I know we went over it before, but just need a bit of clarification if I can...

My mates PC is connected to ADSL using a BT ADSL modem : phone line goes into modem then modem connects to PC's USB socket.

He also has a lop top and would like to be able to get it to connect to the net aswell. It's not wifi enabled, but does have a 10/100 LAN port and a couple of USB ports.

Can he connect a wireless access point to his BT ADSL modem, then have both the PC and the laptop connect to the wireless access point using these USB dongle thingies?

If so, how and what is needed? Cos all the wireless access points I have looked at on the net say they connect to a router using RJ45 patch cables...??? So would he need to get a 2 port router, use 1 port for the PC (connected by cat5 patch cable) and the other port for the w.a.p with a USB dongle in the laptop?

Cos if so it'd probably be easier to just to get a wiress router modem I would have thought....

Need info and advice please!!!

 

It would be too messy.

Easier way, get a 4 port wireless adsl router from ebuyer, the safecom ones are fine.. he can then connect his pc up to the router via a normal network cable (rj45)... and then his laptop can surf wirelessly.

Or he could get a USB/PCI wireless card for his desktop too and not have any wires trailing about.

EDIT: The wireless adsl router will have a USB socket to plug his modem in to... or he could get a wireless adsl/modem/router and eliminate the need of the USB modem.

EDIT2: Instead of a USB dongle for the laptop, I'd suggest going for a wireless PCMCIA card..as I'm assuming the laptop will either have a type II or type III pcmcia slot in there.

 

I have a Safecom 4-port ADSL router modem (wired) myself as it goes

So it is not do able using the BT modem?

I know I can plug one of these wireless access points into my wired router and it'll work, but I didn't know if you can or can't do it using a normal "1 connection" USB type ADSL modem...

I agree it's probably easier to get a wireless router modem and just have one box that does it all - like my wired one, except wireless. I ditched the Alcatel USB modem when I got my Safecom router modem and it's a lot better, since all my PC's have ethernet points.

 

If he didn't want to get a wireless adsl router... he could buy a pci/usb wireless card... and enable ICS on that card..and connect it to the wireless card in the laptop via ad-hoc mode (as opposed to infrastructure mode)... however it means the desktop has to be on whenever he wants to access the internet on his laptop... so is a more messy way...

 

Sounds like hassle! Wires router modem it is then, PCMCIA wirelss laptop card and a PCI wireless card for the PC it is then...

 

There is no difference in setting up a basic wireless router compared to a basic wired router.

If he goes wireless make sure all products have 54G on the box as this gives a better speed and signal strength.