Give it to me straight, what do I need

[JuanT]

I'm purchasing a new PC that uses an Asus A8V-E Deluxe motherboard. I selected it for its wifi-g capability. http://usa.asus.com/products/mb/socket939/a8v-e-d/overview.htm

From the vague marketing descriptions, I'm guessing it comes with a receiving station. What do I need to install on another PC to get that to work?

Also, I need both of these PCs (the new and this old one) to connect to the internet. I'm using a cable modem, so what kind of wireless router do you suggest?

Help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[ktwebb]

The only question here is what AP/ROuter to buy. The new PC has integrated wireless that will work just as if you had put a PCI card or USB wireless adapter in it. As far as what AP/Router to buy, take your pick. They are all pretty similar. The Linksys WRT54G and 54GS seem to be very popular right now. I prefer Buffalo technologies.

 

[cparker]

Just look at the hot deals forum for a 802.11g router that's selling for around 10 bucks or less. They seem to have them every week. You can check compusa's sales as well, but they will be listed on the hot deals forum. For example, I picked up a netgear router for 10 bucks (after rebates) one week, then the next week picked up a belkin for 8 bucks. They all pretty much do the same thing and should be fine with your setup. Get the best deal. You are lucky. It's a fire sale on routers these days. Just remember that the sales are usually short lived and then the next day (or hour) the price jumps from 10 bucks to say 60 bucks (the rebates are pulled). But wait a week, they will be back. If you really want a deal you can get an 802.11b router for free at pcconnection. Just go to their site. Here's the link: http://www.pcconnection.com/ProductDetail?sku=429324
You will have to pay shipping, maybe 8 bucks or so, but you could pick up a few, one for you, another for a friend, etc. They allow 5 per household on the rebates as far as I can tell.

 

[ktwebb]

Unless your really, really cheap don't buy a .11b device. YOu have 54G capability on your client. If all you ever do, or foresee doing is internet usage and you don't expec your connection to bump the 5 Mbps area then a .11b AP would be ok for you. If you want to transfer files and expect like I do that in the next couple of years there will be some very appealing broadband packaging, then .11b would be a step back.

 

[JackMDS]

Originally posted by: ktwebbThe Linksys WRT54G and 54GS seem to be very popular right now. I prefer Buffalo technologies.

I agree as is the Buffalo line is currently the best of the Entry Level. It is very Stable, WZC compatible, and WDS capable.

However the young guys here like ?Hacking?. So you get the Linksys and you ?Hack? with $20 French product. The Hacking makes it WDS (it is Not WDS as is) and you can Boost the output to 86mW.

So if you do not Fry the unit the 86mW seems to make to "Hacker?s" day.

I rather put a second Buffalo if I need the extra Distance.

:sun:

 

[JuanT]

Thanks guys.

What changes if I use the ECS KN1 Extreme motherboard instead? It only needs a USB port to connect to the new computer.

 

[robcy]

Originally posted by: JuanT
I'm purchasing a new PC that uses an Asus A8V-E Deluxe motherboard. I selected it for its wifi-g capability. http://usa.asus.com/products/mb/socket939/a8v-e-d/overview.htm

From the vague marketing descriptions, I'm guessing it comes with a receiving station. What do I need to install on another PC to get that to work?

Also, I need both of these PCs (the new and this old one) to connect to the internet. I'm using a cable modem, so what kind of wireless router do you suggest?

Help would be greatly appreciated.

Your old machine needs a wireless card or wireless USB adapter. Then you run your cable modem to the ethernet port of your new computer, and the integrated Wifi on the asus will work as the acess point sending signal to the old computer.
Or you can get a router (Motorola G routers are good, and affordable), and a wireless connection to your old machine (pci or usb). Either way you will have both online. The first is probably easier and cheaper .

 

[JuanT]

Thanks for that reply man, quite helpful.

But I've been told that the Asus solution will require an Asus-compatible mobo as well, or at least install a new card which I can't.

I'm thinking of going for the ECS KN1 Extreme and it's 802.11g Wifi USB Adapter. With just this new PC and my old one, what else do I need to connect to the net?

 

[InlineFive]

Originally posted by: JackMDS

Originally posted by: ktwebbThe Linksys WRT54G and 54GS seem to be very popular right now. I prefer Buffalo technologies.

I agree as is the Buffalo line is currently the best of the Entry Level. It is very Stable, WZC compatible, and WDS capable.

However the young guys here like ?Hacking?. So you get the Linksys and you ?Hack? with $20 French product. The Hacking makes it WDS (it is Not WDS as is) and you can Boost the output to 86mW.

So if you do not Fry the unit the 86mW seems to make to "Hacker?s" day.

I rather put a second Buffalo if I need the extra Distance.

:sun:

Listen up old man, I like my Linksys WRT54G just fine and it works well. And I think you are being a bit biased in your opposition to the 3rd party firmware.

Granted, the power boost on all 3rd party firmwares isnn't super, since they also boost noise and interference. I don't use it on my setup for this reason. And I'll admit that the WDS implementation in the WRT54G line isn't spectacular as it only works with WEP. Having an integrated WPA-capable solution that can be configured easily with web management would be wonderful.

But many solutions are free and offer many cool features as well. Such as enhanced firewall options (ActiveX, Javascript, Proxy, Cookie blocking), QoS (useful for VoIP), a more customizable firewall (IPtables), RADIUS support and an impressive array of Port Forwarding and Port Triggering options. So you see, there's more to it then ?Hack with $20 French product." (If you could call that hacking at all. I would call that tapping potential in a widely available consumer-grade product.)

Not to mention that JackMDS is biased towards beige, unlike us young guys.

In conclusion, buy what you can for what you need.

Originally posted by: JuanT
Thanks for that reply man, quite helpful.

But I've been told that the Asus solution will require an Asus-compatible mobo as well, or at least install a new card which I can't.

I'm thinking of going for the ECS KN1 Extreme and it's 802.11g Wifi USB Adapter. With just this new PC and my old one, what else do I need to connect to the net?

You would need a wireless router because you have no device to share the internet connection. I would recommend either a Linksys or Buffalotech unit.

 

[wfay]

I have several Belkin F5D7230-4 units as well as a Linksys WRT54G -and- a Buffalo WBR2-G54. Don't ask why I have so many.

I prefer the Belkin and Buffalo units in general and would suggest them if you are not interested in loading third-party firmware onto the Linksys. The Belkin and Buffalo support WDS out of the box, and you can find the Belkin for $20 or less in any given week after rebates.

 

[JuanT]

After much hairpulling (not mine) and cajoling, I'll be finally able to get a new PC and set up this network thing by next week.

Gonna go with the ECS KN1 Extreme, and I'm picking up a Linksys WRT54G with the new PC.

Then what? Sorry about the cluenessness of my networking posts. I'm wary of that stuff.

 

[fuxxociety]

make sure that motherboard comes with an antenna of some sort.
I looked at the overview, and all I see pictured is a jack for the antenna.