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[UncleUB]

Hi all,

My sister is getting my neice a laptop for Xmas.(Windows Vista)
At present they have a Dell desktop with XP and connect to the internet with TalkTalk using the Huawei SmartAX MT882 router via an ethernet cable.
What options/how would they connect the laptop to the internet.
The desktop is situated in the spare bedroom and my neice would be using the laptop in her bedroom across the landing.

[roseway]

Kitz has some info on TalkTalk configuration here. It seems that the MT882 is very limited in its capabilities and has restrictive firmware. I think the best option for your niece would be to get a wireless router to replace the MT882, then the laptop will be able to connect wirelessly. The laptop will almost certainly have a wireless interface already set up and working.

[UncleUB]

Thanks Eric,I thought that might be the case with the router.
So can you have the main pc wired and the laptop wireless if you have a wireless router,sorry for sounding a bit dumb.

[broadstairs]

Yes wired and wireless work in parallel.

[UncleUB]

Thankyou.

[UncleUB]

Just a thought,what about using one of those usb dongles to connect which the Mobile phone companies supply.It does look a bit expensive though.Is this type of connection a bit hit and miss or is it quite reliable.
I think my sisters connection is pretty good at around 5mb

[roseway]

Are you talking about a Bluetooth adaptor? If the laptop has Bluetooth then I suppose it would work, but it would mean that the desktop PC would always have to be running when the laptop wanted access to the internet. A router wouldn't need this.

[UncleUB]

I meant something like this Eric.


http://shop.vodafone.co.uk/shop/mobile-broadband-devices/usb-modem-stick-pro?WT_ref=Homepage-Layer3-MBB-5

[roseway]

I'm afraid I don't know anything about those things, but I suppose it uses the mobile phone network, so it will be more expensive to use than the TalkTalk internet connection.

[kitz]

Flying visit - have to go out in a few mins.

One of those wont work UB - or it would, but not for what youre wanting to do - it would be expensive as you'd also need to purchase 'air-time' which start at an additional £15 per month - linky.

Those are for 'mobile access' with a mobile phone supplier.

I think what you were perhaps thinking is a wireless USB dongle which allows you to set up an 'ad-hoc wireless network'
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Netgear-WG111-Wireless-54Mbps-Adapter/dp/B0002LHX8O

(Thats not necessarily -  the cheapest it was just the 1st one I came across).

Be warned that ad-hoc wireless networking involves the other PC to be on...   
and can sometimes have config problems and arent always the easiest to set up and may need some patience since the host IP is set by ICS as  be 192.168.0.1, which can conflict with the router IP address.

/need to go - back later.

[UncleUB]

I see,so just to recap,get a wireless enabled router(I suppose talkTalk would supply this if required).Keep the main pc connected via ethernet cable and then set up the laptop wireless.
I know I am a bit of a technology 'thicko',but my brother in law is lord of thicko's.

[broadstairs]

I see,so just to recap,get a wireless enabled router(I suppose talkTalk would supply this if required).Keep the main pc connected via ethernet cable and then set up the laptop wireless.
I know I am a bit of a technology 'thicko',but my brother in law is lord of thicko's.

Yes TalkTalk will supply a wireless router, currently a Huwai Echlife HG520b, and if you get one from them it could well come setup ready to go - mine did when I joined recently although I dont use it as I already had my own router. I think there is a cost if not a new customer but you never know if you ask nicely and explain the situation. They are free to new customers signing up.

[UncleUB]

Thanks for that Broadstairs,will pass the info on to my B.I.L.   

[Ammit]

Just a note. 

I have a talk talk connection at home and we have one of those useless talk talk modems.  We have connected a cable router to the modem and then we connect our laptops either wired or wirelessly to that. 

Bit of a weird setup but it was there when i moved in and it works so pah!