Vista + Wireless on same machine with the router?

[Michael B.]

Here is my setup. I am running Vista Utlimate, and I have the Linksys
WRT300N v1.1 router for my DSL connection. My computer is a mid-tower.
Lately, my ISP has had a few outages, so I was thinking of buying either the
Linksys Wireless-N USB Network Adapter (model WUSB300N) or the Linksys
Wireless-N PCI Adapter (model WMP300N) and installing it on the SAME
computer.

You may ask, why do I want to do this? Well, I live in a large apartment
building, and 1/2 of the people use Cable as their internet connection. So
if my DSL fails, I can then try to "connect" to one of my neighbors (yes,
with permission) via the wireless connection and it until my DSL line comes
back. Again, this is really for emergency situation, as my DSL is up 99.9%
of the time.

My questions are:

1) How can I make sure that when I am using the HARDLINE (normal, DSL)
connection that my Wireless adapter does not keep trying to take over the
and connect me via the Cable (wireless)?

2) The reason I am choosing between the 2 models mentioned for the wireless
network adapter, is that they are already 802.11n draft 2.0 ceritifed by the
Wi-Fi alliance. Meaning that when "N" becomes more prevelant, I won't need
to change my hardware. I realize that for now I should only worry about
the 802.11g, as thats what 99% are still using.

3) Any advantage having the PCI version over the USB version wireless
adapter? Remember, I am not using a laptop, and I want to get the
adapter/antenna with the strongest signal. Is there another brand that I
should consider (as long as it's 802.11n draft 2.0 certified)?

Anything else I need to worry about?

All input is much appreciated

 

[Charlie Tame]

Here is my setup. I am running Vista Utlimate, and I have the Linksys
WRT300N v1.1 router for my DSL connection. My computer is a mid-tower.
Lately, my ISP has had a few outages, so I was thinking of buying either
the Linksys Wireless-N USB Network Adapter (model WUSB300N) or the
Linksys Wireless-N PCI Adapter (model WMP300N) and installing it on the
SAME computer.

You may ask, why do I want to do this? Well, I live in a large
apartment building, and 1/2 of the people use Cable as their internet
connection. So if my DSL fails, I can then try to "connect" to one of
my neighbors (yes, with permission) via the wireless connection and it
until my DSL line comes back. Again, this is really for emergency
situation, as my DSL is up 99.9% of the time.

My questions are:

1) How can I make sure that when I am using the HARDLINE (normal, DSL)
connection that my Wireless adapter does not keep trying to take over
the and connect me via the Cable (wireless)?

2) The reason I am choosing between the 2 models mentioned for the
wireless network adapter, is that they are already 802.11n draft 2.0
ceritifed by the Wi-Fi alliance. Meaning that when "N" becomes more
prevelant, I won't need to change my hardware. I realize that for now
I should only worry about the 802.11g, as thats what 99% are still using.

3) Any advantage having the PCI version over the USB version wireless
adapter? Remember, I am not using a laptop, and I want to get the
adapter/antenna with the strongest signal. Is there another brand that
I should consider (as long as it's 802.11n draft 2.0 certified)?

Anything else I need to worry about?

All input is much appreciated

You can get an external antenna for the card which should help, however
the range is NOT good through walls and depends much on the "Layout" of
the buildings... I assume your neighbor has something other than DSL or
you won't gain a lot if his goes down as well

Assuming the card comes with Vista compatible drivers, and if 64 bit
must be 64 bit drivers, 32 bit drivers don't work, then I don't think
there's much difference but I don't have any experience with USB.

Windows can control connectivity or you may get a utility with the card,
either should work but you probably can't use both together to configure
so will have to pick one. If you have icons for both adapters on the
taskbar it is a simple matter to disable one anyway.

 

[dennis@home]

3) Any advantage having the PCI version over the USB version wireless
adapter? Remember, I am not using a laptop, and I want to get the
adapter/antenna with the strongest signal. Is there another brand that I
should consider (as long as it's 802.11n draft 2.0 certified)?

Some adapters allow for external aerials which can be useful if you suffer
reception problems.

PCI adapters usually use less cpu resource to run than USB ones.
However you can put a USB adapter on an extention cable and move it around
to get the best signal.

You can unplug a USB adapter when you don't want it to be used.