Sorry if this has been asked before. I've seen the topic addressed elsewhere, but, being computer illiterate, I never understand the answer.

I'm about to install broadband on my Dell PC (Windows XP - about two years old). I have a two-and-a-half-year-old Toshiba laptop Satellite A10. (If I've understood the manual correctly, it has a Wireless LAN card.)

I've just purchased a D-Link Wireless ADSL Router kit. Am I right in thinking that this is all I need, once my PC is up and running on broadband, to get the laptop connected, too? (I was told it was, but it's all gobbledegook to me.)

If so, is it a simple process? I haven't opened the router kit box yet in case I've ordered the wrong thing. It claims to be 'easy to install', but I am an idiot when it comes to this sort of thing so thought I'd ask around in the hope that someone can give some tips. Or at least tell me I can safely open the box.

Thanks for any help.

James

alright, NO ONE YELL AT ME THIS TIME (stark), what exactly are you asking? Do you want to know how to hook up the laptop to the router? or to hook up broadband? What is all in the router kit? Make sure all your sys reqirments are acceptable. Don't try installing anything without finding the right specs, beleive, this is from experience....the manual should say how to configure the settings to get the router connected to the A10. But just in case, try asking one of the MODS about this, because they are smart and powerful, lol...

Hi

I'm about to have broadband activated on my PC. (Possibly later today.) Hopefully, that should be no problem.

I have a laptop that won't have a broadband connection. What I wanted to do was do whatever it is you do with routers etc so that I can also go online with broadband when using the laptop.

I have a package containing: Wireless ADSL Router, adapter, ethernet cable, wireless USB dongle, cradle. I believe this is all I need, but, to be honest, I've no idea.

Thanks for any help.

James

ok, this should be plausable. Just read your manuel and it should explain the configuration settings.

Me again.

Thanks for all the advice. I thought I had this one cracked when I began to install the router yesterday, then hit a snag.

I began by connecting the power adapter to the back of the router, plugged it in and switched on. I then connected the ethernet cable as instructed. So far no problems.

Next up, I was told to insert the telephone cable supplied with the router into the ADSL port on the router (which I did), and 'then connect the cable to your telephone line'.

This is where I came unstuck. My ADSL filter has two openings - one for my phone and one for the broadband modem cable. The telephone cable I'm supposed to fit will only fit into the opening currently occupied by the modem cable from my PC.

I tried taking out the modem cable, but then, of course, I'm no longer connected to the internet. Besides which, the green 'status' light keeps flashing on the router, presumably telling me that something's not right.

Have I misunderstood something here? I assume all this hardware is to be connected to my broadband PC and not the laptop I want to share the broadband access. If it was the other way round it seems to defeat the purpose of it being a mobile laptop.

Does any of this make sense to anyone here? At present, I'm resigned to having to get someone in.

I'm trying to install a D-Link router. I phoned their technical support number but gave up after an hour spent listening to their rubbish music. That's the trouble with these so-called 'help' lines. Often they're nothing of the sort.

Thanks in advance, and. as always, I'll keep my fingers crossed!

James

Is this a stand alone router not a combined router/modem? According to this page from microsoft the router should be plugged into the modem.

Originally Posted by Jaynee

Is this a stand alone router not a combined router/modem? According to this page from microsoft the router should be plugged into the modem.

Hi, Jaynee, and thanks for your advice. Yes, it's a stand-alone router. I went to the page you suggested and had a look. Once again, everything seemed quite straightforward.

I connected my router to the modem as the instructions suggested. Because that meant I wasn't connected to the internet, I asumed that I must have to connect my remaining telephone cable from the back of my PC to the filter on my telephone socket. That seemed to cover everything in that it looked like the only way to connect modem to router and PC to internet.

Unfortunately, though all the green buttons lit up on my router, the status button kept blinking and it proved impossible to connect to the internet.

So again, I think I'm back to square one.

I appreciate the advice, though. I really did think it would solve my problem. Not sure what to do now, other than get a man in. When I see what he does, I expect I'll kick myself for getting wrong whatever it is I'm still getting wrong.

But if you, or anyone else has any other ideas in the meantime, I'll be very grateful.

All the best,

James

Is the modem built into the computer?

Originally Posted by Jaynee

Is the modem built into the computer?

No, it sits on top of the tower and is attached by cable to the back.