Wireless 101 question

(I don't even pretend to understand much about computers, so please make your replies very basic.)

I have an Acer Aspire One, XP-3, and it works fine. I bought it to use on trips where I can hook into wireless networks in motels, libraries, and other public places. At home I have two desktop computers (Vista and W2000) which are connected by cable. Either one can connect to my ISP via dialup phone line.

Is there an EASY way to add a device to one of my home computers so that it will emit a wireless signal which my AAO could receive at home, so that I could use that to download the Microsoft updates and my antivirus updates?

Enlightenment appreciated.

 

You are picking up MS updates via a Dial-Up phone link ?? :shock: I think I need to buy more stock in the phonecompanies

You could install a WiFi card in one of your desktop pc's, and use Microsofts Internet Connection Sharing software to share the dial up line with your AAO. Beware though, it will be slow.

A better solution though, would be to ditch your dial up link, and get cable or ADSL. Then just get a WiiFi router, and connect to the cable or ADSL modem, plug the desktop machines in the WiFi router, and connect wirelessly with the AAO.

 

DutchDK wrote: "You could install a WiFi card in one of your desktop pc's, ... ".

Does this card plug into a USB socket, or must one open up the computer case to install it? Going inside scares me!

"A better solution though, would be to ditch your dial up link ... ".

True for many reasons, but not an option for me. :-(

Other suggestions welcome, including brands/models/styles of "WiFi cards".

Thanks.

 

You can get USB based WiFi adapters. Most major network equipment manufacturers make USB based WiFi adapters, including Linksys, D-Link, and ZyXEL just to mention a few.
Normally they also have a bundle where you buy a WiFi Router and a USB adapter in one package.
That way you can network your two desktop PC's and your AAO, so you can share folders and documents between them. You can still setup ICS on one of the desktop PC's, and then you can share your dial-up access to the internet from all three computers at the same time. I am guessing that both desktop PC's probably allready have a network card installed in them (Most desktop PC's manufactured in this century have a NIC - "Network Interface Card" - installed or included on the motherboard), so connecting them to the WiFi router is just a question of plugging a network cable in. Finally you need to setup ICS on the desktop PC that will dial up to the ISP, and tell it to share the dial-up connection through the network. The AAO will then connect to the WiFi router just like you do at any other WiFi hotspot. An added advantage, is that if you at some time get ADSL, Fiber or Cable, you can ditch the ICS setup, and just plug the WiFi router into the ADSL/Fiber/Cable modem.

If you just purchase an USB adapter, you have to install the driversoftware for the USB adapter on your desktop PC that will be connecting to the internet. Then you need to setup an Ad-Hoc Wifi (not an Infrastructure) connection between your AAO and the desktop PC. Finally you need to setup ICS on the desktop PC, so it shares the Dial-Up connection with the now WiFi connected AAO.

The ICS part you can read about here : http://www.home-network-help.com/ics-host.html for Vista. The procedure is almost the same for W2K. You can read about that here : http://www.petri.co.il/configuring_ics_ ... s_2000.htm

Hope that will help you. Personally though, if I were you, I'd just wait updating the AAO until you are at a WiFi hotspot next time you are at one of the motels, libraries or other public connection points you talked about - Chances are hight that those wifi hotspots are connected to the net by something faster than the proverbial tincans and fishingline you are using . I must admit that downloading forinstance XP Service Pack 3 via Dial-Up at a rate of max 5.6 Kilobytes pr second, doesn't sound very appealing nor costeffective

 

DutchDK wrote: "You can get USB based WiFi adapters. ... ".

Thanks for the long and informative post. I went shopping today, and became a bit more confused when I received some information apparently at odds with your post. I was told that "WiFi adaptors", which were available in the $40-80 range, are basically receivers, not transmitters, and would not do what I would like to do. I was told by the store clerks (not the best source of computer information, I agree) that I would need to get a router and a modem (was told I couldn't use the modem in my desktop), as well as the adapter for each desktop. I was told that the router would do the transmitting of the signal from the modem to each of the 2 desktops and the AAO.

At that point I saw the wisdom of your final remarks, which were: "if I were you, I'd just wait updating the AAO until you are at a WiFi hotspot next time you are at one of the motels, libraries or other public connection points you talked about ...".

Thanks again, and best regards.

 

The store clerks you spoke with are dofusses. Let me rephrase that - They are imbeciles.
Next time they say that, just ask them this : If a WiFi adapter is basically only a receiver, and the router takes care of transmitting, how on earth would you then be able to upload anything to the internet from the PC, since the PC only has the WiFi adapter ?!?!
The radio in any WiFi equipment is two way - Transmit and Receive. If it wasn't, it wouldn't be able to associate to a WiiFi accesspoiint or WiFi Router. They should go read up on the stuff they are selling. Even Wikipedia woould suffice to get an understanding of the technology : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireless_LAN .

Trust me on this : It will work with just a WiFi adapter. I've been in the IT business since the tiime a 300 Baud modem was the norm, and a 1200/75 baud modem was considered fast and state of the art - Comms infrastructure is what I do, and I've forgotten more about WiFi than most people ever learn, and I STILL know more about that stuff, than 98% of all IT engineers and techs.
I'm willing to put my money where my mouth is : Go ahead and purchase an USB WiFi adapter, then PM me, and I'll walk you through the set up of ICS via the forums, or on IM, so it works with your internal PC modem and the WiFi adapter. If it won't work, I'll personally send you the money you spent on the USB adapter by Western Union. See if you can get the same kind of guarantee from any of the store clerks

 

DutchDK wrote: "Trust me on this : It will work with just a WiFi adapter. ... If it won't work, I'll personally send you the money you spent on the USB adapter ... ".

Wow, what an offer! I'll think about that for a few days and get back to you. Thanks again for being so helpful.

Best regards.