My 'New' (refurbished) Thinkpad laptop has arrived:clap:
But no documentation.

Can anyone tell me how to configure the 3com wireless Lan card to my f9 broadband, please?

I am running Windows 2000 on the laptop, XP on the computer

I have had a look at the set up wizard, but am unfamiliar with the terminology.....

I hadn't even heard of WiFi until the other week :blush:

What wireless equipment do you have other than the laptop?

Just the '3com 11 Mbps wireless Lan card Pc card' Lurch....

Don't tell me I need more.....:(

Hey,

Along with the wireless LAN card for the laptop, you need:

One of these - a router with built-in modem for your ADSL (http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?rb=10443813978&action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=79069), and a WLAN / Wi-Fi (whatever you want to call it) card for the main computer (http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=53222).

The second card goes into the computer, and the internet's cable goes into the port (it'll only fit in one), at the back of the router. Leave the router's settings at default (we'll get into fiddling & securing that at a later stage. But those instructions'll get you up and running.

HTH,
Alex - :)

Ouch!

I got this mangled Idea in my head that you didn't need a router if you had a LAN card.

Thanks a lot for that, Alex, and for the links :thumbsup:

I'll get onto it :)

Scrap what I just wrote here before I edited it. :wink:

You can set up the wireless lan card on the PC somehow, can't remember how exactly though! Basically, it wants setting up as a bridge to the ADSL connection, assuming you have a USB modem that you're currently using for broadband access.

Personally, I'd just get a Netgear DG834G and switch to using that otherwise you'll need to make sure the PC is on before you can access the 'net with the laptop.

Originally posted by Lurch
Scrap what I just wrote here before I edited it. :wink:

1) You can set up the wireless lan card on the PC somehow, 1B) can't remember how exactly though!

2) Basically, it wants setting up as a bridge to the ADSL connection, assuming you have a USB modem that you're currently using for broadband access.

3) Personally, I'd just get a Netgear DG834G and switch to using that otherwise you'll need to make sure the PC is on before you can access the 'net with the laptop.

1) Software came with my W-LAN card (PC one - lappy had built-in, but I've had to sell it, as some friends and I are going on holiday next year).

The software only controlls the on and off operation of it - with mine, a green square appeared for a high-quality signal with the router, yellow for adequate, and red for 'forget about it and abondon the whole plan' - or just move the router nearer... ;)

1B) Most of the controlling and configuration side of things is done with the router's settings.

2) My plan included abandoning (and therefore ditching those awful, awful, awful, awful (can you tell I don't like them?) USB modem, which is why the router I shoved in the link included the port for the RJ11 cable (the ''it will only go in one hole'' part of the reply. Whereas yours, as the port for the RJ45 port - cable-based internet. A cheaper alternative, is buying a separate modem, then plugging the cable from the microfilter (thing that sticks out of the phone socket) into that, and then an ethernet cable from that into ''Lurch's device'' (which, FTR is this (http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000TZ8Z8/026-8870062-5826854).

3) TBH, when using the router with built-in modem, I haven't paid attention to the main PC being on when the laptop was connected to my W-LAN network, as the main PC was always on, when I was surfing on the lappy.
Besides, the computer's end only has the wireless card to deal with, the internet cable is in the router; and having one networked device [in this case, the main PC], switched off, won't make any difference to the lappy's connection (infact, it'll be faster as it won't be shared) becasue the connection's source is the router.

:)

Now I'm just plain confused:cry: :lol: :cry:

Originally posted by Draggletail
Now I'm just plain confused:cry: :lol: :cry:

Mine was looking at the problems/strengths with Lurch's ideas.

Personally, I'd go with mine.

But they are the only two poissibilities - so no-one can come in with their different idea.

The most popular method is mine (with the router and built-in modem). But see what Lurch writes in response to my opinion of his...

Originally posted by kentboy119
Mine was looking at the problems/strengths with Lurch's ideas.

Personally, I'd go with mine.

But they are the only two poissibilities - so no-one can come in with their different idea.

The most popular method is mine (with the router and built-in modem). But see what Lurch writes in response to my opinion of his...

I understand the router/modem but I got confused with the need for the WiFi card with the 'aerial' (via your link) the card I have is 'aerial' less.....:)

Originally posted by Draggletail
I understand the router/modem but I got confused with the need for the WiFi card with the 'aerial' (via your link) the card I have is 'aerial' less.....:)

Ah - the thing that sticks out of the laptop has the aerial built into it. :)

Had a look around the shops yesterday.......wireless routers are cheaper than router/modem combos.

I have a USB modem installed. Surely I should be OK buying a wireless router rather than a combo?

Possiby depends on your USB modem

Originally posted by Lurch

.......Personally, I'd just get a Netgear DG834G........

I got one of these today. Turns out I need an Ethernet adaptor on the computer.
Guess what - I have a LAN point were the ethernet adaptor would normally live....

Can anything be done, or is it 'try for a money back job' on Tuesday?:(

:suspect: Love the web - hate computers :suspect:

Originally posted by Draggletail
I got one of these today. Turns out I need an Ethernet adaptor on the computer.
Guess what - I have a LAN point were the ethernet adaptor would normally live....

Can anything be done, or is it 'try for a money back job' on Tuesday?:(

:suspect: Love the web - hate computers :suspect:

That's the port - does it look like a big BT socket?

Originally posted by kentboy119
That's the port - does it look like a big BT socket?

Yes Alex. But it says LAN above it......

The 'Big' style cable fits in it ok too, but it's not the cable that I thought was 'ethernet' - that one has a clear covering and looks like braided silver wire inside:suspect:

ethernet/lan often used to mean the same thing. You might need to connect the router to the pc using wires for the initial setup then connect using wireless afterwards. If the connector fits you should be ok.

Sounds like it's all OK to me. An ethernet port is often referred to as a LAN port and is the same thing. If the cable fits into the ethernet port on the DG834G and also fits into the LAN port mentioned above then it should all be fine.

Best bet is plug it in then navigate your way to the default IP address mentioned in the instructions, should all be straight forward and easy peasy from their. :wink:

Originally posted by kentboy119
The most popular method is mine (with the router and built-in modem). But see what Lurch writes in response to my opinion of his...

Er, whatever! It's late, I've just got back from a weekend in Prague and you lost me too. I think we're both saying that the best solution is to buy a Netgear DG834G? If not, then it doesn't matter, I'm going for a lie down.............

Originally posted by Lurch
Sounds like it's all OK to me. An ethernet port is often referred to as a LAN port and is the same thing.

That's what I was saying - ;)

:)

Keep it all to the default and away you go.

He He:) I'm wireless at last and posting from the comfort of my settee:D
Thanks to everone who responded with help and suggestions, especially Lurch and Kentboy.
No thanks to the guy at F9 'Support' - it was obvious that every time he finished a sentence with 'Sir' he really meant 'you ignorant *rse*ole' :rolleyes:

Anyway I'm wireless :clap:

Originally posted by Draggletail
He He:) I'm wireless at last and posting from the comfort of my settee:D
Thanks to everone who responded with help and suggestions, especially Lurch and Kentboy.
No thanks to the guy at F9 'Support' - it was obvious that every time he finished a sentence with 'Sir' he really meant 'you ignorant *rse*ole' :rolleyes:

Anyway I'm wireless :clap:

Any time Draggy - :)

All the best,
Me!

Originally posted by Draggletail
No thanks to the guy at F9 'Support' - it was obvious that every time he finished a sentence with 'Sir' he really meant 'you ignorant *rse*ole' :rolleyes:

He's obviously done the course. :wink: Glad you're wireless, now, got to get around to setting mine up again.........