Hi, i am trying to install a Belkin wireless router so my mom is able to use the internet on her PC downstairs. Belkin only gave us one ethernet cable that goes from a network to the slot in the router and you need another from the modem to the router.

The problem is that i don't have a network card and the modem is connected to my PC througha USB cable. Do i need a network card or could i just buy an usb to ethernet converter and use the usb port to act as a connection to my PC?

BTW the PC downstairs is using a usb dongle to recieve the info.

Does the router have a built in modem ?

If it doesn't then you have bought the wrong thing by the sounds of it.

Take it back if you can and get one with a modem that is integrated...otherwise basically....creek..paddle tends to come to mind

they told me that because i had blueyonder broad band i wouldn't need a built in one because i don't need it. He said that because my original modem has a built in ehternet slot then i could just plug this in.

Many routers allow you to access them as if you were connected to the ethernet port, through the USB port - if you have any new network devices listed, it's more than likely it has been set up like this.

Otherwise, if the router's USB port is only for maintenance, it's a case of a network card and another patch cable - network cards are sooo cheap though (cheap one from Sheffield based ebuyer (http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?rb=7044600385&action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=42061) for instance)... you can get a patch cable from there too... annoyingly though you can't pick up from eBuyer...

Originally posted by 367squadron
The problem is that i don't have a network card and the modem is connected to my PC througha USB cable. Do i need a network card or could i just buy an usb to ethernet converter and use the usb port to act as a connection to my PC?
I suggest you get a cheap 10/100 network card and a network cable. Any half decent PC shop should have such items in stock. As a last resort PC World will have what you want but you'll pay through the nose.

Make sure you get the right type of network cable to go from your router to your PC, there are two types.

If its a wireless router just buy a wifi card might be a little more expensive but you dont have the wires trailing all over the house. Your router will detect the card when you connect it and put it on active search set permissions within the router to allow the newly acquired card access to files and the internet and your worted.

Other wise a nic card £10 and a long ethernat cable your router will be plug n play plug it on and your off unless you got a win 9x system downstairs if so you may have to configure it if its XP it will do it for you.

Originally posted by Soupy
If its a wireless router just buy a wifi card might be a little more expensive but you dont have the wires trailing all over the house. Your router will detect the card when you connect it and put it on active search set permissions within the router to allow the newly acquired card access to files and the internet and your worted.


I think you're missing the point that without a network card in his PC he can't configure the router to allow his wireless networking to work.

Originally posted by sanman
I think you're missing the point that without a network card in his PC he can't configure the router to allow his wireless networking to work.
That, and the fact the argument falls down when you consider the existing modem is next to the PC as it's a USB one. The router won't be much further away so I wouldn't consider a 2m patch lead "trailing all over the house". :wink:

Also, wires are better for reliability, if there's a router next to a PC then there is no point in using wireless for this bit. I only use wireless for the laptop.

Hi guys, Thanks for your replies. I been to Maplins today and bought a cheap Netowrk card with Ethernet connections. Couldn't be bothered to wait for a delivery form ebuyer so paid a little more but it was worth it.

My modem is still conected to my pc in the USB port but i have an RJ45 lead into a network card from the router and it all works fine. Took me a couple of hours and a few phones calls but its sorted now. Thanks again.

The Belkin router I have uses http://192.168.2.1/ as the setup page, if that's any good?

Set passwords, configure firewall, set defaults etc.