Wireless networking questions - xbox and laptop

[yoda313]

Hello,

WIRELESS NEWBIE needs help

I'm finally going to order DSL soon

I was wondering about XBOX LIVE. I have an XBOX and will soon finally have broadband so I can go online.

The 1 year subscription you get when you buy the service, does that cover ALL games???? Do the individual games have their own fees like the pc games (Sims, Star Wars Galaxies, etc....)???????

Also, my XBOX is downstairs while my desktop that will connect to dsl is upstairs. I'm very close to buying a wireless transmitter for the desktop so I can beam it to an old Pentium 2 laptop I have and the xbox. I've been told that the older standard 802.11B is more than adequate for most home applications. Is this still true??? Is the new G standard overkill for DSL speeds???? I don't want to overbuy if I don't have to.

Now also, I've looke at www.xbox.com and found the hardware section. They have the Xbox wireless adapter at $100 US. I'm almost willing to buy that without thinking about the price since I don't/can't run a 300ft cable down the stairs to my xbox

Does the transmitter hook into the back in the lan port of the XBOX and stay there??? Or does it hook up via a lan cable??? If it attaches directly than I have to move the xbox because my shelf it's on doesn't have the depth needed for such an addon.

Anybody with XBOX Live and wireless experience care to share their knowledge??????


Thanks in advance

Kevin

P.S. If I were to just get a wireless transmitter and not a router would that mean only 1 device could receive the transmission at a time??? Say I have the pc on with the dsl connection active and transmitting, I could only use the XBOX with adapter OR the laptop and not both (if I don't get a wireless router)????????

[ViRaL1]

I recommend 802.11g. The speed difference is sizable and the price difference isn't. Some may say that since 802.11b is faster than your broadband connection, there's no need for 802.11g. This is true if ALL that you're wanting to do is transfer data to / from the internet. But if you plan on doing any transfers between computers you'll be glad you went with 802.11g. It's also nice for streaming movies. You don't have to buy the XBOX wireless adapter. There are other wireless bridges that are compatible with the XBOX. 300ft of cable? How big is your house / apt?

The Linksys Wireless B game adapter can be found as low as $55 and the Linksys Wireless G game adapter can be found as low as $78. Other manufacturers also have compatible adapters. Technicall MOST wireless bridges should work regardless of whether or not their designed for gaming. Something else to think about. Depending on how big of a deal the free XBOX Live! is to you. For $8 more a month you can get about twice the bandwidth of the DSL Pro package. It's not listed but there's a 6Mb plan for $45/mo.

[glockjs]

go with linksys wireless g and nothing else. yes it covers all the games except for a game like everquest.

as far as the connection, the adapter lets you plug a cat5 that can go into basically anything. including the xbox. as far as a wireless router which you need you could have up to i think it was 32 devices at the same time.

[ViRaL1]

What he said. I have a Linksys WRT54g and I love it. No complaints at all. The firmware is open source IIRC and there are tweaks / hacks out there for improving performance.

[glockjs]

its just that ive had some experience with other wireless brands and all i can say it's not worth the headache. linksys works from the second you plug it in, it's worth the extra bucks.

[ps2daddy]

I dont have xbox live but yes it covers all the games.

Since cable modems usually only go 3mb per sec on maxThe 802.11b is adequate (If you wanted to do large file transfers with your xbox you might want to consider G

I would sugest buying a wireless router and a ethernet bridge
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=458470&Sku=N100-1458%20P

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=570320&CatId=1594

[Hardcoreruss]

I have a linksys game adapter for my xbox which works great. For routers IMHO there is nothing better than the Draytek Vigor 2600G.

[Faustus]

The wireless G linksys is ok, beyond that one I wouldn't go linksys. To many request freak them outsometimes. I'm a big Dlink fan myself. I even like their built in firewall better.

[yoda313]

Hello,

THANKS! I appreciate the responses.

I'll have to check these out when I get home tonight.

So there are other NON-XBOX adapters huh??? I think I'll definitely have a go at it.

--------------------------------------------------------

Viral1 - I probably wouldn't need 300ft I just threw out a large number to reach upstairs to downstairs (normal 2story house - nothing too fancy ).

Ok so do I HAVE to have a wireless router???? Couldn't I just get a wireless transmitter and the reciever????????

Thanks again for all the suggestions... I'll do some more research before I spend the big bucks

Kevin

EDIT - I looked at bestbuy.com and they had a blurb about wireless but it didn't include the G format... Is there a newer faq available for wireless basics????

EDIT 2 - I looked on www.cnet.com and found the page for wireless networking info:

http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-7605_7-1023478-1.html?tag=dir.relcal

I'll do some reading this week while I wait for my DSL to be shipped and activated

[yoda313]

Hello,

Ok how much do I need to send a signal from the desktop pc that will have the dsl connection to the xbox or a laptop???? Will a wireless router and receiver be enough????

cnet

Routers act as the gateway between your broadband connection and your home network. Wireless routers come in various configurations, but most are amalgamations of a four-port wired Ethernet switch and a wireless access point. As the name implies, these devices route traffic between your network and the Internet. Most include built-in DHCP servers that automatically assign the right IP address information to each computer on your local-area network, or LAN. A separate WAN, or wide-area network, interface on the router connects your entire home or office network to your broadband modem, allowing you to share your Internet connection through the router. Most routers also have firewall capabilities, and some include more advanced security features. Some routers even have an integrated cable or DSL modem, eliminating your need for two separate devices

Is that all I need???? How much equipment do I need for sending the signal from the desktop to the xbox??? to the laptop????

Thanks again... I'll keep reading and trying to figure this wireless world out...

Kevin

[yoda313]

BUMP!

WIRELESS NEWBIE NEEDS HELP

Hello,

Ok I'm officially getting my DSL next Monday 11-22.

What exactly do I need for wireless????? Is a wireless router and a receiver enough???

Also, I only have USB1.1 on my desktop. I don't think I have enough pci slots to hook up a pci wireless transmitter. If I were to do a 802.11G transmitter via USB would the 1.1 limit it to just 11mbps thus negating it's high speed function????

Any advice would be useful

Kevin

[yoda313]

Hello,

Ok I went to the linksys website and found the game adapter that will work with the xbox:

http://www.linksys.com/products/product.asp?grid=33&scid=38&prid=550

Do they have a G model???????

If not would it be better to buy the microsoft one that is a G model?????

Also, how much is it??? Do stores like Bestbuy and OfficeMax sell it??? Bestbuy's website didn't seem to carry it......

Kevin

[tekkieman]

Honestly Yoda, if you want to save the money, get the B version. I have the SBC 3Mb DSL, and use wireless B to connect the wife's computer to the internet. I got the router and USB adapter at Staples (only store I have here), and got the router for $9.99 after rebate, and the USB adapter for $29.99 after rebate. Can't help on the XBox adapter, but even if it's a G, it will still work with your B router.

The router and USB adapter are Netgear.

[yoda313]

Honestly Yoda, if you want to save the money, get the B version. I have the SBC 3Mb DSL, and use wireless B to connect the wife's computer to the internet. I got the router and USB adapter at Staples (only store I have here), and got the router for $9.99 after rebate, and the USB adapter for $29.99 after rebate. Can't help on the XBox adapter, but even if it's a G, it will still work with your B router.

The router and USB adapter are Netgear.

Hello,

You know, I'm struggling justifiying the jump to G.....

My desktop is a amd 850mhz and whenever I do upgrade it to a new pc it will receive the dsl directly so I wouldn't need highspeed wireless for that....

My laptop is a used Pentium 2 so it wouldn't be able to handle much more than websurfing anyway......

So the B works just fine????? No slowdowns or drop in performance????????

Kevin

Thanks.....

[tekkieman]

Nope. The auto dropdown for B goes from 11Mb to 5Mb to 2Mb. Still faster than your DSL connection. The only issue with those dropdowns is on file transfers across your LAN. I wouldn't really want to transfer DVD rips across at 2Mb On the wired pcs it will be 100Mb regardless.

Just double check that the USB adapter works under USB 1. If not, I assume the notebook has a card slot. If so, look for the kits with the routers and pcmcia adapter.

Other than that, it should be fine.

[yoda313]

Nope. The auto dropdown for B goes from 11Mb to 5Mb to 2Mb. Still faster than your DSL connection. The only issue with those dropdowns is on file transfers across your LAN. I wouldn't really want to transfer DVD rips across at 2Mb On the wired pcs it will be 100Mb regardless.

Just double check that the USB adapter works under USB 1. If not, I assume the notebook has a card slot. If so, look for the kits with the routers and pcmcia adapter.

Other than that, it should be fine.

Hello,

Thanks!

I think what I'm going to do is browse Bestbuy this weekend....

Then I think I'm going to wait for the Friday after Thanksgiving Day sales . I might be able to score a G receiver + transmitter combo on the cheap

Thanks for all the help

Kevin

[SquirrelDip]

My 2 cents...

Go for the G router (or even the Extreme G - 108Mbit), this way you're not limiting the source.

You can mix and match the NIC's - the router will support both B and G.

For accessing the internet, B is sufficient - networking follows the weakest link, your DSL is the slowest part so anything faster anywhere else is overkill.

The advantage of having a G router is when you start talking between 2 computers within your internal network. Having G will enable them to talk at 54Mbit. If you share a printer then G will permit faster printing.

If you want to share a printer, consider getting a router with a built in print server. These do add to the price but if (or better, when) you hook up 2 or more computers printing is sooo much nicer.

I've used Linksys, currently have Netgear at home and currently have DLink in the office - never a problem with any of them. Netgear setup is the simplest but the least customizable - DLink is good but a little more confusing if you're not familiar with networking.

I've had problems with SMC routers and NIC's.

[yoda313]

Hello,

Thanks squireldip.....

I think maybe I'll wait and see if I can get a g router and receiver cheap during next weekends sales....

Otherwise I think I'll probably be happy with just the B.

I don't plan on doing any heavy pc to pc sharing... for that I can do it via NIC cards or just burn it to dvdr if it's just a file

Thanks...

Kevin

[ViRaL1]

I don't have any experience with Netgear routers myself, but CompUSA.com has their SuperG firewall router on sale for $50 with no rebates. Not a bad deal. Of course it's interoperable with other B/G hardware, but you'll probably need to use their wireless adapters to get more than standard 54g speeds. Also.. (from Techbargains)

Amazon has the Linksys Wireless B game adapter for $40 after $10MIR OR eBuyer has it for $55 shipped free, no rebates.

I'm curious, are you seeing much of a price difference between the B and G hardware?

[yoda313]

I don't have any experience with Netgear routers myself, but CompUSA.com has their SuperG firewall router on sale for $50 with no rebates. Not a bad deal. Of course it's interoperable with other B/G hardware, but you'll probably need to use their wireless adapters to get more than standard 54g speeds. Also.. (from Techbargains)

Amazon has the Linksys Wireless B game adapter for $40 after $10MIR OR eBuyer has it for $55 shipped free, no rebates.

I'm curious, are you seeing much of a price difference between the B and G hardware?

Hello,

Thanks... I haven't checked the prices much yet...

I'm still trying to get a grip on what's what...

This weekend I'm going to be doing some shopping and price comparisons..

I'll let you know what I find

Kevin

[yoda313]

Hello,

Ok thanks for all the replys guys... it's helped a lot for someone who has NO wireless experience.

I asked a sales guy at Bestbuy and I think I've got everything figured out from what I've read hear and other sources online.

I'm going to get a wireless G router. That way no matter what at least I'll have the capability to send at the max wireless speed. I'll get the pci card since I don't have usb2 (just usb1).

Next I found out as mentioned that all G transmitters WILL talk to all B receivers. So if I do get a G transmitter it will talk to anything.

I think I'll get a B receiver for the laptop (those looked pretty cheap). I believe I can get them for under $50 no problem. I'm leaning towards a usb model so there will be less configuration hassles (it's running WIN 98 on the laptop so I hope there's not too much hassling with the setup ).

The XBOX adapters will do just fine. I can get the B receiver for just internet speed or get the G receiver if I don't want any limitations (coughmodchipcough).

And I verified that the 2.4ghz transmission from the B or G router will NOT interfere with a 900mhz wireless telephone.

So I think I have all my basics covered. I've done a little reconnaisance at Office Max, BestBuy, and Office Depot. It seems like I should have no problem of doing the pci G transmitter and B laptop receiver for under $100. The XBOX game G adapter is going to be around $100 anywhere. I wasn't really able to find the B receiver, I'll have to do some online comparisons.... (or ebay maybe???? ).

So thanks again to all for helping out with your experiences.

Now all I'll have to do is find the right deal to buy it (I'll ask for the Xbox Game receiver for CHRISTMAS ).

Thanks again.

Kevin

EDIT - CAN'T WAIT FOR MY DSL TO GO ACTIVE! (by Monday 11-22 hopefull )