Wireless Troubleshooting

How do you setup a wireless router?

Just moved into a new house and want to setup a wireless router. Does a wireless router have to be connectted to a PC at all times. Were looking into getting 2 laptops and trashing our old PC.

Public Comments

1. No it does not have to connected to a computer. So long as you have wireless cards or adapters for the laptops they will connect. The router does have to be connect to a source for internet (cable or dsl modem etc.) As far as actually setting up the router itself, most units come with easy to understand instructions for the setup. Setups are slightly different depending on the model router so I cannot give you specifics. One word of caution when you setup the router pay particular attention to the security section, you do not want to leave it unsecured because anyone with a wireless connection who is in range will be able to leach off of your connection if you do. Here again the setup instruction are easy to follow, and the router will have wizards to do most of the work for you. Hope this helps, but if you have additional questions please feel free to email me.
2. No, the router does not need to be connected to a PC. The only time you need to connect directly to the router is when you're setting it up. (you can't do that wirelessly because the wireless stuff ain't set up yet, get it?) Your laptops will have the ability to plug in to the router as well as connecting to it wirelessly, so you won't need the PC any more.
3. make sure that your router is capable of wireless connection.. same way on your pc.. anyways.. y do you need a router? try consulting your manual
4. if you have a Linksys router (which are the easiest to use), the router must remain on at all times. You plug your internet connection (whether it's DSL or cable, I don't know if it would work with dial-up), and then make sure both laptops can access wireless networks. If it's a newer laptop, it most likely can. Then, assuming you're running Windows XP (because ME, and probably earlier versions as well, is a pain in the butt to set up on a wireless network), go to Start, Connect To... and then Show All Connections. If the wireless card is set up and working properly, it should automatically detect the wireless network, sometimes even detecting it when the computer first starts up, and just connect to it. As long as there's power to the router, you can access the internet.
5. Go to D-Link website for info http://www.dlink.com/tutorial/wireless/basics.asp