PS3/Computer/Wireless Question

[paulsometimes]

I currently have a DSL broadband connection (living in the UK, this seems to be all that is offered in my area). The connection only goes to my computer and to the best of my knowledge, I can't hook my PS3 up to it as there was software sent with the connection that can only be read by my computer. However, considering it costs $2 a minute to call tech support, I haven't bothered to give them a ring about it. Instead, I was thinking of just trying to set up a wireless connection in my house. However, I'm not a very tech-savvy person. Is a wireless setup something that needs to be done through my ISP, or can I purchase a router at the store and hook that into the DSL modem? And does anyone know if a 1 mbps connection will be decent for playing PS3 games over the internet (that's the best connection offered in my area)? Thanks to all that can help.

 

[Thanee]

You only need a wireless-capable router (and set it up properly, of course).

Basically, you plug your router into the DSL modem, like you do with your PC right now. You also have to set up your router through the admin panel so it can log into the network the same way you do with your PC right now (login data from your ISP, which you also use on your PC currently... i.e. user account and password, etc). The router then automatically connects to the internet and forms a network hub, where you can plug in multiple machines to connect to the internet via the router.

The router has some slots to plug network cables in them, like the one the modem has (where your PC is plugged in right now and the router is plugged in then instead). You can hook up your computer there, and the data is just slaved-through from the ISP to your modem through the router to your PC.

At the same time, the router also transmits the signal to form a wireless network, which isn't much different to hooking a computer up with a cable to the router, just that the connection is done via radio transceivers.

The PS3 then needs to be set up to match the routers wireless settings (same encryption protocols, i.e. WPA2)... assuming it has a wireless transceiver built in (but I think it does). You need to scan for wireless networks in your vincinity (obviously after the router has been set up) and find the network your router is transmitting (when you set up the router you can give your network a name to be able to identify it; default is usually the router's specification). Then connect to it, put in the proper keyphrase (which you hopefully set up on your router earlier, because it's a good idea to do so), and when that is done you should have both connected to the same network.

1mbit isn't great, but should be ok to play games.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Thanee]

...I can't hook my PS3 up to it as there was software sent with the connection that can only be read by my computer.

Hmm... you have specific software to connect the computer to the internet from your ISP?

You won't be able to set up a router then either, since you cannot install software on those as well.

The software most likely isn't necessary to actually use the modem and connect to the internet, though, but you do need the appropriate information.

You must have the login data (username/password, etc) independant of any special internet connection software, if this information is not available in the stuff your ISP gave you, you will have to ask them (maybe there's a standard (free or cheaper) customer service number?).

Maybe they also have a FAQ on their site... detailing how you set up a router with their internet connection.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Kid Charlemagne]

Incidentally, this is eactly what I did with my PS3. I'm not non-technical, but I had little/no experience with wireless networks before setting mine up. I bought a Netgear router, and within an hour, I had a working wireless connection to my PS3 from my PC. It was very easy to do.

 

[Bront]

The software most likely isn't necessary to actually use the modem and connect to the internet, though, but you do need the appropriate information.

You must have the login data (username/password, etc) independant of any special internet connection software, if this information is not available in the stuff your ISP gave you, you will have to ask them (maybe there's a standard (free or cheaper) customer service number?).

Thanee is right here.

DSL software is usually just to do your dialup over ethernet, and any router you buy new today will do that automaticly, you'll just have to go to the setup website for the router (usually 192.168.1.1 or something close to that)