Wireless question

[Ken55]

Does anybody know if I can use use the wireless PCIMCIA card in my Dell laptop and create a wireless network at home by plugging it into a router of some sort? Our old desktop is available for use with the router if need be.

We have 2 laptops, one PC and one Mac and would like them both to get internet access. I know I can get another card for the Mac but was hoping to avoid another $50. 00 + monthly access fee if it's possible. We have no cable or DSL where I live, only a terribly slow and unreliable dial-up which is why I had to go to the PCI card. My only other option is to use a satellite connection. I know some people who have them and the price VS benefit isn't worth it. Thanks for any ideas.

Ken

 

[mberry]

I've never personally set it up, but you may be able to do Internet Connection sharing.

 

[JLEONARD]

I recently set up a wireless network in my house using a $39 router (linksys) and it works perfectly. My desktop, wife's laptop, and my laptop are all sharing the i net right now.

Very easy to do.

 

[WKruger]

If you did, and if it worked, you would only get the upload transfer rate, which is probably going to be slow anyway. The only way your going to get fast internet is with satellite.

 

[Ken55]

Thanks for your replies guys. I'm in Chicago this weekend and have my laptop with so I'll hit a Frys while I'm here and hopefully get some more ideas from them. It blows not being able to keep up with tech where I live. But that's about the only drawback to living in the N. Woods.

Ken

 

[fest3er]

Does anybody know if I can use use the wireless PCIMCIA card in my Dell laptop and create a wireless network at home by plugging it into a router of some sort? Our old desktop is available for use with the router if need be.

We have 2 laptops, one PC and one Mac and would like them both to get internet access. I know I can get another card for the Mac but was hoping to avoid another $50. 00 + monthly access fee if it's possible. We have no cable or DSL where I live, only a terribly slow and unreliable dial-up which is why I had to go to the PCI card. My only other option is to use a satellite connection. I know some people who have them and the price VS benefit isn't worth it. Thanks for any ideas.

Ken

If I understand correctly, you want to connect both computers to your single dialup connection. Yes, this can be done. You can set up a home network so the two can talk to each other. You can also buy a firewall/router that can talk to a modem as a backup connection if DSL/Cable/etc. goes down. Of course, since you do not have any other option, the router would always use the dialup option.



Such routers *do* exist. But you will also need an external modem to use with it.



However, on the other paw, if you actually do have a wireless option near you (some areas of WI have, or used to have, regional wireless systems), yes, you could potentially use a router to connect to that wireless system. Specifically, the latest hardware version 7 or 8 WRT54G Linksys wireless routers, certain of the newest Buffalo routers, and some other brands, can be loaded with DD-WRT firmware, which will allow the router to act as a wireless bridge. You would have a wired network in your home using the router's 4-port switch, and the router would connect to the wireless network. (I know this works, because I have set one up at my church because I didn't want to run a network cable in the attic during the heat of the summer; they turn the routher on, it connects to the other Linksys wireless router, and the computer has internet access. )

 

[klenger]

You want something like this: Kyocera KR1 Mobile EVDO WiFi Router w/Card Bundle [RT-KR1-B] - $179. 99 : 3Gstore.com, Verizon & Sprint EVDO Modems, Antennas, Amplifiers, Routers

 

[PVanderlugt]

You want something like this: Kyocera KR1 Mobile EVDO WiFi Router w/Card Bundle [RT-KR1-B] - $179. 99 : 3Gstore.com, Verizon & Sprint EVDO Modems, Antennas, Amplifiers, Routers

Yep , have that exact set-up with a Verizon wireless modem, works like a charm,Actually get faster speeds using this router than plugging it in directly into the laptop.

Pete

 

[Ken55]

My wireless PCM card for the Dell is from my cell provider(Alltel). You double click on the desktop icon and it dials into the the network using a phone # assigned to it. I wasn't sure how a wireless network could be set up since it does sort of dial in to connect. . I will check out the links posted and hopefully that;s what I need. My dial-up connection is cancelled due to it's unreliability. I'll be back on here asking for help setting it up if the kyocera thing works for me. Thanks guys,

Ken

 

[Ken55]

Thanks for the link to the EVDO site. I learned a lot more than I knew before, which was zip!!! Unfortunately the card I have (ec360) will not work with any of the routers that 3g has. The prob is the card is too new and only alltel uses it now. Hopefully that will change in the near future. Thanks again.

Ken