Setting up WiFi for the first time...

...need some help please

from WinCustomize Forums

I've recently been asked by a friend to setup his new wireless internet. Since the contractor used by the IP wants $100 just for labor, he wants to buy all the equipment he needs from 3rd party vendors to try and save some money.
Now, in my humble opinion, I'd say I know maybe just a hair more about computers that the average layman, but I've never used wifi or anything wireless and consequently know nothing about it.
He lives less than 1000 ft from the tower and the install guy made it sould like he would need special equipment, which happened to be more expensive than the "standard" equipment "normally" used.
This would be for a one desktop home, so nothing fancy. I think I need an antenna, cable and USB adapter or PCI wireless card.
Is that the only equipment I need?
Do I need a special type of coaxial cable?
What type of antenna would work best for this application?
How do I "tune" the antenna?

Any and all help/comments will be greatly appreciated!   
4,821 views 10 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I'm not an expert by any means but how about this, if you have a lap top with wifi or have a friend that has one go to the house and see if they can get the signal. If you are that close to a transmission tower you should be able to get it. If you get a signal I would walk around inside the house to identify good and bad spots.

I have DSL with a modem that has wifi, one desktop computer is hard wire and another desktop has a USB adapter and a lap top has a wireless card. Works fine, I know it's not same set up, but subsitute the DSL for straight wifi from the tower and you seem to have what you talking about.

Unless you were going to connect other computer in the house on a net why would you need cable?

Hope that made sense and was of some help. If I'm wrong I'm sure someone will reply with a correct response.   
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Well I would of thought there would be more replies by now.
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Reply #3 from JoeUser Forums Top
I would have to know a LOT more about the setup. There's simply not enough information provided.

I work for an ISP and would always suggest going through the ISP's contractors. Generally, if something goes wrong, you've got someone to go back on.

For the record, our standard service call fee is $99, so the contractor's fees are not outrageous.
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I would start out with just the PCI wireless card and see what kind of signal you pick up and go from there.
Reply #5 from JoeUser Forums Top
heigar,

Unless it's a WiFi hot spot, any network he's picking up will likely be the neighbors'.

Jack,

You need to know the frequency, first off. If he's already paid for service, find out if the IP is static or dynamic. In this case, it is probably static, but check just to be sure. If it is static, make sure you have the IP, subnet mask, default gateway, primary, and secondary DNS.

Honestly, it's probably better to have it professionally installed unless you know exactly what you're doing.

Contrary to popular belief, MOST ISP's are not going to lie to you when they tell you you need special equipment. There are exceptions, of course, but ideally you don't want to be doing business with those types.
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
See, I knew the smart people would show up.   
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top

heigar,

Unless it's a WiFi hot spot, any network he's picking up will likely be the neighbors.


That is why I would leave it up to the pro's.

It was much easier for me seeing I am running off a cable connection, not a tower, in which I would be in the same boat he is in!
Reply #9 from JoeUser Forums Top
See, I knew the smart people would show up.


Where? LOL!