(Untitled)

[xoverau]

Move:

Went surprisingly well. I was out three full days ahead of time, and excepting a mishap where I threw away my mp3 player, cell headphone, and two chargers, there was no horrible chaos or distress.

Heroes:

Comments

[lizardling]

While I'm not a professional IT person, I can try to help you out.

My wireless network: Wall -> cable modem -> wireless router -> desktop and laptop. (in other words, I have 2 computers on the network)
Pretty diagram showing a fancy wireless network with extra bells and whistles; my setup is pretty basic.

My understanding is that wireless modems are typically hooked up to your mobile phone.

I'm assuming that you have an ISP providing you with wired access. If so, and if you have a regular modem, you'll want a wireless router in order to modify your setup to accomodate wireless access

[lizardling]

Please ignore what I said about the wireless modem.

[xoverau]

Shiiiiininess. I might just do that--plug in a cable so I can talk to someone online at the same time as the great wireless experiment happens. I may have to toss the whole wireless idea for the time being if it turns out it's too expensive--set up a new time for the asshole cable guy to come and be snarky. Hopefully it won't be too many more days.

[lizardling]

Sounds good! One more detail: my desktop computer is plugged into the wireless router; it's only my laptop that's actually wireless.

I checked walmart.com and they have some pretty good prices for wireless routers. Mine's a D-Link, for the record, and I found setup to be relatively painless. The only bother for me was the security setup as the user interface for that part took a while to figure out, but I can explain that to you.

[xoverau]

Oooh shiny. Um--the D-Link, would that be one of those that includes both necessary parts? Or would I need to get a modem as well?

[lizardling]

I don't think so -- the router just changes it so you can have more than one computer using the wall connection (regardless of how the computer is hooked in).

You can get all-in-one, but if you already have a cable modem, you don't need one.

[xoverau]

I'm...kind of confused. Okay, I have the cable modem from Time Warner. If I go to SatanMart today and buy a wireless router and stick the wireless card in my computer in the right slot, it should all work as a wireless network? (Presuming I install the software correctly and whatnot?)

[lizardling]

Yes:

- Cable modem plugs into wall.
- SatanMart wireless router plugs into cable modem.
- Stick CD into computer to install software.
- Computer probably needs to be plugged into the router for now to walk through the setup wizard hoopla.
- Do exactly what the wizard says.
- Plug wireless card into laptop and follow instructions from SatanMarket wireless router.
- Test the laptop connection.

If the laptop connection works, you're in business. If not, you can call any of us commenters for help, or nopseud's husband. :)

[xoverau]

Oooh. Sounds relatively simplish! Of course, I can screw up plugging in a wall socket in the wrong mood, so...*crosses fingers*

I was an idiot and didn't ask the cable guy, who was an uncommunicative jerk, to turn on the existing outlet today. I was discomfitted from my recent shower exit. Now I have to set up another appointment for them to come back. Eckkk. No more internet for DAYS! WOES!

Maybe if I have the equipment all there, the cable dude could give me a hand making sure the network is set up--he'd almost have to before he left, to make sure it worked, right? Right? :)

...of course I couldn't write him gay porn either.