Internet Connection Help Please

Can someone please give me some advise on how to connect my laptop to the Internet ? My connection on my desktop is a two wire connection. I tried looking it up but it was a little technically confusing. One place said I need a router and another place said just run the the internet connection setup. I started the setup but it wanted the security key. So I have two questions do I need a router ? And what is the key ? And where do I find this security key ?

Thanks to anyone who can steer me in the right direction with this problem.

hatshepsut

You need a router if you want to connect your laptop using wifi. If your laptop has a place to plug in your ethernet cable, you can just unplug the cable from your desktop and switch it to your laptop.

The security key is the password to be allowed to connect to whatever wifi signal is available to you. If you're trying to use one of your neighbors' connections that shows up on the list, look for an unsecured one. Chances are good that you won't find one, but sometimes you get lucky :p

Thanks Jen

Then would the router and connection to wifi allow me to connect to the internet without having the laptop hooked up to a cable ?

hatshepsut

You should be good to go , provided the wifi in your laptop is turned on . There may be another step or two , but I can't seem to remember if there is or not . I would advise , that for security purposes on your router , if it is a wireless router , to disable the SSID broadcast , change the security connection to WPA2/TSK , & change the default administrator password , at least every 30 days (the password ) . The SSID , & the WPA2/TSK change is one time only .

Thanks Faust. The laptop says that wifi is enabled. I hope that process of disabling and changing isn't to complicated. I'm glad I will only have to do it once.

hatshepsut

Hat...

When you get your router, you should receive instructions on how to set up the security. I have DSL, so my router came from the phone company. It was pretty straightforward.

JK

JK

I have DSL too. Instructions and pretty straight forward is a relief to know. With the DSL would a router from the phone company be the way to go ?

hatshepsut

jkeerie wrote:

Hat...

When you get your router, you should receive instructions on how to set up the security. I have DSL, so my router came from the phone company. It was pretty straightforward.

JK

I have dsl myself . Setup is quite easy . The process lasted about 10 minutes .

Depending on the phone company ( I have AT&T) , the dsl modem may be provided .

Having the router from the phone company (In my case Verizon) certainly allows you to contact them with setup and support issues. In my case, the router manual was in electronic format. Once you hook up the router, you access it via an IP address to change any settings. The SSID and key are provided, but they suggest you change them for easier recall.

I actually had to upgrade my modem/router in order to be able to VPN into my compter at work. The original modem didn't have the setting access to allow use of the VPN. They provided me with a newer modem/router free of charge since I had subscribed to their monthly maintenance fee. The newer router is a lot nicer and allows me to change the security to allow for VPN access when needed.

jkeerie wrote:

Having the router from the phone company (In my case Verizon) certainly allows you to contact them with setup and support issues. In my case, the router manual was in electronic format. Once you hook up the router, you access it via an IP address to change any settings. The SSID and key are provided, but they suggest you change them for easier recall.

I actually had to upgrade my modem/router in order to be able to VPN into my compter at work. The original modem didn't have the setting access to allow use of the VPN. They provided me with a newer modem/router free of charge since I had subscribed to their monthly maintenance fee. The newer router is a lot nicer and allows me to change the security to allow for VPN access when needed.

Sounds like a sweet deal ! AT&T sent along a router with the dsl modem , but I never used the router (Linksys e1000) . My computer is the only computer in the house , & I run directly to the modem .

Success. I got the router hooked up and got the laptop connected to internet.

Thank you all for your help

hatshepsut

YIPPIEHATS????? Sounds like something you get after visiting Mexico and drinking the water.

GreyFuss wrote:

YIPPIEHATS????? Sounds like something you get after visiting Mexico and drinking the water.

Too funny GreyFuss !

Yay! It's really nice to be able to surf from anywhere in your house, isn't it?

Oh yes it is really nice to be able to go to any room and surf the net.

hatshepsut