How do I connect to internet wirelessly

[TFoS_Fan]

Is it possible to use my wi-fi enable computer to access the internet wirelessly. I am staying in a flat at Uni next year, and I was wondering who I would go about setting it up?

[moneoa]

you would need an isp account with a host computer and a wireless router.
The only other way is to pay lots of money for a dish attached to your dorm that
would send out a wireless signal for you...but isps charge an arm and a leg

[hawkburn]

Well if your going to college, they usually provide internet access. So all you would need is to connect a router from your wall, and then setup the wireless network with your router and give access to your computer.

Please be aware though that many people in college do this (I'm figuring... never been myself) and if your using the same wireless channel, it could pose problems. Check with your dorm neighbors for which wireless channel theyre using.

[TFoS_Fan]

Ok, so all I need is a ISP (bt hopefully) and a Router?

Is it easy to configure, what kind of speed will it be, and what kind of price am I looking at (in pounds if you could)?

Thanks for the replies!

[gajans]

I know in some university's the have free wireless access around the whole school. check if ur university provides that cause then u could just use there service

[moneoa]

I know in some university's the have free wireless access around the whole school. check if ur university provides that cause then u could just use there service
Next best thing...wasnt thinking myself but alot of colleges and Universities have Wi-fi access set-up. As for your speed it depends on the standard. There are 2 standards
currently on the market. 801b and 801g. 801b is 11mbps while 801g is 50.
Check your laptop to determine what standard it uses.
(new is going for g while older models most likely have b standard cards)
The router itself is not hard to set up out of box and I recommend linksys as thats what I
used to set up my wireless network at home and they are pretty straight forward setup.

[nasrules]

802.11G is supposedly 54Mbps, although in reality it's more likely to be around 15Mbps. However, with internet access in the UK being so shoddy that's waaaaay faster than needed.

Are you staying in halls or are you renting? If you're renting, the house might be chaotic enough to just run network cables everywhere without anyone noticing.

[TFoS_Fan]

I'm renting.

How would I go about finding out if I am G or B?

[lion7718]

I'm renting.

How would I go about finding out if I am G or B?

Looking down might help :bling

[hawkburn]

Looking down might help :bling
lol

G or B he means (well not lion) but he means G access or wireless B.. theyre two different standards, depending on which router you buy.

[mcovey]

you'll want to encrypt it, unless you want everyone in the dorm to be able to access your network easily.

search google for "wep key generator" and browse the results. then use the ascii key to unlock access to the network, while the (alpha?)numerical key is the one that the router knows.

oh and with a few programs, it is possible to even crack the wireless encryption, so change your key often (weekly is ideal).

[TFoS_Fan]

There are 2 standards currently on the market. 801b and 801g. 801b is 11mbps while 801g is 50.
Check your laptop to determine what standard it uses.
(new is going for g while older models most likely have b standard cards)


Where on my laptop do I check, *watching lion for bad jokes* if I have 801g or 801b standard?

[nasrules]

Look in Device Manager (Control Panel > System > Hardware) under Network adapters.

[mybackhurts]

another way u can is to go to a t-mobile shop and ask about there GPRS Internet , whereever t-mobile has service so will you , so u can be cruisin down the highway, get lost and need directions , bam there u go , i have it , i love it , well almost cause its not broadband

[nasrules]

What on earth are you on about? What does having GPRS on your mobile have to do with setting up a wireless network at home?

[TFoS_Fan]

I have 801b, so how much should this router thing cost?

[moneoa]

I have 801b, so how much should this router thing cost?
Linksys will be about 100 bucks.
Once it is set up though, its totally worth the effort.
At home I can use my laptop any where wireless and its never a bad signal.
Remember to look up WEP encryption on the router you choose,
if not alot of assholes will jack your connection.

[nasrules]

You can get a Belkin one (http://www.microdirect.co.uk/ProductInfo.aspx?ProductID=3505&GroupID=293) for £35, or a US Robotics one (http://www.dabs.com/uk/productview?quicklinx=30L3) which also supports 802.11G for £55.

[moneoa]

You can get a Belkin one (http://www.microdirect.co.uk/ProductInfo.aspx?ProductID=3505&GroupID=293) for £35, or a US Robotics one (http://www.dabs.com/uk/productview?quicklinx=30L3) which also supports 802.11G for £55.
lol thanks nasrules, 100 dollars in my post is in american dollars

[TFoS_Fan]

So how do I actually get a provider. I've never had broadband before, so how do I get a package that will work with the router.

sorry if that doesn't make sense!

[TFoS_Fan]

I'm really quite confused about this. All I want is relatively cheap broadband internet that does not block or effect the phoneline in the flat I am going into.

Here is some links I found from my provider, BT, are any of these useful to me
http://www.btopenzone.co.uk/
http://www.bt.com/homenetworking
http://www.btyahoo.com/yahoo/recruitment/demo/index.html

[mp3MaStA88]

your cost for wireless in pounds, would probably be 65-70 pounds for the wireless router (linksys) and around 45-50 pounds for the wireless internet card (linksys)