home wireless network questions

[XanthorDrathos]

Wireless

Hey gang,

I want to go wireless in my house -- get a wireless laptop, etc. My questions:

Charter: anyone know if there's a problem with getting Charter cable internet to work with a wireless router/port?

Bluetooth -- what is is?

Laptops: is an internal wireless network card the best solution?

Hardware: what do I need and do you have recommendations for brands?

Other thoughts?

Gotten Charter Cable to work with Netgear and Linksys routers without major issues. Not too much support when the router is on your side of the modem unless you're paying for the extra service or IP hosting.

On laptops using the internal card, it's a matter of signal strength as already noted. If weak or having connection issues go with matching card to router.

Hardware, stick with the big names Netgear, Linksys, DLink and you'll be OK.

A router is a hardware firewall, if properly configured as others have mentioned. Zone Alarm works as a software firewall, but depending on type of net traffic you do, you may need to configure it a bit.

Other thoughts, beware of using wireless network connections and using other wireless devices like printers also. I have seen one instance where connection was lost trying to use a wireless printer and the wireless network at the same time.

 

[EricNoah]

Again, my thanks. I think I will go out computer shopping tonight (probably not to buy, but to look at some of the higher-rated laptops and see which I like best).

 

[EricNoah]

Hey cool -- I'm on my new laptop and on the web wireless in my kitchen! Thanks to all of you for your help. I've got some configuring to do!

 

[EricNoah]

Urg, I'm having a hard time getting my two computers to see each other or establish a network. I've tried it through the router, I've tried it with a direct connection (crossover cable I had from last time I swapped computers). I want to do the File and Settings Transfer thing but it's gonna take a lot of disks if I can't get my computers talking. Anyone have any hints? I've used the Windows network wizard and it just goes round in circles -- make a disk, take it to the other computer, run the wizard, take a disk, etc. I'll try to track down a serial cable (apparently this can be used in the Transfer wizard) tomorrow and see what happens.

 

[Rackhir]

Urg, I'm having a hard time getting my two computers to see each other or establish a network. I've tried it through the router, I've tried it with a direct connection (crossover cable I had from last time I swapped computers). I want to do the File and Settings Transfer thing but it's gonna take a lot of disks if I can't get my computers talking. Anyone have any hints? I've used the Windows network wizard and it just goes round in circles -- make a disk, take it to the other computer, run the wizard, take a disk, etc. I'll try to track down a serial cable (apparently this can be used in the Transfer wizard) tomorrow and see what happens.

Are they using the same OS? Also, make sure to share the directories you want to share, before you try to network the computers. I'm not sure exactly what you are trying to do with the "File and Settings Transfer", what is that supposed to accomplish?

I assume you've had one computer set up previously, that should have had you set up some sort of workgroup name. As part of the initial configuration proccess, windows should ask you if you want to join a workgroup, network or have it be a standalone.

At least under w2k, the way to change this is to right click on the "My computer" select properties, click on the network identification tab, and then you should see an option "to rename this computer or join a domain, click on properties. Click on the properties button and near the bottom you should see a box with two options

Domain
Workgroup

You want to click on workgroup and type in the name of the workgroup previously established with your old computer. With out more specific information that's all I can think of.

 

[fafhrd]

Urg, I'm having a hard time getting my two computers to see each other or establish a network. I've tried it through the router, I've tried it with a direct connection (crossover cable I had from last time I swapped computers). I want to do the File and Settings Transfer thing but it's gonna take a lot of disks if I can't get my computers talking. Anyone have any hints? I've used the Windows network wizard and it just goes round in circles -- make a disk, take it to the other computer, run the wizard, take a disk, etc. I'll try to track down a serial cable (apparently this can be used in the Transfer wizard) tomorrow and see what happens.

You could set both machines up on the same workgroup. Also, try using the unc path to access the remote computer. Make a folder and right click>sharing. Share the folder go start>run>\\"machinename"\"foldername". Enter your credentials to log in and you should be able to access files without running the whole network setupmajigy. Good luck.

Edited to fix wackwack facing

 

[EricNoah]

Well somehow they're both set up as "workgroups" but neither sees the other. I dunno. I'll try some of your suggestions and see what happens.

 

[EricNoah]

Update: it was having the microsoft firewall on that was keeping the computers from seeing each other. I've got them seeing each other now and am beginning to transfer my files. Thanks again!