ZD7000 wireless help for network newbie

1. With help from the main NotebookReview forum, I have just ordered a ZD7000 equipped with the Broadcom 54g card from HP Shopping. I have also ordered a HP PSC-2510 wireless enabled all-in-one. I need to know if I can wirelessly connect the notebook to the all-in-one using a D-Link DI-624 router I have also ordered, or am I missing any significant components. There will no other computers involved in this nascent 'network' but most diagrams and basic descriptions of wireless networks show the router connected to a desktop PC and then other wireless notebooks working off that. I understand (I think) that I am going to have to connect the router to the notebook to configure it, but then can I disconnect them and leave the router connected only to a power source.

2. Also, and I know this appears hopelessly luddite, could I connect this router to a dial-up modem? As far as I can tell I cannot.

3. I live in NYC and my broadband options appear to be Time Warner Cable Road Runner and Earthlink Cable. Does anyone know if these services have a minimum contract period, or can I start and end their services at will?

Thanks for any help.

Tom

 

hey, sweet setup you're going to have there! With a router you won't need to have any pc involved in your network. Once upon a time when routers were expensive people used a broadband connection + pc (that acted as a router) + hub to split a broadband connection into many. Nowadays us consumers just buy a router + hub combo such as you've done. So, you'll just plug an ethernet cord running from your cable modem into the back of the router and voila, wireless...or you can run more ethernet cords from the router to your notebook if you so choose. You won't have to directly connect your notebook to the router, D-Link will give you an ip to type in and you can administrate your router via a web console that the router runs. It's straightforward. The HP Printer should just show up on the network and I'm sure the drivers for this printer give some sort of wizard administrative tool to help you with this.

Mostly it'll be Plug n' Play for you.

I live here in NYC too and use RCN as a provider because they have good deals on packaged cable + phone + broadband. If you already subscribe to TimeWarner you can just sign up at will and cancel at will, no long term contracts, and certainly avoid such a thing with internet provider services...this isn't the cell phone industry!

 

Ha, you must have been writing right behind me...

Editor in Chief http://www.bargainPDA.com and http://www.SPOTstop.com

 

Tom, you are on the right track.

1) Your assumption is correct, no need for a PC, but you should plug in to configure the router, though this can still be done with a wireless connection only.

2) You cannot.

3) I use RR, no contract here. They want to lower the barriers to gain new subscribers.

Editor in Chief http://www.bargainPDA.com and http://www.SPOTstop.com

 

Whew! Fast response, guys. Thanks very much. That seems to clear up most of the issues at this point. Of course I haven't actually tried connecting them all yet as the router is the only thing that has arrived.

May be getting back to you in a few days' time... assuming HP ship my new baby, currently having trouble authorising payment because I gave them the wrong phone number or something. Grrrr...

Thanks again,
Tom