How to add a second computer?

[Spacemom]

I currently have one computer hooked up with cable internet. We're going to be getting my son his own computer, and I'm not sure how to hook his up to our connection. Am I correct in thinking I'm going to need a wireless router? Also, what do I need to be sure and get for his computer to pick up the wireless signal?

Thanks from the semi computer illiterate. :D

[CK_John]

1. What type of computer will your son get, a laptop or desktop and do you have a wireless cable

modem or a wired cable modem. Make and model # will be a big help. Depending what you have it could be a piece of cake or slightly more complex.

[Spacemom]

2. Most likely we'll get him a desktop

my desktop is hooked in with a wired cable modem. I'm assuming I'll have to hook his in wirelessly because I don't want to have to run lines through the house to his room.

Thanks for helping. :)

[CK_John]

3. Wireless adapter for new desktop. link below

Here is an adapter that you can pop in to the new computer. There also USB plugins but this one has enough cable to move the antenna around for best reception.

newegg link
<http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833127136>

product page
<http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=306>

Caution; the new machine needs an empty PCI slot and check on the D=link page for Visa compatible (I think it is).

For your machine you may need to add one of these;
newegg
<http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833105123>
to connect to a wireless access point with a RJ45 cable.

This is the companion to the adapter in the new computer.
newegg
<http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833127139&Tpk=DWL%2b7100AP>

Assumptions: Your wired cable modem is a broadband connection and NOT DSL.
The modem is connected to your computer by an RJ45 cable and NOT USB.
There are many ways to do this but this method does not require getting the cable company involved.

[Hokie]

11. I second the advice to get a router

I ran Internet Connection Sharing (ICS)years back when all I could get was dial up and I had a second phone line. I kept one PC connected to the ISP 24 hours a day. When I got DSL i got a router and would never go back to ICS. You should be able to get a decent wireless router for $40 or less. Even standard 11G speeds are much faster than any DSL or cable Internet connection. You only need Super G or N if you need to transfer huge files between PC's very fast.

[DavidMS]

12. I've never liked wireless

Its flaky and a pain to configure and secure (and thats comming from an IT guy). Wired networking just works, while wireless tends to flake out at bad times and is difficult to secure via encryption. Get a Router (Linksys WRT54GL), plug the cable modem into it and the desktops into the cable modem.

If you want to use a wireless network, get adapters (PCI cards) from the same brand to reduce headaches if you every need to call tech support. If you are not comfortable cracking the case, get USB adapters. I like PCI cards because once installed and working they are a little more foolproof. If a desktop is any distance from the router you may need high gain antenna(s).

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

4. Look at the back of the cable modem.

How many network jacks are back there?

[Spacemom]

5. Just one

there's one that says ethernet that goes from the modem to my computer. the other is a phone jack and then the spot where the cable hooks in.

[hobbit709]

6. Then you need to get a router.

That will let you connect several computers to the internet. If you don't want to string cable to a different room, use a wireless router. I've never had any problem with Netgear, easy setup and configuration.

[CK_John]

7. Why not add another PCI nic card? n/t

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

8. Get the router.

It's cheap and works well. Connection sharing is a pain in the ass.

Geck NewEgg for great prices on routers.

[RC]

9. The internal slots seem to be going away. USB is the wave of the future.

[Dont_Bogart_the_Pretzel]

10. That PC with the second Nic will have to be on all the time,

and when it gets rebooted, the internet connection goes down too...

[Gore1FL]

13. Just get a router

You can pick up a Linksys for for $50-$60 bucks. If the PC you are buying is new, then it probabvaly already has a wireless interface in it. If not, you can pick a USB one for $20 with a quick check in google shopping.

Change the SSID to something other than Linksys and make sure you set the wireless up with WPA or WP2 security, set a long password with numbers and mixed upper and lower case (you only have to type it a couple of times)-- ie:

1R3allyd0n0tl1k3R3publ1can50n3b1t

Make sure his PC is set to connect een if the router is not broadcasting.

Once everything is set up, turn off the "Broadcast SSID" and perhaps turn on MAC address filtering and only allow his PC.

No one will see the network name, no one will know the password, and no other card can get in unless someone knows the right MAC and reconfigures their own to match.


You'll be pretty secure.

[lpbk2713]

14. Go with a router. It will give you an extra level of security.

They are reasonably priced and worth it IMHO.