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08/04/2010 10:49:50 AM · #1 |
I wish I had learned this ages ago but I never thought I would need to go wireless and always relied on the wired connection (Japan is insanely fast with it's internet connections).
My wife has an iMac and I have a built-it-myself PC running Windows 7. I assume her iMac (Knowing nothing about Macs) is wireless. What do I need in order to setup a wireless connection. Her iMac will be in the living room and I will be putting my PC in the bedroom (Thus the need for a wireless connection). Does one computer need to be wired to the wireless router/modem? Or is this something you need when setting it up? What would I need to install (Hardware wise) into my PC to get a wireless connection going? This is about the only area of computers I've not taken any interest in and so I sound like a noob...but better late than never.
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08/04/2010 10:55:33 AM · #2 |
ironically, just last night my son's girlfriend came over with her macbook and i could not get it connected to my wireless network. i googled and found what apears to be the problem but didn't dig too deeply. the itunes 9.2.x version for macbook sometimes hinders the connectivity to wireless networks (at least the uverse network i use) just something to keep in mind if you run into trouble.
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08/04/2010 10:55:54 AM · #3 |
You will need a wireless router to plug your internet into (cable I assume) and you will need wifi card for your computer. The iMac should have wireless built in. For the initial set up of the router you will need to plug one of the computers into it to set it up. After that you could put the router anywhere you want. Make sure you put a password into your connection to keep other people from hijacking it or getting into your computers. The directions with the router are pretty easy to follow.
Ronnie |
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08/04/2010 11:00:19 AM · #4 |
| You need a wireless NIC in both computers. I don't know if the current iMacs have built in wireless or not, but if your PC is a desktop unit, it likely does not have one built in. A fairly cheap add in card for the PC, probably pricier for the Mac. Something like this is what you need if you like everything inside, but you can also find external USB connected models for quite cheap. I used to use one that was the size and shape of a flashdrive. The internal card will have better performance, but it depends on what suits your needs. |
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08/04/2010 11:07:35 AM · #5 |
Originally posted by Kobba:
You will need a wireless router to plug your internet into (cable I assume) and you will need wifi card for your computer. The iMac should have wireless built in. For the initial set up of the router you will need to plug one of the computers into it to set it up. After that you could put the router anywhere you want. Make sure you put a password into your connection to keep other people from hijacking it or getting into your computers. The directions with the router are pretty easy to follow.
Ronnie |
make sure yo pick an encryption stronger than WEP but make sure that both the wireless devices can handle the type of encryption you choose.
also once everything is setup. disable SSID broadcast, so your router stays hidden.
other thna that the setup should be easy, the router doesnt care if its a mac or pc or linux.
Message edited by author 2010-08-04 11:08:15. |
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08/04/2010 12:14:01 PM · #6 |
Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:
I don't know if the current iMacs have built in wireless or not, |
They do. |
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08/04/2010 12:28:45 PM · #7 |
dumb question:
I see some of the wireless routers come with a USB device that allows for your desktop to be wireless. Any reason to NOT go with this and get a dedicated adapter of some type? The current packages for internet service are 100Mbps and 160Mbps. I have no idea (Until I hit the stores tomorrow) whether USB device can handle that speed. I'd like to have the wireless network setup so that my wife can use the printer that's connected to my PC...but I'm guess this involves a bit more? |
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08/04/2010 12:36:25 PM · #8 |
| To use the printer attached to your computer you will have to turn on print sharing and in order to print your computer will have to be on. I now only buy printers that have wireless ability so they can connect to my network and anyone can print on them regardless if any of the other computers are on or not. |
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08/04/2010 12:37:54 PM · #9 |
Originally posted by heavyj:
dumb question:
I see some of the wireless routers come with a USB device that allows for your desktop to be wireless. Any reason to NOT go with this and get a dedicated adapter of some type? The current packages for internet service are 100Mbps and 160Mbps. I have no idea (Until I hit the stores tomorrow) whether USB device can handle that speed. I'd like to have the wireless network setup so that my wife can use the printer that's connected to my PC...but I'm guess this involves a bit more? |
A wired network is faster than a wireless one. Here in the states a wireless N, or G for that matter, will be more than able to handle the puny speeds we get, but in your case, a wireless router is going to bottle neck those speeds. so if you want to get the widest pipe, go wired. |
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