wifi question

[munkyfunk]

hey guys i got a quick question. i just got a toshiba notebook with wifi and i was wondering can i just go to wal-mart and get a wireless router or do i have to buy a card for the notebook as well? I know some of them say like b and g or something like that? also can i just hook it up to the wired router i have now or do i have to put wireeless cards in all my computers for it?

[Limp_Trizkit]

As far as needing a wireless card for your new laptop, you shouldn't need to get an additional card. (Getting one would be somewhat redundant to having it built-in in the first place, wouldn't it?) Wireless cards for all your other computers are optional depending upon whether you want to get rid of the wire or not (wired is recommended over wireless, however).

You should be able to go to the retailer of your choice to go get a wireless router for use with your laptop, no problem. However, I would recommend looking for one that has wired ports on the back so that you can REPLACE the wired router you have now and connect any wired devices to the new router instead (believe me, it will be much less hassle that way).

Remember that once you set up your wireless router, you should enable some security settings so that your neighbors can't use it (unless you want them to, of course) and get free Net access. This varies from router to router, so you'll have to check out the user's guide for your particular model. Generally, these are very easy to set though, so you shouldn't encounter any problems.

Hope this helps, and congratulations on the new laptop!

[noxela]

How is your internet access is set up? For example, internet -> ADSL modem -> wireless router etc.. any other pc's/laptops on the network... A wireless router allows you to use wireless signals or Ethernet cables to connect your computers to one another, to a printer and to the Internet. Most routers provide coverage for about 100 feet (30.5 meters) in all directions, although walls and doors can block the signal. If your home is very large, you can buy inexpensive range extenders or repeaters to increase your router's range.

[Fox McCloud 1990]

If you only have a wired router, your best bet is to upgrade to a wireless router.
You can then just leave all the wired computers as-is and connect to the router with the laptop's built-in wireless card.