Wireless network cards

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S

species8350

Hi,

I own a Dell pc and want to make use of a wireless connection that
will soon be available in my house.

I think that I will need to install a wireless adapter card in the pc,
and wonder if this could effect the warranty of the PC (based in UK).

Any thoughts?

Ps. Any recommndations for a good network card, and the price,
available in the UK.

Thanks
 
species8350 said:
Hi,

I own a Dell pc and want to make use of a wireless connection that
will soon be available in my house.

I think that I will need to install a wireless adapter card in the pc,
and wonder if this could effect the warranty of the PC (based in UK).

Any thoughts?

Ps. Any recommndations for a good network card, and the price,
available in the UK.

Thanks
Click to expand...

Installing a network card _shouldn't_ affect your warranty but if you are
nervous about it you could always buy on of the external adapters which
plugs into a free USB port. It seems that all of the main players have one
and most, if not all of them, should be available in the UK. Example:
http://www.linksysbycisco.com/US/en/products/WUSB300N
 
You do not say desktop or notebook or how far you are from the router.

here is a good dealer with plenty of options.

http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/prods/Networking-Wireless/

D Link PCI cards have served me well for desktops and Intel for my
Notebooks. Buy mid priced. Get one with an extension aerial if you are well
away from the router.

USB are OK but they do take up what could be a wanted port.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the responses.

I use a desktop pc

I will be one floor up from the router (in a house).

Regarding the aerial, is it fixed to the card?
How far does it extend the range?
Does it help the signal at all distances?
Is it better to have one anyway?

If I am using a wireless connection, how would I know that I am
connecting to my router, and not someone elses

As a newbie, I should check my understanding of how the wireless
connection works. Does it simply make a radio type connection with the
router (hopefully mine)?

Thanks for any help.

Best wishes

S.

Ps. I'll have a look at the links
 
You do not say desktop or notebook or how far you are from the router.

here is a good dealer with plenty of options.

http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/prods/Networking-Wireless/

D Link PCI cards have served me well for desktops and Intel for my
Notebooks. Buy mid priced. Get one with an extension aerial if you are well
away from the router.

USB are OK but they do take up what could be a wanted port.
Click to expand...

Just looked at Novatech - what a great site
 
He seems to be referring to one which is connected to the
card by a cable, so it is away from the back of the
(relatively) large metal case which blocks some signal
paths.


That depends on several factors like how much background
noise in the same RF specturm, how long the connecting cable
is (use the shortest one you can to locate it where you want
it), the quality of the cable, the strength of the signal.
There is no easy answer.


Some have the potential to do so, but being only one floor
up in a residential building, unless there is also a large
horizontal distance, you will probably have sufficient
signal without an external wired antenna, providing you have
at least an average quality wifi card and router.
Click to expand...


Ok, I should get a decent card. Can I judge this by price. What is a
reasonable price (UK pounds)
Depends on who you ask.  If you had trouble getting a strong
signal it is one attempt to improve it, but some people
don't like any more wires and dongled things coming from
their PC than necessary.

If you don't mind wires and have even more free desk space
something that is typically an even better solution is to
buy a router that can be configured in bridge mode, and
connect that to the PC via ethernet cable.  That way there
is no signal loss over an extension cable and the antenna
system in a router is usually better than in a PCI /PCIe
wifi network card.  Downside is they tend to cost a bit
more... not a lot, not even any more necessarily if you
spend the time to find a sale price on one, but they can
take a few minutes and basic networking ability to set up in
bridge mode (one with a decent manual should provide
step-by-step instructions).
Click to expand...

I do mind wires, very little free space (actually none). The router
bought will be someone else's decision. I have permission to connect.

I would like everything in the case (out of the way)
Because you gave your router a unique name and see that in
the available access point screen.  You can also use a
browser to access the webpage of a typical router and it
will list the connected systems, at least by MAC address.
You can get the mac address for your PC by doing (assuming
it's windows) a command prompt then typing  "ipconfig /all"
and it will list all network adapters including the
corresponding mac addresses.
Click to expand...

You can tell, I have never done this before. When it is set-up, I will
need to find its name.
Access Point Screen. I assume that this will be activated on card/
router set-up? Same with browser facility?

I did an ipconfig/all

Could not see the word MAC

I noted that IP Routing is set to 'no'. I assume that this confirms
that I do not have a wireless routing card fitted. Am I correct?
Yes it's a radio connection, but for most purposes (besides
setting encryption for security's sake, picking between
available access points and inputting a password) it appears
just as it would if you had a wired ethernet card.
Click to expand...

Not familiar with wired ethernet card?
Yes that is a good idea, there are lots of networking
tutorials online these days, and most major branded network
cards and/or routers will also provide some instruction on
general setup of any router as well as unique settings for
that particular device.
Click to expand...


Thank you for taking so much time to answer my questions

Best wishes

S
 
Ok, I should get a decent card. Can I judge this by price. What is a
reasonable price (UK pounds)










I do mind wires, very little free space (actually none). The router
bought will be someone else's decision. I have permission to connect.

I would like everything in the case (out of the way)





You can tell, I have never done this before. When it is set-up, I will
need to find its name.
Access Point Screen. I assume that this will be activated on card/
router set-up? Same with browser facility?

I did an ipconfig/all

Could not see the word MAC

I noted that IP Routing is set to 'no'. I assume that this confirms
that I do not have a wireless routing card fitted. Am I correct?





Not familiar with wired ethernet card?





Thank you for taking so much time to answer my questions

Best wishes

S- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -
Click to expand...

Forgot to check.

I think I might fit this card before the router arrives (to be ready).
I assume that this will not cause a problem?

Are they easy to fit?

Thanks again.
 
species8350 said:
I did an ipconfig/all

Could not see the word MAC
Click to expand...

Look for "physical address". That is the MAC (media access controller)
address, which is an identifier unique to each device. Well, sort of, it
can be changed, but it is supposed to be unique anyway.

Jon
 
Look for "physical address".  That is the MAC (media access controller)
address, which is an identifier unique to each device.  Well, sort of, it
can be changed, but it is supposed to be unique anyway.

Jon
Click to expand...

Thanks jon

It's under Tunnel Adpater Local Area Connection

Media disconnected

It gives a description for the adapter

The physical address is given as lots of 00 ........E0

Autoconfig enabled

Thanks

Ps. Does fitting a card affect the warranty of the pc - hope not
 
Forgot to check.

I think I might fit this card before the router arrives (to be ready).
I assume that this will not cause a problem?

Are they easy to fit?

Thanks again.

Yes, you can preinstall and its very easy.

1. Power down.
2. Switch off at mains but leave plug in socket for earthing.
3. Remove case.
4. Touch a metal part of the case to ensure you are not charged up.
4. Install PCI card in free slot.
5. Replace case.
6. Switch on and power up.

Windows will now recognise the New Hardware and be looking for a driver so
pop in the driver disc that came with the card and browse to it or it may
auto start. Anyway read the instructions that came with it to be sure. The
card will also come with its own app software this can be used or you can
use Windows own (I do)- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -
Click to expand...

A very clear description

Thanks

Ps. Is Windows own preinstalled under Vista?
 
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