Wireless Computer Connection

Okay. I don't want to do any research on the subject. I was hoping one of you had done it already. I want to hook up every computer, every printer, everything I can think of to a wireless hub.

Any ideas?

[Slipped Mickey]

Yeah before you start: Schedule a few days off. Tell friends and family you won't be available for a while. Buy a case of whiskey and a case of frozen pizza. You might also want to consider buying cigarettes if you don't already smoke them. Enroll in an anger management class to begin the week after you think you'll have the project completed. Have the Microsoft Tech Support 800 number and your credit card handy before you start.

Yeah before you start: Schedule a few days off. Tell friends and family you won't be available for a while. Buy a case of whiskey and a case of frozen pizza. You might also want to consider buying cigarettes if you don't already smoke them. Enroll in an anger management class to begin the week after you think you'll have the project completed. Have the Microsoft Tech Support 800 number and your credit card handy before you start.


So, I'm being unrealistic to think USB plug and play, huh? :o

[jeny]

It tok my husband about an hour to hook the scanner and three printers to all 4 computers in the house. We have cable modem, which is downstairs in his office. My laptop travels to whatever part of the house I want it to and MY printer and scanner nd stuff is set up in the dining room.


I don't know how he did it. But if it helps, there is a card sticking out of my laptop, that says "SMC" and there is a box next to the modem and main computer downstairs that says the same thing. We are on the internet at the same time a lot and we print to our various printers and scan and stuff without regard to what the other is doing at that moment with no problems. He also does some kind of crap with his video editing computers that have no effect on my computing abilities as far as I can tell.

[buzaw]

It tok my husband about an hour to hook the scanner and three printers to all 4 computers in the house. We have cable modem, which is downstairs in his office. My laptop travels to whatever part of the house I want it to and MY printer and scanner nd stuff is set up in the dining room.


I don't know how he did it. But if it helps, there is a card sticking out of my laptop, that says "SMC" and there is a box next to the modem and main computer downstairs that says the same thing. We are on the internet at the same time a lot and we print to our various printers and scan and stuff without regard to what the other is doing at that moment with no problems. He also does some kind of crap with his video editing computers that have no effect on my computing abilities as far as I can tell.


Are you using wireless networking to do all this? I tried a wireless network on 2 computers with some problems so I wired them direct.

[BrandonL]

First, get yourself a wireless router with a switch and print server (there are several manufacturers that have these-Linksys being one). You can research them on cnet.com for some reviews.

Then, you'll want to get wireless cards for each of your computers. For the desktops-you can just get USB wireless, for laptops-just get the PC Card wireless cards.

You'll want to stay within the same brand, even though it's a standard-it's just good practice.

Hook the printer up to the router, you'll also hook your DSL or Cable Modem to the router. If you have dial up, there's something else you can do (just let me know if that's what you have).

There are instructions in the router to hook all this together-it's really not that difficult. Windows XP will come with built in drivers for the wireless cards, 2K or 9x you'll have to load them on. You'll set it to "infrastructure" mode (it's in the set up guide) and you'll have them all connected.

Now, here's where problems can turn up:
Your house has metal studs (causes signal loss)
Your house has a lot of walls (the range of 802.11b is only about 300-400 feet LOS)

You might also want to look at 802.11a-it's a lot faster, but costs more. Some routers will be backward compatible with 802.11b devices-so look for those.

The only other problem you may encounter is file sharing between the computers. The way I've got it set up is I set up a domain, and all machines connect to that. makes sharing easier-but, if you are just goign to do a workgroup, set all machines to the same workgroup. That's a discussion for AFTER you set up the network though. You need the infrastructure first.

let me know if this clears anything up for ya :) Feel free to email me if you need help outside the forum

[Jethro Tull]

BN ~ Brandonl probably has the technical stuff right, but I would pay close attention to Mickey too on the prep work.

Don't listen to jeny! Remember this is the woman who was FINISHED her Christmas shopping AND had her cards addressed by Halloween, for crying out loud! I suspect she is an alien subversive sent here to demoralize the entire human race in preparation for a full-scale invasion. Not to mention that her Mother-in-law is DEFINITELY an alien . . .

[jeny]

BN ~ Brandonl probably has the technical stuff right, but I would pay close attention to Mickey too on the prep work.

Don't listen to jeny! Remember this is the woman who was FINISHED her Christmas shopping AND had her cards addressed by Halloween, for crying out loud! I suspect she is an alien subversive sent here to demoralize the entire human race in preparation for a full-scale invasion. Not to mention that her Mother-in-law is DEFINITELY an alien . . .


:D You made me laugh.