wireless or not

[ray316]

can anyone help, l have a toshiba a60 laptop just bought me.l would like to go wireless without having to connect to the modem so l can use it in other parts of the house, l know l need to buy a router to connect to the modem but do l need to buy a router card to put in the laptop or will it already have one installed.How can l find out by looking at the laptop .

[Richard_G]

Why do you think you need a router? You already have a modem connected to a computer giving that computer internet access I assume. All you then need is a Wireless card to go in that computer and a Wireless PCMCIA card to go in the laptop (if it doesn't have Wi-Fi built in). Turn Internet connection sharing on in Windows XP and it just works. This is the setup that I use and the total cost was under £30.

Of course if you aren't in the UK, the cost will be different and if you're not running Win XP, the setup will be different. But if you don't fill in your profile, how are we expected to know these things.

[ray316]

yes l am from england and a novice to all this, so l hope you understand this is all new to me. Anyway l am connected to the internet by means of a modem, l just want to disconnect the ethernet lead from the laptop and go wireless.l must need a router connected to the modem to pick a signal up to the laptop if l am in a other room, l just do not know if l need a card to put in the laptop or if one is already installed.

[Nelson9937955]

This is www.videohelp.com

What does your question have to do with video help?

[Skith]

This is www.videohelp.com

What does your question have to do with video help?

This is the newbe/general help forum. Everyone has to start somewhere, right?

@Ray316:
If your laptop is Intel based, and has the Wireless Centrino logo, it probably has built in wi-fi. If not, you will probably need to add a PCMCIA card (often called a PC CARD).

A bit more info is needed:

What operating system do you have? (Win98, Windows 2000, Windows XP home/pro?)
What kind of connection to the internet do you have? (dial-up, cable, DSL)?

If you want to connect more than one computer you will definately need a router. Since routers are not that expensive, I would recommend getting one (with wireless support).

Unfortunately I can not help much with model recommendations as I am unfamiliar with what is available in the UK.

Your setup should be: Incomming connection -> Modem -> router -> sends wireless signal -> computer(s)

Support with windows 98 and ME may be poor.

I hope this answers some of your questions.

[ray316]

thanks for some info skith. l have winxp sp2 home edition, it says on the laptop logo (intel inside-celeron)does this mean wireless.lf it is wireless installed l will still need a router for the mo dem won,t l?
l am on broadband cable. As for nelson 9937955 don,t you ask questions for help or are you mister know it all.

[waheed]

This is www.videohelp.com

What does your question have to do with video help?

Not correct. This site mainly is for video topics, but other topics are also covered. That is why we have forums for Macs, Computers, Newbie/General Discussion and Off Topic etc...

[TaoTeWingChun]

Hi Ray316,

You stated that you had a Toshiba model A60. Whether it is wireless ready or not might depend on the specific model of A60 you have.

Please give us more details so we can assist you, ok?

Best Wishes!

[bugster]

Moved you to the Computer forum

/moderator bugster

[Skith]

I am guessing it most likely does not have built in wireless (hardware) capability. Most Intel laptops with built in wireless have the "Centrino" logo.

You would need a wireless PC Card adapter (a flat card that plugs into the laptop) and a router. I would advise a router that has a built in firewall and supports encryption of wireless signals (for security).

Some common brands (at least in the US) are Linksys (I think I spelled that right), Dlink, and Netgear. I use a netgear model myself (though rarely use the wireless connection).

I would advise against any wireless devices that connect via USB.

[Hardcoreruss]

You do not need a router.

You can simply connect the two pc's via wireless cards and share the internet connection through the modem which is connected to the main pc.

If your Celeron is wireless there may be a green M somewhere near the logo. Or you could go: -

Control Panel --> System --> Device Manager

and look for a Wireless controller there to see if it has one.