Linksys Wireless...What do I need? – 3777 days old

[polaray]

I am running winXP home on my desktop. It is an ATX Motherboard MSI K7T Turbo2.

My wife has an IBM-380D thinkpad with 48 mb ram and Pentium 150 mhz. It Runs Windows 98.

I was curious if a wireless USB port would allow us both to use the printer.

I have been looking at my local Walmart at Linksys wireless systems.

Do I need the pcmcia wireless card for the notebook and the pci wireless that has the little antennea out the back for the desktop?

Also I may be adding another desktop later on.

[Jizzy]

Yes you do need the Wireless PC card for her notebook and the PCI wireless card for your desktop in order for you to be able to use the wireless network.

[martzweb]

if you only need to link 2 machines you can get a usb wireless adapter for your desktop, and a pcmcia wireless card for your laptop, set both to run in "ad-hoc" mode, and set your internet connection sharing to use the wireless usb point for sharing ... voila, you can share printers / files / internet via wireless.

i'm going to be doing up a how-to in node to node wireless networking some time this week, so that may help you

m

[polaray]

Thanks Zack...those two items will cost me about 130.00 altogether...worth it I guess.

[polaray]

Thanks Martz...so will these two items be what I need?

I look forward to your article....

Grogan help me with my network when I used nic cards...and it worked well.

[Jizzy]

Yeah, those look right for your needs. Like Martz said, you can also get a USB wireless one for your desktop (so you don't have to open the computer's case), however if you're comfortable with plugging in a card, you'll be fine .

[polaray]

Ok Guys...great. I built my desktop...so I am no stranger to the insides...

McGlen's did install my 1700 AMD and Thermaltake Heatsink and fan. As they tested it I was glad to let them install for only 9.00 more.

[polaray]

I found this out about the thinkpad:

4Mbps infra-red (IrDA IR data link specification Version 1.1 compatibility) so does this mean wrieless is built in.

Also when it boots you get the option to boot wireless or wired.

What would you need to interface if it has wirless already inside?

The notebook was provided to my wife at her school so we don't have much information about it. No manual was included.

[prod]

That might work if you can also find an IR datalink adapter for the desktop pc, but remember IR is line-of-sight within a few feet. This feature is more for moving small personal files, not networking printers or internet between two peoples computers.
I would go wireless lan myself, like your original idea.

[Jizzy]

PolaRay - The IrDA does not mean it has wireless (in the form we are talking about anyway). Infrared is a technology similar to how your remote control works, you must be in the line of sight of whatever you are communicating with. What you want to do is the ability to communicate through walls, using the 802.11b standard (there is no reason to go 802.11a if you want to print). You would need a print server like this (http://www.linksys.com/products/prod...id=37&prid=438).

[polaray]

Glad you gave me a better understanding of this...one more question what does this mean?

27Mbps Zoomed Port (ZV) in lower slot, Type II PC Card in top slot, Cirrus Logic CL-PD6729 (PCI)

Did not get any pc cards with this thinkpad...

[martzweb]

polaray ... i suggested the external usb adapter for your desktop because i honestly beleive that the internal pci card would suffer from a lit of rf noise being in such close proximity to fans etc.

.... plus the usb ones tend to be half the price.

dont use IR if you can help it .... it is painfully slow

[Jizzy]

Sounds like you can install a PCMCIA card in the "top slot."

[polaray]

Thanks Martz...Walmart has the external usb adaptor for 69.00 I believe. Thank for the tips.

[polaray]

Zack how did you get the online now smiley...just mods have them.

The thinkpad has an odd slot infront of the pc card slot which has to pegs that pull up and fold over. It is about 1/4 by 1/2 rectangle.
I thought maybe this was a place for a cable like a CAT-R45plug or something.

[Jizzy]

Polaray:

Everyone, including you, have the "Online" glow under your avatar as long as you are online. I am just a member, not a mod/admin (Martz is an admin though).

The "odd slot" could be your "27Mbps Zoomed Port," however I am not too sure. If you can, post the model number of the laptop and/or take a picture of the slot. I'm sure one of the experts here will be able to tell you exactly what it is.

[TJM4FUN]

Polaray,
That slot you are talkin about is the eject buttons for the cpmcia cards. you flip them straight out and push in to eject the card from the slot.
If both tabs are out and folded over, that means there are 2 cards in the slots...
you will have to pop them out to see what they really are...

Ther ae cards in there, but probably of little or no use..

To get all the info for this laptop, go here:

http://www.pc.ibm.com/support?lang=e...ad+380D%7C2635

Then enter the model number from the label on the bottom, which is the 3 digits after the 2635 machine type. that link will lead you to a more exact area for downloads..

For the user guide go here:
http://www.pc.ibm.com/qtechinfo/LWIK...user1004106089

Any more questions, gimme a holler, I have all types of thinkpads at my fingertips here...

[polaray]

Thanks tjm4fun those links are just what I need.

There doesn't seem to be any pc cards in the slot...we were just playing around and noticed you could lift the pegs up.

[BigBrother]

Polaray---The online now smiley is for Yahoo messenger. If you have Yahoo messenger on it will be on, if you selected it in your preferences that is.