Going wireless but how...?

My parents want to go wireless but I am no help because I had my boyfriend at the time do it.

They currently have dial up & have already called their phone company to get prices on wireless. So they get the wireless on the home computer and the modem -correct?

Do they need to get a router? Where can they get it? Are they expensive? Is that easy to set up? How many computers can be set up on the one router?

 

I did this at my mom's house. How it works is the modem outside receives a long distance wireless signal.

Here's how you do it:

You have to take the modem outside and find a signal (unless you're having it installed professionally). Normally they will give you a bearing to where the signal is coming from, if you choose to install it yourself.

If you do, here's how I did it.
First you walk around with the modem plugged in to the power (most will get their power from the ethernet cable in a process called Power over Ethernet) There should be a number of lights on the bottom. Point your modem towards the signal tower (again the ISP should give you some type of bearing) and look to see where you have the best signal. Then you mount it and fine tune the angles to finish.

Next you need to run the cable from your modem to where you want your router to go. The best type for you I think would be a wireless router. Linksys is probably the best brand for your money, and is quite popular on this forum. You can get these at most electronics stores (Best Buy for example) and big retailers (Wal-Mart)

Now you have a decision to make here and I suggest you do a little bit of research. There are two types of wireless routers and adapters that you should consider. There is the 802.11g standard, and 802.11n standard. N offers higher speeds and greater range, which is good if your house is large, but it is more expensive. G is a litle slower and the range isn't as long, but it will suit most households.

So once you choose, go out and buy a router and wireless adapters (if you computers, be it laptop or desktop, don't already have them). Install the adapters on your PCs.

You also have to plug the cable from your modem into the internet port on your router.

Setting up a router is simple and most manufacturers include some type of walkthrough, so that shouldn't be anything to worry about.

So now you can connect the internet via your wireless modem anything I was unclear over?

 

A few things:
You could also get the router online, at Newegg or such (perhaps better if you're going for something fancy...).

I'd also say all notebooks from retail in the last few years have integrated wireless, and some recent desktops have it, too, but I wouldn't count on it. The integrated wireless on the desktop could be crappy, too... I don't know. If it is, you can buy PCI or USB wireless cards pretty easy.

 

I know all the laptops that would be used have the built in wireless. The desktop is old so probably not. Would the new modem that the phone company send have that included?

 

That will depend if the phone company has that option and you or your parents asked for it. Most ppl tend to just get a modem and buy a router themselves.

 

where ya from?

 

i think all verizon modems have build in router. so no need of another router.
on the other hand, cable suppliers provide modem only.