Spare computer needs internet access

[ebeattie]

Well, in the last coupla months, I have upgraded my main rig to the point where I have an ENTIRELY COMPLETE spare computer. I will be using my spare rig as a bedroom computer basically for internet access and music.

This is a two part question so please bear with me.

1. My roommate currently has a D-link DGL-4300 wireless router. I will be wifi capable so are there any PCI wireless cards out there for PC's that are wifi? Or are they ALL wifi? Im a total newb when it comes to networking, so I need all the help I can.

2. I will be moving out into my own place in a few months and WILL need a wireless router. A wired connection for my main rig which will be in the living room with the cable modem, and a wifi connection for my spare rig. I would like to have encryption for the wireless, but a pure signal to my main rig is a must!

I dont want to break the bank for a router or card, but if you could swing some recommendations for both a card and router my way, I would greatly appreciate it!

 

[EtherealDragon]

Here is your friends router... D-Link DGL-4300. I am actually planning to upgrade to one of these from my D-Link WBR-2310, probably when I get my bonus next month. The Gigabit LAN will benefit my NAS device.

Here is a D-Link WDA-2320 PCI Wireless adaptor. Both the router & adaptor support rangemax up to 108Mb connection. I have always found it best to use same manufacturer for router & adaptor to prevent unforseen issues. My personal preference is D-Link also... I have used Belkin before, VERY unsatisfied, and my parents have Linksys at their place, and they have all sorts of issues all the time.

 

[ebeattie]

Thanks for the reply! With 3 people sharing the connection, I never noticed a drop in ping for my internet games. Do you think that these are going to drop in price anytime soon?

 

[Kelemvor]

Main thing is any wireless card can connect to any wireless router. You don't have to buy the same brand. Everyone has their preferences (Mine are SMC, NetGear and Linsys) but it really doesn't make much different for most people.

You can pick up a PCI wireless card from anywhere and it will work fine in your current place. THen when you move, you can pick up any wireless router and reconfigure our stuff and work fine there too.

 

[ebeattie]

Good advice Franky. Seeing as how this will be a light internet/mp3 playback system, I dont need the best wifi card. The router however... that will be high perf.

Hey, as far encryption goes is the encryption router based, or is that controlled by the receiving PC?

EDIT: OK, I want to get a new copy of vista home premium for this computer. I will however still be running XP on my main rig until I can afford Vista Ultimate. Will sharing files on a network be possible between Vista and XP? I dont want to buy another OEM copy of XP, and then have to worry about upgrading to Vista home premium; I would rather just do that now.