Hya Folks at SAF

Slightly dazed and confused after the Xmas and New Year bashes, (hope you all had a good one) the alcohol is still swimming in my brain!

Well, I've set up a few home wireless networks before but I'm beginning to wonder about this one!

Currently the bedroom PC (XPSp2 Media Edition with no Ethernet card) is connected to Broadband via (TalkTalk's) USB (phone network through Sim Chip) modem. I want to share this internet connection with a WiFi enabled device (iPOD Touch).

Is it possible with this type of modem? If so, presumably I will also need a Wireless Router and would that come with a USB port for the Modem to plug into? Any suggestions there? Or, fit an Ethernet card wired to the router?

If anybody knows the best way to effect this, it will be much appreciated.

Cheers.

Bill.

Hi Bill,

I have recently used TalkTalk on a wifi network, prior to moving out.

I used a Netgear Wireless Modem (make sure you get an ADSL). It detected everything correctly, just enter your username and password on the setup screen.

For the no ethernet problem, I'd recommend getting a bundle pack,which includes a wireless router and wireless USB dongle, which will plug into your XP.

Belkin, a former employer i must add (! hehe) , are good in this respect. Pop down to PC World, and pretty much every router has lifetime warranty, and the W/H will turn around replacements in 2-3days.

the BELKIN B5DUK056 will do the job (tho its a bit more pricey than netgear)

Many thanks Condorstats

That was very informative and helpful.

I looked at the Netgear Wireless Starter Pack (Specs say: Combines ADSL2 + modem router - model DG834Gv3 with a USB Adaptor to create a wireless network. Fully compatible with TalkTalk broadband connections). I'll probably go with that.

However, I'm still not certain (it's that alcohol again) how it fits together - Will the USB Sim Chip modem fit into the Router so now the PC has connectivity through the USB adaptor?

Cheers.

Bill.

Hi Bill,

I'm not 100% what you mean by sim chip - do you mean as in the sim chip that goes into your mobile? Im not aware of any talk talk modem which requires you to enter a sim card.

If the modem you have is connected directly to the phone line, and directly to the PC via USB, with no SIM card or anything else, then the Netgear kit will work fine. Just plug in the netgear router to the phone, removing completely the talk talk modem. plug in the usb stick to the PC, and connect wirelessly.

Hya Condorstats

Cheers again for your reply, I guess this type of modem has foxed you too, you can see the one I mean Here but there are more, eg. Here. Vodaphone do one too.

Connected a couple of them recently and was very impressed with their download speeds even though they were < 4Mb connections - Anyway, I'm beginning to wonder about compatibility (GPRS /802.11n+ etc) with conventional Wireless Networking and I still don't have an answer.

Perhaps this could be a path of enlightenment...

Cheers Condo.

Bill.

Hmm thats a new one, tho i do recognise it, i just know them as PCMCIA cards for laptops.

One of them, the one from 3 Mobile appears to be WiFi enabled, which I understand from the site means it will broadcast the signal when it is plugged into the PC. What provider is your SIM?

The WiFi designation means the modem, whatever form it takes, will meet 802.11x specifications. The GPRS will not effect the use of the WiFi.

So, if your sim will work, try to get a hold of the 3 modem. Dont get it from them unless your happy to be in a contract.

I understand from your PM that you are on T-Mobile.

Looks like they don't provide a WiFi model - the options are

1. Switch to 3, and get the WiFi modem
2. Switch to a landline based Broadband, and get the netgear kit
3. Not sure on this one, but I think its possibly if you purchase an ethernet card, and a wireless access point. Install the ethernet to the PC, and then attach the wireless access point. You *should* then be able to broadcast the signal from the Tmobile modem through the wireless access point. Im not 100% on this though, I can look into it more this weekend if its going to be an option.

Hya Condorstats

Many thanks for your posts, I pretty much agree with everything you said. The project still hasn't been resolved but there are no worries now (he's taken a {another!} contract on the new Samsung {Vodaphone} with QWERTY keyboard and Internet access which works very cool!). So the WiFi isn't now necessary.

However I did try something... Connected the 3 (USB with sim chip in) Modem to the PC and tried the iPod Touch for wireless connectivity - Nothing! But I may have not configured something correctly. Anyway, things went on to more pressing needs (like reinstalling Windows components that had mysteriously vanished!), then a phone call for the vanishing USB ports on a Vista setup...

It's all changing so fast and the choice is so vast!

Cheers again, I've no doubt we'll talk about something in the future.

Bill .