Re: Dumb Blond needs Network Advice

Thanks again, Barb. I double-checked; the Cable modem IS hooked up via ethernet.

My Vaio laptop uses an Orinoco 802.11b card. I remember, because I asked specifically at one of the big box stores for a
laptop with That Particular Card, and the salesman disdainfully told me that "he'd never heard of it" and stood there
smirking at me. Now, I may be dumb ... but not that dumb! I went elsewhere.

I don't know what kind of a card is in the other laptop.

Just how much of a problem is speed going to be? Right now, I'm copying 7 gigs of text files from one hard drive to another,
via USB 2.0. It's taken nearly 2 hours. I only do that rarely. Typically my transfers are under 5 megs, and occasionally
up to 25 megs.

Will the wireless work slower than the USB?


Lady Dungeness
Out of Danger until September
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~


On Sat, 14 Jun 2008 05:43:59 -0400, Barb Bowman <barb@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

On an 802.11b/g router or access point, if you have all g devices,
you can use a G only setting which is faster than mixed b/g. mixed
b/g specs require a kind of stop and wait for b traffic.

the 5101 is one of the better modems. be sure you are using the
Ethernet and not USB connection to the modem.

On Fri, 13 Jun 2008 23:20:46 -0700, LadyDungeness@xxxxxxxx wrote:

Thank you, Barb. Will the 802.11b card in the Vaio slow down the network all the time, or only when the Vaio is accessing
the network?

I appreciate your input about the combo devices. I guess I'll need two separate ones.

Comcast is renting me a Motorola Surfboard cable modem Model #SB5101. I've had it at least two years. I see a few used ones
for sale cheap. There are also other Surfboard models. Do you know if a different model would make my cable connection even
faster?


Lady Dungeness
Out of Danger until September
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~


On Fri, 13 Jun 2008 13:30:26 -0400, Barb Bowman <barb@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

You want a wireless router, not a combo device. The "b" only
wireless in the Vaio will slow down your network. Consider a 802.11g
USB or pccard for that.

The combo modem/wireless router all in one devices are pretty much
lagging edge technology. Two devices will be more future proof. You
can get entry level wireless routers from $20-50. And have a far
better experience.

On Fri, 13 Jun 2008 09:31:19 -0700, LadyDungeness@xxxxxxxx wrote:

Hi everybody,

I'm ready to try networking. Here's what I've got:

1. Comcast cable using their Motorola Surfboard SB5101 cable modem.
2. Desktop PC built in 2000 with some upgrading; cable from PC attaches to the Motorola cable modem. NO wireless card on
this computer. OS = Win XP Home
3. Vaio laptop w/wireless card (.11b). OS = Win XP Home
4. Toshiba laptop w/wireless card (at least .11b) OS = Win XP Media Center 2005
5. Inkjet printer w/parallel & USB ports, currently connected to desktop via parallel
6. Samsung laser printer w/USB and wireless ability
7. Scannner w/USB
8. External HD for storage

Idea: Combine Cable Modem & Wireless into one peripheral -- I'm looking at the Motorola Surfboard SBG900. One review
said it was not intuitive to set up the wireless and the security. I know nothing about these things, so will need guidance.
Question: Are there other cable modem/wireless router combo peripherals on the market? I've googled and haven't found
any, or else don't know the right lingo.

My goals:
* maintain HIGH security. I do some paralegal work and do not want anybody else to pick up my files. Clients deserve
confidentiality
* transfer files between the three computers via wireless or ethernet.
* print to the laser printer from any computer
* use the laptops in the living room or on the porch (25 feet) and be able to print and transfer files via wireless
* not have any of the devices conflict with each other or with the telephone.
* most data is text files and graphics (up to 25 megs), plus web and email. No games, TV, DVDs.

I'd like suggestions on what kind of cable modems/wireless routers to get. An all-in-one would be nice. Simple setup is
important. Simple configuration is important. I'd like advice on what to be careful of, given the kind of equipment I have.
Thank you for your suggestions!



Lady Dungeness
Out of Danger until September
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
.

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