I have SBC DSL. I have it hooked up to a desktop. I just bought two more desktops. What is the best way to get the other desktops hooked up to the dsl? Should I get SBC to send more of the dsl modems or some kinda wireless receiver thingy? With my laptop I just have a card that lets it connect to dsl but i'm not sure about the desktops. Thanks
I'm guessing just a simple router will do the trick for you. That's what I'm using. Some go wireless, but I have both of my computers in the same room so I stuck with wired.
They aren't in the same room. Re: a router - is that something i can plug into the back of the new desktops and it'll pick up the wireless signal?
A wireless router is what distributes the signal to all of the pc's (desktop, laptop, PDA, etc.). You say the laptop already has a wireless network card built in so it is no big deal. You would have to get wireless network cards for the desktops for them to take advantage of the wireless capabilities of the router. There are several different kind (PCI, USB, etc.).
Call technical support about this. If your SBC DSL modem is like my mother's it's already got a built-in wireless transmitter (not sure if it qualifies as a router). If this is the case, all you have to do is get wireless cards for your desktops. There are good reasons for getting a router though. Also, what operating systems do your desktops have?
First, thanks Faos, MB, and Relativist. The SBC modem does already transmit, that's what my laptop picks up. Do wireless cards plug into the back of your computer? They all have Windows (XP I'm assuming).
If it already transmits then there is no need for a router. As I said in my earlier post, you can get some that plug in via USB or actually go in the case as a PCI card. I do not have a whole lot of experience with the PCI cards and would venture to guess that usb would be much easier since all you have to do is plug it in. I dont know how much money you are wanting to spend but I would prefer to have the kind that look like a little USB drive that just pops in. It would be easier to setup. Someone else may be able to give you a better idea on which is more reliable.
MB is right, if the dsl modem is already a wireless transmitter then you are set without needing to purchase a router. I didn't know they were making modems like that now, that's pretty nice. I used one of the PCI wireless cards in my desktop for a couple years and had no problems. It was just a PCMCIA card that plugged into a PCI adapter card for the desktop, so I could use it in either a desktop or laptop (which I'm doing now.) But you can do the same thing with USB adapters and you don't have to fool with opening up the case, so I'd guess they are easier to deal with. Hope that helps!
