How do I go about setting up a wireless laptop connection?

Already running one Desktop linked to a Broadband Service Provider. Would
like to connect a laptop to this so we can use it 'wireless' in the house.
Am fairly good working with what I've got and muddle through the 'Techi'
bits, but what do I need to do to set this up? Can I use a Wizard to help me
and if so, do I need to buy something first to enable me to use a wireless
set-up?
All help gratefully received! Thank you.

Hi
To share an Intent connection between few computers you need a Router.
To have Wireless you need a Wireless source (Wireless Router/Access Point).
I do not know if you have the hardware and there is No Wizard that can
replace real knowledge.
The content of the following links will provide you with a basic tutorial
about Sharing Internet and using Wire & Wireless; it is short and to the
point. Few of the pages were written by me ages ago. You might ignore the
prices, and the specific choice of hardware, stick with the principles, they
are still the same. Basic Options for Internet Connection Sharing -
http://www.anandtech.com/guides/viewfaq.html?i=105 Hubs, routers, switches,
DSL, LANs, WANs...? - http://www.anandtech.com/guides/viewfaq.html?i=48
Wireless Principles - http://www.anandtech.com/guides/viewfaq.html?i=122
Connection Diagram With Cable/DSL Router:
http://www.ezlan.net/network/router.jpg Wireless hardware:
http://www.ezlan.net/Wireless_Hardware.html My New Wireless does not work -
http://www.ezlan.net/wireless.html Wireless - Basic Configuration:
http://www.ezlan.net/Wireless_Config.html Wireless - Basic Security:
http://www.ezlan.net/Wireless_Security.html Jack (MVP-Networking).

"Carrie" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:26079723-1CFB-47F0-961B-(E-Mail Removed)...
> Already running one Desktop linked to a Broadband Service Provider. Would
> like to connect a laptop to this so we can use it 'wireless' in the house.
> Am fairly good working with what I've got and muddle through the 'Techi'
> bits, but what do I need to do to set this up? Can I use a Wizard to help
> me
> and if so, do I need to buy something first to enable me to use a wireless
> set-up?
> All help gratefully received! Thank you.

I'd strongly recommend your purchase a wireless router.
You really want the protection of a router if you have an always on
Broadband connection.

What operating system is on the laptop?

On Wed, 30 May 2007 12:53:01 -0700, Carrie
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>Already running one Desktop linked to a Broadband Service Provider. Would
>like to connect a laptop to this so we can use it 'wireless' in the house.
>Am fairly good working with what I've got and muddle through the 'Techi'
>bits, but what do I need to do to set this up? Can I use a Wizard to help me
>and if so, do I need to buy something first to enable me to use a wireless
>set-up?
>All help gratefully received! Thank you.
--

Barb Bowman
MS Windows-MVP
Expert Zone & Vista Community Columnist
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/e...ts/bowman.mspx
http://blogs.digitalmediaphile.com/barb/

Thanks for your reply, someone else recommends a router too. Am running
Windows XP so should be straight forward shouldn't it?

"Barb Bowman" wrote:

> I'd strongly recommend your purchase a wireless router.
> You really want the protection of a router if you have an always on
> Broadband connection.
>
> What operating system is on the laptop?
>
> On Wed, 30 May 2007 12:53:01 -0700, Carrie
> <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>
> >Already running one Desktop linked to a Broadband Service Provider. Would
> >like to connect a laptop to this so we can use it 'wireless' in the house.
> >Am fairly good working with what I've got and muddle through the 'Techi'
> >bits, but what do I need to do to set this up? Can I use a Wizard to help me
> >and if so, do I need to buy something first to enable me to use a wireless
> >set-up?
> >All help gratefully received! Thank you.
> --
>
> Barb Bowman
> MS Windows-MVP
> Expert Zone & Vista Community Columnist
> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/e...ts/bowman.mspx
> http://blogs.digitalmediaphile.com/barb/
>

Yes, it should be. There are lots and lots of choices for routers.
The cheapest is not necessarily the best. Make sure the router you
select has support for WPA2 security if at all possible. ( see
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/u...ssecurity.mspx
for some tips that might be useful)

The D-Lin DGL-4300 router is one that I found to be a really top
performer in XP (and Vista). See
http://computers.pricegrabber.com/wi...earch=DGL-4300

It's on the higher priced side, but it is rock solid. Others may
have different recommendations. I currently use a D-Link DIR-655
(draft N) but there is no guarantee of compatibility with the
upcoming final "N" standard.

On Wed, 30 May 2007 13:20:02 -0700, Carrie
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>Thanks for your reply, someone else recommends a router too. Am running
>Windows XP so should be straight forward shouldn't it?
>
>"Barb Bowman" wrote:
>
>> I'd strongly recommend your purchase a wireless router.
>> You really want the protection of a router if you have an always on
>> Broadband connection.
>>
>> What operating system is on the laptop?
>>
>> On Wed, 30 May 2007 12:53:01 -0700, Carrie
>> <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>>
>> >Already running one Desktop linked to a Broadband Service Provider. Would
>> >like to connect a laptop to this so we can use it 'wireless' in the house.
>> >Am fairly good working with what I've got and muddle through the 'Techi'
>> >bits, but what do I need to do to set this up? Can I use a Wizard to help me
>> >and if so, do I need to buy something first to enable me to use a wireless
>> >set-up?
>> >All help gratefully received! Thank you.
>> --
>>
>> Barb Bowman
>> MS Windows-MVP
>> Expert Zone & Vista Community Columnist
>> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/e...ts/bowman.mspx
>> http://blogs.digitalmediaphile.com/barb/
>>
--

Barb Bowman
MS Windows-MVP
Expert Zone & Vista Community Columnist
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/e...ts/bowman.mspx
http://blogs.digitalmediaphile.com/barb/