Some basic setup information needed

Hi Guys,

Have just got my HP Pavilion DV8308tx notebook and wanted some information with regards to what I will need to get an internet connection set up at home.

I will most likely have to go in for a wireless setup but wanted to know what equipment I'd need. I only have the one notebook so don't need to connect to any other computer at home.

Your help would be much appreciated. Also I've noticed with the wireless offers they offer either a wireless modem or a wireless card. What's the difference between the two?

Sorry for the dumb questions but you might have guessed by now that I'm a beginner so any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Erle

 

1 You will need high speed access first of all: DSN or Cable internet service.

You will need a modem depending upon your service. Some modems are integrated with routers. I personally chose a separate modem and router.

2 Setting up a wireless network can be a chore, if you don't know what you're doing. Netgear, Belkin and D-Link has step by step directions. The quality of Netgear and Belkin are rated highly (check www.cnet.com). I bought a D-Link MIMO router (2 built in and 2 external antennae).

Depending upon the size of your house and where you place your router dictates the range you will get. If you don't have a 'built in wireless card' with an integrated antenna than runs along the inside of the frame of your LCD, your range will not be as good as a network/wireless card.

3 If you don't have built in wireless in the notebook, you need one. Check the specs.

Most people are using Wireless G or some variant which gives about 54 MPS or as high as 108 MPS.

A new 'standard' is being sorted out (tentatively wireless N) that has higher transfer rates and longer distance.

 

Hi titaniummd,

Thanks for the quick response, but am not really worried about range as will be using it in just one room...and the notebook definately has wireless integrated.

Erle

 

Hi Guys,

I will definately need a wireless connection so am not sure what I'd need to get this set up.

Since there is only one notebook involved would I still need an router.

Thanks,

Erle

 

Youll need a wireless router and I recomend wpa encryption. It is fast and easy to use as well as the most secure on the consumer market. I alwasy recomend using different pieces (ie firewall, switch, router and wap all seperate). But we are not getting into that. Look for a linksys wireless router, they go for ~$40 give or take. Just make sure that it has wpa. From there youll need to pull an ip from your ISP, and then setting up ssid broadcast and wpa encryption and bam your set. Those steps are all braod because all routers are different as well as different ISP's require different ways of getting a public ip address.