What do I need for a wireless internet connection?

I just bought a used laptop. It is a Fujitsu Lifebook I. It runs on Windows XP. My question in how do I inquire wireless Internet from my desktop? My desktop has Bellsouth dsl Internet access. I believe I need to buy a router and a notebook card, but what kind? I really do not know much about wireless networking, so please be as specific as possible.

Thanks!

 

Yes, you need a wireless router. LINKSYS, D-Link, and Netgear are well-known brands. LINKSYS WRT54G is one of the more economically priced routers on the market and should work fine for you.

Can you tell us the exact model of your laptop? That would be helpful in determining what you need for it to work with a wireless router.

 

You need a Wireless Cable/DSL Router.

It is a device (size of a book) that connects between the Internet's Modem and the networked computers.

This device Routes (direct) the Internet to the appropriate computer.

You can plug in 4 computers with cable, and many computers can connect wirelessly to the Internet and between them self (Network Sharing).

The system would be connected like this, http://www.ezlan.net/network/router.jpg


More about Routers here, http://www.ezlan.net/routers1.html


When using DSLThe Router can be set to maintain the connection On without log on.

See here, http://www.ezlan.net/PPPOE.html

What to buy? See here, http://www.ezlan.net/buffalo.html

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I still need a notebook card, right?

Thanks

 

Depends on your computer. It may have wireless receiving capability built-in.

 

I'm postive it doesnt have wireless built in the computer. It is an older laptop. How can I find out the exact model of the laptop? Also, do you think this router is any good? http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Buff...84832/catOid/-12980/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

Thanks

 

Look on the bottom of your laptop. The model is probably shown there on a label or imprinted into the case itself.

I'm not familiar with the Buffalo brand but, based on the user reviews posted on Circuit City and at http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833162017, it seems to be a good product. I think I"d take advantage of the rebate offer at Circuit City and get it.

Edit: On the other hand, since you'll need to buy some type of receiver device to attach to your laptop, a package such as D-Link DWL-923 DI-524 IEEE 802.11g IEEE 802.11b IEEE 802.3 IEEE 802.3u DWL-G630 IEEE 802.11g IEEE 802.11b Wireless G Laptop Starter Kit might actually cost less than getting the Buffalo router and then buying a receiver device separately, if the Cardbus Adapter that comes with it is the type of device that will work with your laptop. The DI-524 router in this package is what I'm using. Mine came with a USB receiver instead of a Cardbus Adapter. I'm not using the USB receiver because my Notebook PC has built-in Wifi.

 

Fujitsu Lifebook i-4170, is all the info I could find on the bottom. Do you think Wal-Mart or circuit city would offer a package like such as the one on newegg.com. I rather buy it from an actual store than online, just in case I need to take it back. Thank you so much for responding; you don’t know how much I appreciate it.

 

I did not find your laptop on Fujitsu's website. But, I found another website that sells parts for it; this site indicates you need a PCMCIA card. I believe this card, sold by Circuit City, might be suitable: Netgear 802.11g Wireless laptop adapter.

I suggest you take your laptop into Circuit City. One of their sales people can probably help you select a card that will work with your laptop.

Let us know how it goes.

 

I am going to go ahead and order the router and PCMCIA card that you suggested from circuitcity.com. I will let you know how it goes. thanks again.