conuly

Yes, you can fix it with one. They're pretty cheap, especially if you get it on a sale, rebate-sale, or used. (I've seen them go for as low as $26 brand-new at CompUSA. I paid rather more for mine, but that was years ago.)

My father, my brother, and I all use NetGear MR814 routers. It's very easy to work with (basically, you plug it in and that's it)... It can take both wireless and wired connections, so it's cool whichever way you want to use it.

zathras26 uses a D-Link wired/wireless one, but it's an evil biotch I would recommend avoiding. (I haven't had happy times with D-Link stuff.)

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conuly

Thankies.

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Let me correct that...the Netgear one I have is $9.99 at CompUSA now after rebates! :-)

http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=298420&pfp=cat3

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conuly

Whee!

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targaff.livejournal.com

I have an MR814 as well; in fact, I have two. They're pretty damn nifty.

I can confirm, however, that they're not nifty enough to not blow up if you plug them into a British plug without changing the voltage first...

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lizziey.livejournal.com

wasn't 'dul getting u one of those?

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If you buy the cheapest D-Link, Netgear, or Linksys router you can find, you can't really go wrong (they cost $50-60ish, possibly as cheap as $40). You don't really need a wireless one, I'd imagine, but usually they're about the same price anyway, if you want that capability later.

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Well, this is pre-rebate, too. You can get better deals with that.

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How come my computer has software to set up a LAN?
Ie. Do you need a router & why?

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conuly

...?

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Seriously, you need a router for a LAN(local area network)?

My computer has software to set one up.

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conuly

You mean "Do you want to set up a LAN" or "Is this what one uses a router for"?

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Neither, zathras26 answered, thanks.

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You don't need a router -- you can use your computer as a router, as you correctly surmise. It's just that that's not the preferred method for various reasons... it's better to use a router.

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Thanks.
Why isn't it the preferred method?

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Using a separate hardware router is generally more stable and more secure than using your computer as a router. Not to mention which, if you want to use your computer as a router, you also have to install a second NIC in your computer. That's not difficult, but it's also something that a lot of people don't want to mess around with.

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NIC?

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Heh. Iunoo what it is, exactly but mine came set up.
It tells me there's a network cable unplugged.

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A "NIC" is a network interface card, which is what you use to connect to the Internet. Most computers have only one NIC. If you want to use your computer as a router, you have to have two.

It sounds like yours already has two installed, in which case it would be a lot simpler for you to set up your computer for use as a router. It's still better to have a separate router, but using your computer as a router will work OK, too.

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Thanks! :-)

Yeah, it came with all sorts of cool stuff.

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Yes, you can fix it with one. They're pretty cheap, especially if you get it on a sale, rebate-sale, or used. (I've seen them go for as low as $26 brand-new at CompUSA. I paid rather more for mine, but that was years ago.)

My father, my brother, and I all use NetGear MR814 routers. It's very easy to work with (basically, you plug it in and that's it)... It can take both wireless and wired connections, so it's cool whichever way you want to use it.

zathras26 uses a D-Link wired/wireless one, but it's an evil biotch I would recommend avoiding. (I haven't had happy times with D-Link stuff.)

From:

conuly

Thankies.

From:

Let me correct that...the Netgear one I have is $9.99 at CompUSA now after rebates! :-)

http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=298420&pfp=cat3

From:

conuly

Whee!

From:

targaff.livejournal.com

I have an MR814 as well; in fact, I have two. They're pretty damn nifty.

I can confirm, however, that they're not nifty enough to not blow up if you plug them into a British plug without changing the voltage first...

From:

lizziey.livejournal.com

wasn't 'dul getting u one of those?

From:

If you buy the cheapest D-Link, Netgear, or Linksys router you can find, you can't really go wrong (they cost $50-60ish, possibly as cheap as $40). You don't really need a wireless one, I'd imagine, but usually they're about the same price anyway, if you want that capability later.

From:

Well, this is pre-rebate, too. You can get better deals with that.

From:

How come my computer has software to set up a LAN?
Ie. Do you need a router & why?

From:

conuly

...?

From:

Seriously, you need a router for a LAN(local area network)?

My computer has software to set one up.

From:

conuly

You mean "Do you want to set up a LAN" or "Is this what one uses a router for"?

From:

Neither, zathras26 answered, thanks.

From:

You don't need a router -- you can use your computer as a router, as you correctly surmise. It's just that that's not the preferred method for various reasons... it's better to use a router.

From:

Thanks.
Why isn't it the preferred method?

From:

Using a separate hardware router is generally more stable and more secure than using your computer as a router. Not to mention which, if you want to use your computer as a router, you also have to install a second NIC in your computer. That's not difficult, but it's also something that a lot of people don't want to mess around with.

From:

NIC?

From:

Heh. Iunoo what it is, exactly but mine came set up.
It tells me there's a network cable unplugged.

From:

A "NIC" is a network interface card, which is what you use to connect to the Internet. Most computers have only one NIC. If you want to use your computer as a router, you have to have two.

It sounds like yours already has two installed, in which case it would be a lot simpler for you to set up your computer for use as a router. It's still better to have a separate router, but using your computer as a router will work OK, too.

From: