HELP!!! Getting DSL...want the MOST RELIABLE Wireless Networking thingie! (1 Viewer)

[Scooter]

Ok..title says it all...I am a dweeb with this! Morgan and I will both have accounts on the one line..and I don't want to be wiring all over the house...so wireless is the way. I need THE BEST one out there...and perhaps even the best place to get the best price on said item.
I am asking the PC Guru's in the forum for their help! Thanks in advance.
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"The ScootPlex2000 is the ONLY theater I screen films for review in!"
David Manning-Critic

 

[Eric Samonte]

CNET hardware could be of great help. They got professional reviews as well as consumer reviews which matter most I think.
I was in the same boat a few months back but wireless sure cost an arm and a leg. And to top it off, they were buggy back then. From the new ones that got out, I hear they work wonderful but still with quite a price tag.
FYI, I opted for that HPNA thingy. USB adapters connected to phonelines. Works great so far.
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Eric Samonte
Dito sa Pilipinas..may Hom Tiyeter rin kami!

 

[Jeff Peake]

use www.pricewatch.com to get the best price on whatever wireless router you choose.

 

[Chris Wittry]

I went with the BEFW11S4 from Linksys (Router, 4 port switch, wireless 802.11b) and have been using it for approximately 6 months now. It works great and I regularly work in my basement or out on my patio. We also use the same one at our office and it works great there too. Very easy to set up and also very reliable

 

[Scooter]

Ok..I see the LinkSys and I am leaning that way. WIll the NetGear Wireless PC Card work with the system and my son's Compaq laptop?
And it appears I would need 2 cards for my PC..yes?
Is there an All-In-One card I simply pop into my PC and, voila'..I am connected?
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"The ScootPlex2000 is the ONLY theater I screen films for review in!"
David Manning-Critic
[Edited last by Scooter on October 16, 2001 at 02:37 PM]

 

[Denward]

I have had DSL for a while now, but I just started researching wireless networking. Here's the most http://www.pcworld.com/reviews/article/0,aid,50415,00.asp. I would welcome any corrections from more knowledgable HTFers.
[edit]
Also from what I've read, all of these are finicky to set up, so I would buy from someplace that will give you a 100% refund if you can't get it to work.
[Edited last by Denward on October 16, 2001 at 03:41 PM]

 

[Denward]

Here's a link to proxim.com , a manufacturer of 802.11 equipment and the first HomeRF 2.0 product. It gives some very straightforward setup advice for various scenarios, and estimated costs. I have also emailed them for their free networking consultation to see if they can meet the needs I described in my previous post.

 

[Kelley_B]

Even though you aren't running Macs, I just wanted to say how much I love Airport.

 

[Steve_Ch]

If you are doing DSL, I strongly urge you to get a combo firewall/wireless router. If you or anybody in your family ever decide to get an Apple, the Apple Airport will work with any 802.11b hub, I consider that as a major advantage over Home RF.

 

[Scooter]

Ok...got the stuff I need EXCEPT the card for my PC. Got Morgna's card for his laptop and here is what I want to know now. Is there an ALL-IN-ONE card for my PC with the card/adapter combo?
Thanks in advance.

 

[Jeff R.]

I've been thinking of going with a wireless network for quite some time. I don't have the extra $$ right now. Anyway, I've been looking really closely at the whole line of 3com products. I don't know much about them except they look good on paper. They do have a PCI card for desktops listed here. You might still have to get the wireless adapter seperately with this though. I'm not quite sure.

 

[Glenn]

Hi,
I have a wireless network running in my house along with a wired one. I have DSL using an external DSL modem hooked up to a Netgear Router with a 4 port switch. When I bought the router they did not yet make routers with wireless capabilities built in so I also have a D-Link wireless access point plugged into one of the router ethernet ports. Two desktop computers are running from two other router ports. I have a HP laptop using a D-Link card and an Apple iBook using an Airport card running on the wireless connection. They both work good but the iBook does get slighty better reception. I think this is due to Apple building in an antenna for the Airport card as opposed to the vard having a small buil-in antenna on it. But none-the-less they both work great in my house and having the wireless network is one of the bst computer inventions that I have.
I also like this web site http://www.practicallynetworked.com it is a great source for info, reviews, and to get prices on networking equipment.
Good luck,
Glenn

 

[Denward]

Well Scooter, you're ahead of me. I'm trying to get an external DSL modem from ebay (there's a good number on sale) and the Proxim product shipped 3 weeks ago but I can't find anyone who actually has one to sell.
I'm not sure what you mean by 'all-in-one' card/adapter. If you mean an internal DSL modem with an Ethernet out port, I'm not sure that exists. I think the internal modems are designed as integrated modem/NIC so there's no external output for the DSL data.
I'm guessing that you're just getting your DSL service now. See if your ISP has an external modem with an Ethernet port. If so, get the make and model and you can probably save $100 by getting it on ebay.
If you're going to hook up your PC to the router with an Ethernet cable, I saw a DLink NIC on sale at Best Buy for $5 (yes five dollars) after rebates. If you're setting up your PC on a wireless connection, expect to pay $70-$120 for a wireless NIC.
BTW, what did you end up buying?

 

[Scooter]

I wound up buying the LinkSys BEFW11S4 Wireless Router. The card for Morgan's laptop I got from MEI and I have to go, of all places, Wal-Mart for the card I want for my PC at the best price.
Got the router for $150.00 at Circuit City price matching CompUSA who wa simply farther than I wanted to drive to. I DID buy the extended contract..I NEVER buy those..because it was $35.00 for 4 years...and they give you a replacement..not repair. The modem comes from Verizon for free along with a webcam.
The DSL is active...Verizon called on saturday. So, I simply have to wait for Morgan's card to get here...and we are DSL crazy!!!!!

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"Hey mr. taliban, tally up me bombers...
Daylight come, we blow up your home"