a
minefield.
Thanks,

Steve
Click to expand...
If there's no issue with running cable, a wired router is by far the
easiest and most secure. With a router of either type, you don't have to
have the PC with the modem on to connect with the other. Wireless is
more convenient if one PC is a laptop, or running cable is out of the
question, but you do have security issues to worry about. Sharing by
wireless is less secure than sharing with ethernet, and also requires
the sharing PC to be on for the client to access the internet.
I think the site you want to refer to is praticallynetworked.com (or
something like that).
 
steve church said:
I'm trying to get two PCs to share the internet. My main PC is running XP
SP2 and is connected to broadband with a Speedtouch USB modem. The remote
PC is running Windows ME. At the moment I have tried to install a couple
of 802.11b radio boards .These are 'generic' boards but the setup disc has
'Qband network' printed on it. I have set them up using the instructions
supplied and have had limited success (on occasion being able to share
files). I'm not confident enough in the stability of the system to try
internet sharing yet. Two questions:
1. Can anyone tell me if there is an idiots guide to enable me to get
internet sharing going on the remote PC.

2. If I change to a wireless modem/router (like the DG834G) will life be a
little easier and can I use the existing 802.11b cards (I know this router
is 802.11g). Would I be better using a wired system and ditch the wireless
network cards.

These may seem basic questions but the Windows help documents look a
minefield.
Thanks,

Steve
Click to expand...

I had the exact same set up you describe except that the client PC was on
Win 98se. I did eventually get it running but the client would suddenly
lose its connection and need a reboot. In the end I bought a crossover
patch lead and wired them together. Now works fine and the wireless units
are in the drawer unused. The biggest problem I had setting up both the
wireless and wired versions was with firewalls. I now use Zonealarm Pro on
the host and the free version of Zonealarm on the client (the free version
does not permit ICS when installed on the host). I also found that the XP
service pack 2 firewall scuppered it so that is turned off.
 
Thanks for that. I've got the free version of Zone Alarm on the host
(nothing on the client yet) so that must be why I can' get the system
working. I have got the client to access files on the host but not vice
cersa even though both ends recognise a connection. I can now stop banging
my head against a wall and maybe go for a cable, even though this means
trying to run down the wall cavity!!

I've turned off the XP firewall as I am using Z.A. and put the wireless
network into the 'trusted' section.

Steve
 
steve said:
Thanks for that. I've got the free version of Zone Alarm on the host
(nothing on the client yet) so that must be why I can' get the system
working. I have got the client to access files on the host but not vice
cersa even though both ends recognise a connection. I can now stop banging
my head against a wall and maybe go for a cable, even though this means
trying to run down the wall cavity!!
Click to expand...
Just so you know, cat5 cable is available in a type that allows it to be
installed in the heating vents, if running it through a cold air return
makes it easier.
 
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