ISO Easiest way to do this? (existing router and wanting to add a wireless laptop)

[FTLOSM]

I have comcast cable, and use a Netgear Rp114 4 port router off my cable modem in my main pc room here, then I ran one 50 foot line over to my wifes workarea so shes connected too... Now I am thinking about getting a laptop and would like to use that in the living room and would like the freedom of wireless on that.

I don't know a ton about networking or whatnot, I got that router and hooked it up and it worked (to my amazement) very simple straight forward and it works, so I was happy...

Now that I am considering a laptop and wanting to go wireless with it, can you folks give me some suggestions and guidance as to what parts I will need and or how hard it will be to make it all work? I would like to keep my existing router and possibly add something off one of the 2 existing free ports that would in effect transmit and receive from the laptop card (havent bought a laptop card yet), but these other 2 pcs here are fine being wired (no need for wireless other than that one laptop).

I know this is such a simple basic question and I am sorry to be so newbie here but I just wanna make sure I get the right parts and or do it as simple as possible and have it just work with as least steps possible.

Bill

 

[JackMDS]

In principle you should plug an Access Point (AP) to your Router and a Wireless Client card to your notebook and you are set.

However Access points are more expensive than Wireless Cable/DSL Routers, so unless you have a specific reason to go with an AP (explanation in the following link) you better off buying a Wireless Cable DSL Router.

Link to: Wireless Cable/DSL Router or Access Point ? What should I get?

You can replace your current Router or use the new Wireless Router as an Access Point with a Switch.

Link to: Using a Wireless Cable/DSL Router as a Switch with an Access Point

Wireless basic Configuration:

Install the drivers on the Client Computer (follow the Wireless card instructions).

After installation check in the OSs? Device manager to make sure that every thing is OK, and there is no conflicts or and ?Ghost? Installations (The big Yellow Exclamation mark is BAD).

MS Zero Configuration was not devised for Entry Level consumers Hardware, it is better to be set Off.

Put the computer with the Wireless Client close to the Wireless Router.

Disable all software Firewalls (including Windows ICF).

Make sure that the drivers are set to infrastructure mode and obtain IP auto.

Make sure that the Router does not have any MAC or IP filtering on.

Router's DHCP On. (Static IP will work too if set correctly.)

Disable WEP on both devices.

Set the SSID and channel of the Router and the Client card to be is same.

When you achieve Stable Wireless Connection you can set Filters Firewall etc.

When every thing is set move the Wireless Client to it intended location.

If it becomes Unstable or you lose connection than you have a distance problem.

In such a case this might help.

Link to: Extending the Distance of Entry Level Wireless Network.

 

[FTLOSM]

Thanks for the reply and information, will do some reading here and get this up and running (hopefully) without much trouble soon!

Bill