Set up wireless network without PC

Hello,

I have a really old PC that has no ethernet ports (only phone ports for
a dial-up connection). With the PC, I connected to to the internet via
the USB port.

I've finally got a new laptop and would like to set up a wireless
network.

1) Is there a way to configure a wireless network with just the modem
and wireless router (without a pc)?

2) or is there a way (or product) that allows configuration of a
wireless network without an ethernet port (my really old pc does have
usb port)?

i appreciate your help. thanks in advance.

On 7 Aug 2006 21:03:23 -0700, (E-Mail Removed) wrote in
<(E-Mail Removed) .com>:

>I have a really old PC that has no ethernet ports (only phone ports for
>a dial-up connection). With the PC, I connected to to the internet via
>the USB port.
>
>I've finally got a new laptop and would like to set up a wireless
>network.
>
>1) Is there a way to configure a wireless network with just the modem
>and wireless router (without a pc)?
>
>2) or is there a way (or product) that allows configuration of a
>wireless network without an ethernet port (my really old pc does have
>usb port)?

How about the new laptop?

You can configure a wireless access point or router over wireless with
any computer that has a wireless adapter.

--
Best regards, FAQ for Wireless Internet: <http://Wireless.wikia.com>
John Navas FAQ for Wi-Fi: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi>
Wi-Fi How To: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_HowTo>
Fixes to Wi-Fi Problems: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_Fixes>

(E-Mail Removed) wrote:
> Hello,
>
> I have a really old PC that has no ethernet ports (only phone ports
> for a dial-up connection). With the PC, I connected to to the
> internet via the USB port.
>
> I've finally got a new laptop and would like to set up a wireless
> network.
>
> 1) Is there a way to configure a wireless network with just the modem
> and wireless router (without a pc)?
>
> 2) or is there a way (or product) that allows configuration of a
> wireless network without an ethernet port (my really old pc does have
> usb port)?
>
> i appreciate your help. thanks in advance.

Check out the WiFlyer at http://www.wiflyer.com/StoreFront.bok

It's an AP that can use high speed if available, but also has a dial-up
modem built in... (you set it to use dial-up or an ethernet connect), and
just leave your computer set to use the SSID of wiflyer (or whatever name
you change it to)...
Instant wireless network and a built in modem, about $130.... (fits in your
pocket, I use it in motels when travelling so I can use dial-up over
wireless if no wifi at the hotel)

John Navas wrote:
> On 7 Aug 2006 21:03:23 -0700, (E-Mail Removed) wrote in
> <(E-Mail Removed) .com>:
>
> >I have a really old PC that has no ethernet ports (only phone ports for
> >a dial-up connection). With the PC, I connected to to the internet via
> >the USB port.
> >
> >I've finally got a new laptop and would like to set up a wireless
> >network.
> >
> >1) Is there a way to configure a wireless network with just the modem
> >and wireless router (without a pc)?
> >
> >2) or is there a way (or product) that allows configuration of a
> >wireless network without an ethernet port (my really old pc does have
> >usb port)?
>
> How about the new laptop?
>
> You can configure a wireless access point or router over wireless with
> any computer that has a wireless adapter.
>
> --
> Best regards, FAQ for Wireless Internet: <http://Wireless.wikia.com>
> John Navas FAQ for Wi-Fi: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi>
> Wi-Fi How To: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_HowTo>
> Fixes to Wi-Fi Problems: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_Fixes>

Why not just get youself another usb wireless adapter, your old
computer should have more than one usb port. If your connecting your
cable, dsl modem to a usb port, you might want to consider getting a
cheap ethernet nic. You can pick them up for as little as 5 bucks. It
will be lots faster then USB 1.1, and frees up the port.

You might also want to consider what type of security you have to the
internet, if your just using the old computer without a firewall, then
you should invest in something more secure. Maybe pick up a cheap
wireless router, and go that route.

Rthoreau

On 8 Aug 2006 08:28:30 -0700, (E-Mail Removed) wrote in
<(E-Mail Removed) .com>:

>
>John Navas wrote:
>> On 7 Aug 2006 21:03:23 -0700, (E-Mail Removed) wrote in
>> <(E-Mail Removed) .com>:
>>
>> >I have a really old PC that has no ethernet ports (only phone ports for
>> >a dial-up connection). With the PC, I connected to to the internet via
>> >the USB port.
>> >
>> >I've finally got a new laptop and would like to set up a wireless
>> >network.
>> >
>> >1) Is there a way to configure a wireless network with just the modem
>> >and wireless router (without a pc)?
>> >
>> >2) or is there a way (or product) that allows configuration of a
>> >wireless network without an ethernet port (my really old pc does have
>> >usb port)?
>>
>> How about the new laptop?
>>
>> You can configure a wireless access point or router over wireless with
>> any computer that has a wireless adapter.

>Why not just get youself another usb wireless adapter, your old
>computer should have more than one usb port.

The "really old PC" might be running Windows 98, which (even SE) is
problematic with USB.

>If your connecting your
>cable, dsl modem to a usb port, you might want to consider getting a
>cheap ethernet nic. You can pick them up for as little as 5 bucks. It
>will be lots faster then USB 1.1, and frees up the port.

Better idea.

--
Best regards, FAQ for Wireless Internet: <http://Wireless.wikia.com>
John Navas FAQ for Wi-Fi: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi>
Wi-Fi How To: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_HowTo>
Fixes to Wi-Fi Problems: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_Fixes>

(E-Mail Removed) wrote:
> Hello,

> I have a really old PC that has no ethernet ports (only phone ports for
> a dial-up connection). With the PC, I connected to to the internet via
> the USB port.

Is that a cable modem?
My cable modem is also an ethernet bridge. It has a USB port and an
ethernet port that could each be used for internet if your cable account
allows two computers to be connected at the same time.

If it only allows one, you could use either USB or ethernet, toggling back
and forth at a web browser configuration screen, if it's set up like my
Mediacom cable.

> I've finally got a new laptop and would like to set up a wireless
> network.

> 1) Is there a way to configure a wireless network with just the modem
> and wireless router (without a pc)?

Assuming that your modem has an ethernet port, installing a wireless router
would be the normal way to proceed. My choice today would be the Netgear
WGB511 802.11g Wireless Networking Kit $44.99.
This is the WGR614v4 Router and WG511 CardBus card that I have.
<http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000117DGW/ref=pd_luc_mri/002-5316337-0500825?%5Fencoding=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&v=glance>

The Netgear by itself is $27.99 after a $10 rebate.
Then you would add some usb-Wifi adapter to the old PC and access the
internet through the new router. You might like the "NETGEAR WG111
Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter" for $19.99.

You don't say how old the old PC is. USB is troublesome for Windows 98,
but you are already running the internet connection, so you might be okay,
or you might go for a wired connection, if you have an available PCI slot.
The "Netgear GA311 Gigabit PCI Adapter " is $19.99.

> 2) or is there a way (or product) that allows configuration of a
> wireless network without an ethernet port (my really old pc does have
> usb port)?

It is possible to skip the router. You have a USB connection supplying
internet into your old PC. If there is another USB port, or you add a USB
hub, you could use a usb-WiFi adapter in ad-hoc mode to supply internet to
your laptop. That might limit the access speed of your laptop.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/u...02april08.mspx

--
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Clarence A Dold - Hidden Valley Lake, CA, USA GPS: 38.8,-122.5