Wireless Networking

[Gavin Yates]

<font color='#000F22'>Firstly, if I've been nasty to anyone who knows about wireless networking let me apologise unreservedly ...

Now, HHHEEEELLLLPPPPPP.

I've got a wireless ready laptop woo and yay.

I've also got a little USB wi-fi thing plugged into my home PC.

What I wanna do is have a little peer-to-peer network so that I can use the cable broadband on the PC on the laptop - if that makes sense and also share files between the two.

I have followed the XP wizzards on both machines - set up network shite &nbsp;- and I can get them to recognise each other but that's as far as it goes.

So, I'm out of my computer knowledge here, out of my depth competely. HHEEELPP

All ideas gratefully received ... now where did I put that hammer?

[Jay]

When you go through the XP network wizard, one of the questions is something like &quot;Does this machine connect directly to the internet or use a 3rd party connection&quot;. For your main machine, select 'connects directly' and on the laptop select 'uses 3rd party connection'. Also right click on your internet connection in 'network connections', select 'properties' and 'advanced' - then tick all the boxes.

Then the laptop should access the internet without any further things to do.

Of course, life being what it is, this WON'T work for you (because it never does) so check back in in an hour or so and ask again!!

[Gavin Yates]

<font color='#000F22'>Cheers Heads - worked that oot meself and it disnae work.

I'm thinking that it might be because I use a ethernet card to connect to the cable-modem but that might be complete shite.

Now where's that sellotape?

[Dr Stevil]

Are both pcs running XP ? I tried to set up a home network with an XP laptop and a W2K desktop as the one with the internet BB connex, didn't work

Perhaps try the &quot;connects thru a residential gateway&quot; option ?

[Simon A]

gav,
having a plethora of wireless bits around the house. I have a work around!
you can do it the way you want, but it's a bit hit and miss (due to microsoft's dodgy code) to set up.

Best bet is to download some kind of routing program. Winroute is a good one.

The other alternative is to use a wireless router between the cable modem and both the laptop and the PC.
I use the linksys wireless router which is the 802.11g standard
(link here)
or if you only want 802.11b (the 11Mbit standard)
try this one
This also means that you dont have to have the desktop turned on when you want to use the laptop, and puts you behind a NAT device which stops quite a few of the nasty's that are floating about.

I used to use netgear wireless stuff but IMHO the linksys stuff is better.

if it gets realy desperate let us know, i've got enough bits round the house to send you a cheap aid parcel.

Simon A

[Adrian Kelland]

Simon

I know nothing about wireless, but I understand there are issues regarding stopping other people with wireless kit from using Gav's network, and even looing at his PCs.

Adrian

[Fi]

<font color='#736AFF'>Thanks for the suggestions guys.  It's actually my new toy that Gav is trying to sort out for me.  I believe him to partaking in a few pints of Deuchars this evening, but will put your suggestions to him when he returns.  I THINK the idea was to go the wi-fi USB route (rather than the router??) - but WTF do I know  

Cheers - we may be back for more help and advice


Fi

[Sean]

sounds kinda daft but you have got a wireless card in the laptop?.. &nbsp;if it still won't work just get a network card for each PC and use a crossover cable

[Gavin Yates]

<font color='#000F22'>Thanks guys ... particularly Simon for your very kind offer.

I have found some walkthroughs on the net I'm gonna try and if that fails then I'll buy a wireless router...

... and if that doesn't work then I'll stick to drinking IPA

[Sean]

Try getting a wireless access point. and connect that to a network card in the host PC using a crossover cable, then put the wireless card in the laptop you have to ensure that both PC are on the same channel..