Help me go wireless please

[stonfiesta5]

Hi there.......im looking to buy a wireless router today from amazon.co.uk so need one that will be dispatched by themselves for delivery tommorow.

Basically, i have broadband from telewest/virgin media. i need to be able to connect pc, ps3, psp and ipod touch to it. obviously with security (do they come without security) trying to choose one is a nightmare for me as i dont really know what im looking at anymore. My pc cannot connect to wireless so i think i may need one of those usb key things? or a router that would still allow one wired connection to go to my pc would be ok. Help me please, i really dont know what im doing.

[bsuttie]

Assuming that you are in a cabled area and get your broadband service via cable and a cable modem, then what you need is a cable wireless router.

Just make sure you don't buy an ADSL modem/router.

I can recommend the Linksys WRT54GS as this can carry even the 20mbps Virgin service.

If your desktop is close enough to use a cable then do that. That router like most has four ethernet ports available. Wired connections are faster, more reliable and more secure, although obviously lack the convenience.

The router will need the security set up when you get it, but it's pretty straightforward.

regards

Brian

EDIT the GS is out of stock with Amazon today but the GL is available which will also do fine

[aspendl828]

I have Virgin broadband and a Linksys WRT54GS and it works fine.

The Virgin 'modem' is connected to the WAN port on the back of the router using an ethernet cable and I have my main PC connected using another ethernet cable. If your PC has a socket and is close enough to the router I would suggest this is the best way to go.

I have a laptop with a Linksys card in that connects wirelessly.

Setting up a wireless network is actually much easier than you might think......

[stonfiesta5]

Thanks for that......so that one would be wireless and wired at the same time? so my current telewest cable modem would still need to connect to the router?

[The Sorcerer]

Originally Posted by stonfiesta5

Thanks for that......so that one would be wireless and wired at the same time? so my current telewest cable modem would still need to connect to the router?

Yes. The Virgin cable modem > Linksys router > to whatever PCs/laptops/games consoles etc.

Sorcerer

[stonfiesta5]

thanks people, i'll hopefully have that up and running tommorow.

[stonfiesta5]

Thanks again people, i bought the linksys that bsuttie recommended, whithin 30 mins of opening the box (and a quick call to telewest) it was up and running. Easy to set up, would have gone wireless a lot sooner if id realised how easy it was.

didnt have 1 problem with it.

[stonfiesta5]

hello again people..........thanks for the help before, the router has been superb and very easy to setup and use.

anyways........need another favour if anyone can help.

My unc wants do go wireless aswell, but he is hoping that it is possible to do away with the virgin media modem.......is that even possible.......he's trying to cut down on the amount of cables he has.

if it helps hes on the virgin media 2mb service.

thanks for any help.

[beerhunter]

The easy way to do it is the way that you did - buy a wireless router and plug it into the Virgin Cable Modem.

His cable modem HAS to be supplied by Virgin Media however I have heard that they can supply a Wireless Router with built-in cable modem. I can't confirm it because the Virgin site is so b***y difficult to use, especially if you are not a customer. Have a look here www.virginmedia.com/customers/wireless/ They might have a an all-in one on offer. Otherwise you know what to do and it is only one cable between the modem and the router.