1st, you need to know if your laptop is wireless capable already, and if it is, does it need enabling? If it is chances are (and i'm assuming you are working with XP/windows, and not a Mac) there will be a bunch of wireless options in your control panel, and it will likely list it in your network connections. If Your not sure, look in your device manager (control panel > system > Hardware) and look to see if you akready have PCMCIA bus controllers installed.
Activating them is just a case of either opening the relevant connection in network connections, or if it's not there, creating a new connection, but chances are when you get your router, you'll have sofware to set up the connection and your computer will do all of this for you.
If your Laptop is not already wireless enabled, you'll need an adapter, either aPCMCIA Card (http://www.broadbandstuff.co.uk/index.php?cPath=26_33_89&osCsid=f3782fd5ef924346da012fb1274165c6) or a USB adapter (http://www.broadbandstuff.co.uk/index.php?cPath=26_33_90&osCsid=f3782fd5ef924346da012fb1274165c6)(bear with the UK sites - the kit is much the same all over.)
Next, you'll need to get a router. Now, most ISP's will provide you with one, sometimes free as part of the deal, but mostly you have to pay for them, so it's worth finding out the make and model of the router you'd get off them and googling it for it's spec's - you may be able to find a better/cheaper/both one else where. (This is just my opinion here, but if I were you, look for one which will give you both wireless and an ethernet connection for your laptop, as when doing long d/l's it's better to have a more reliable wired connection :))
And as a basic setup, that's pretty much it. Once that lot's sorted, you may find you have problems with coverage/signal in some places, in which case you can invest in an access point (http://www.broadbandstuff.co.uk/index.php?cPath=26_33_86&osCsid=f3782fd5ef924346da012fb1274165c6) which acts to extend the network coverage and alows more devices (like printers etc) to be attached, (but again, IMHO stick with wires there too. Wireless is a good excuse to invest in a docking station, which saves time, mess, frustration and broken cables).
BIG FAT HUGGLY APOLOGIES if all that dribble above has been an exersise in teaching you to suck eggs, and i hope it helps. You can always poke me if you want more info, but not being of your native lands, i can;t really help with which ISP etc to go for.
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Date: 2006-08-03 03:59 pm (UTC)Activating them is just a case of either opening the relevant connection in network connections, or if it's not there, creating a new connection, but chances are when you get your router, you'll have sofware to set up the connection and your computer will do all of this for you.
If your Laptop is not already wireless enabled, you'll need an adapter, either aPCMCIA Card (http://www.broadbandstuff.co.uk/index.php?cPath=26_33_89&osCsid=f3782fd5ef924346da012fb1274165c6) or a USB adapter (http://www.broadbandstuff.co.uk/index.php?cPath=26_33_90&osCsid=f3782fd5ef924346da012fb1274165c6)(bear with the UK sites - the kit is much the same all over.)
Next, you'll need to get a router. Now, most ISP's will provide you with one, sometimes free as part of the deal, but mostly you have to pay for them, so it's worth finding out the make and model of the router you'd get off them and googling it for it's spec's - you may be able to find a better/cheaper/both one else where. (This is just my opinion here, but if I were you, look for one which will give you both wireless and an ethernet connection for your laptop, as when doing long d/l's it's better to have a more reliable wired connection :))
And as a basic setup, that's pretty much it. Once that lot's sorted, you may find you have problems with coverage/signal in some places, in which case you can invest in an access point (http://www.broadbandstuff.co.uk/index.php?cPath=26_33_86&osCsid=f3782fd5ef924346da012fb1274165c6) which acts to extend the network coverage and alows more devices (like printers etc) to be attached, (but again, IMHO stick with wires there too. Wireless is a good excuse to invest in a docking station, which saves time, mess, frustration and broken cables).
BIG FAT HUGGLY APOLOGIES if all that dribble above has been an exersise in teaching you to suck eggs, and i hope it helps. You can always poke me if you want more info, but not being of your native lands, i can;t really help with which ISP etc to go for.