Part Wireless System to Suit Laptop

[Galena1]

Hi All - I currently have two desktops (1 XP and 1 Vista) connected through cable modem and router as detailed below. I'm happy with this arrangement but now have a laptop (Windows 7) that I would like to use around the house only for the Internet. The laptop is wireless ready and transferring of files between the laptop and the desktops is not a requirement. My question is - What hardware do I need to add/change to enable wireless for the laptop only?
Modem = Virgin Ambit Model E08C013.00
Router = Belkin 4 Port Cable/DSL with one spare port.
Any info appreciated.
Regards -
G1

[Halcyon]

If I was you I would buy a new Wireless Cable router.
This will replace the old one and allow your XP andVista machine to plug in wired as usual.
You will then have the added Wireless to connect your laptop or any other Wifi devices round your house.

Since you have a spare port on the current router you could if you wanted to just plug in a wifi access point but you are better off getting a new wireless router.

[thenry]

which Belkins router have you got (model number will be on the bottom of the router itself)? have you set it up via 192.168.2.1 in your browser? if its playing up you could possibly get it upgraded for free with most of the old Belkins routers having lifetime warranty.

having said that you can get a free VM standard Hub, a modem/router in one by calling 150 from your VM landline tell them your stand alone modem is on its last legs. in fact you can do both, upgrade your Belkins router with the lifetime warranty and get a VM Hub free
or go one further and get a VM SuperHub for a fee and upgrade speed if you wish.

to connect your to lappy... click start bringing up the start menu > then within the left hand sided screen, on the right side of it you'll see 'connect to' click on it > a box will appear with various networks, find yours then connect using a password if you have one set up. if not then as mentioned above, set it up via a web browser connecting to 192.168.2.1

[Galena1]

Thank you both for your responses.
Current Router is Belkin Model No. F5D5231-4.
I like the idea of a new router to replace the existing, this will save adding to the considerable clutter/mess that already exists on my desk by plugging in a separate wireless unit. Any particular router that you would recommend? Preferrably Belkin again, but this isn't 'set in stone', as the existing unit has been 100% troublefree.
Re - "have you set it up via 192.168.2.1 in your browser?". To be honest, it was so long ago I can't remember. I seem to recall a Belkin installation CD that made the whole process fairly painless.
Regards -
G1

[MovedGoalPosts]

You wouldn't add another router to the existing router. That is just going to add extra problems to your network configuration. You can get a wireless access point that would plug into the spare port on the existing router. However the costs of wireless acces points are nearly those of a combined wireless router. I would just be replacing your Belkin for a current wireless router model. That can be using the VM hub or if you want the separate modem you have at present then your own choice.

Does your laptop have "g" or "n" wireless? If you are buying a new wireless router today, you should be looking at the "n" standard for faster wireless connections. Similarly, if you are likely to be transfering much data between your computers then it's worth seeing if the router you buy has gigabit (10/100/1000) rather than 10/100 wired connectivity.

[thenry]

as Rob said don't go adding 2 routers, 1 modem and 1 router is sufficient. the fact your router sucks with regards to it not being up to standards of today does hinder your chances of a decent set up so getting the right equipment is a must now.

right. your Belkins unit isn't wireless capable but it has a lifetime warranty as far as I know so you can get this replaced/upgraded free but you'll be without a router for a week at the most while the switch over is done unless you've still got your receipt/proof of purchase. if you have got proof then they will send you a repalcement before you send your 'faulty' unit back!

open this link > http://en-uk-support.belkin.com/app/...port/a_id/2467

and click on Chat with a Support Assistant and enter your details and a valid email address as you'll get updated via the addy to each reply you get from Belkin to which you'll have to open up a link and respond via Belkins suport site... anyway via chat support state the unit hasn't been trouble free etc. it'll then be forwarded to 3rd level i think. there you'll have to accept a replacement model as your model is now discontinued being so old. this is also where you provide proof of purchase if you've got it. if not a pre paid RMA will be sent via email for you to print out and stick onto the return package with the router in then sent via Royal Mail. UPS will then deliver your new unit within a week... its a week maybe 2 at most.

when the new router is delivered don't bother using the CD, just set up via the web interface IP which is 192.168.2.1.. the CD is useless.

get on here whenever your stuck, theres loads of heads able to help you

[MovedGoalPosts]

Where is it said that the existing Belkin router is faulty As it is not faulty there is no reason for it to be replaced and even if it were faulty why would it be replaced with a wireless enabled version superior to the customer's original model

This was never a wireless enabled router. If the OP wants wireless he would need to have something with wireless functionality, either an access point added to the existing network, or my recommendation a replacement of the existing router with a wireless enabled router.

[thenry]

opps thought it was faulty

anyway the unit would be replaced for a wireless capable router as they don't have hard wired standard routers anymore as far as I know.

[Halcyon]

Just get a wireless broadband router and replace the wired router you currently have.
Job done.

Make sure you turn off your modem when you do this so it can get the new settings when you turn the new router on.