Newbie Help on Wireless Networking

[Jud]

Hi Group

Whilst I'm not to bad with Windows and Networking with cables, I have been
asked to set up a wireless system for my brother,

At the moment he has just one PC and has NTL Broadband Via a Set Top Box,
but plans to add a Laptop and a second PC
after Christmas.

Question
He's not to bright about PC's so I need a Wireless system that I can set up
and not have any need for him to touch (does such a thing exist), so
reliabilty
is a must.

I know basically that he needs a Broadband Wireless Router and the card for
his PC (his laptop should have WIFI included) so
suggestions please.

Thanks

Jud

 

[Herb Martin]

Hi Group

Whilst I'm not to bad with Windows and Networking with cables, I have been
asked to set up a wireless system for my brother,

At the moment he has just one PC and has NTL Broadband Via a Set Top Box,
but plans to add a Laptop and a second PC
after Christmas.

Question
He's not to bright about PC's so I need a Wireless system that I can set up
and not have any need for him to touch (does such a thing exist), so
reliabilty is a must.

No, such a thing does not exist.

Sooner or later he will need help.

Sooner or later, the card will burn out or at BEST the router
will need periodic security/BIOS updates.

The card also should have period updates since security breaches
are frequently fixed by updates to the cards drivers and or BIOS.

I know basically that he needs a Broadband Wireless Router and the card for
his PC (his laptop should have WIFI included) so
suggestions please.

If you want brands, you will get different recommendations
depending on the prior luck of whoever is recommending.

I am buying NetGear cards and hubs with at least 802.11G (the G is
the Key here.)

There is nothing wrong with others, but I can get a bit extra bandwidth
if I use nothing other than there advanced cards. I have a bit of love
hate relationship with NetGear but I am still buying them so it is mostly
love. <grin>

Put LinkSys and others are probably fine too.

Take a look at Amazon (and don't pay more than you find there as
the price.)

You can also use PriceWatch.com or PriceGrabber.com or buy through
Ebay, but for something so cheap (less than $150 for card and router
with tax and or shipping) it isn't worth bidding on usually.

After you setup the router, be CERTAIN to save the configuration
to a harddrive, remember/record the passwords and locations
somewhere secure, and then when the router dies or gets hit by
lightning or whatever you can restore the settings to it (or it's
replacement.)

 

[Jud]

SNIP

No, such a thing does not exist.

Sooner or later he will need help.

Sooner or later, the card will burn out or at BEST the router
will need periodic security/BIOS updates.

Guess its beyond me then , cheers, I'll let him know he needs someone with
more knowledge than me.

Jud

 

[Herb Martin]

Guess its beyond me then , cheers, I'll let him know he needs someone with
more knowledge than me.

I didn't say you couldn't do it -- and perhaps fairly easy
-- but you asked for something that would never need
tending.

No one can do that.

 

[Jud]

I didn't say you couldn't do it -- and perhaps fairly easy
-- but you asked for something that would never need
tending.

No one can do that.