network adaptors newbie help

[concalmum]

totally confused. i have computer downstairs and broadband, son has computer upstairs and wants internet. I bought a modem router with a usb adaptor. Can get router to connect to interent downstairs set up network name etc can access this with the wii and surf net as normal. Tried to install usb adaptor upstairs and nightmare, sometimes connects then goes off. Downstairs has vista upstairs is XP SP3 if that makes a difference. Anyways when go into device manager it shows networks adaptors and there are two there already before install the usb. One says ethernet adaptor other is IEEE thingy. Can anyone tell me what these are for and if I can just connect to wireless interent with these or should I disable them and connect usb adaptor. Totally newbie to this. Also it is G rated router and usb adaptor so thinking I might have to go for an N rated one to get stronger signal. Although only has to go through ceiling. thanks in advance.

[GlynD]

Hello,

The ethernet adapter is the port on your computer where you would physically connect a network cable and IEEE is a firewire connection. Since you are going to be using wireless you can ignore both of these connections. First thing is to install the USB and then to see if it can see the network. If it can then try connecting and put in your security key. If it keeps failing to connect then i suspect it may be the security settings is causing the problem. Can the computer upstairs see the wireless network at all?

[beerhunter]

I think that you mean IEEE 1394 (Firewire). Nearly all Network interfaces in common use are IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) standards. For example: Wired Ethernet 802.3, WiFi 802.11 (in various flavours), etc.

Try using something like Netstumbler to find out what WiFi channels are in use around you and chose one that isn't in use by your neighbours or (preferably) not even close to one in use.

If you move to 802.11n WiFi you will need to change all of your WiFi adapters in order to use it in 'n' mode. Should you do this, don't but a USB adapter next time. For desktops I'd use a PCI adapter and for laptops a PCMCIA adapter or, preferably, a built-in (i.e. mini-PCI) adapter.

In addition, you may want to read the Homeplug FAQ on these forums.