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General discussion

A wireless network with different Windows PCs?

Jun 5, 2005 2:55AM PDT

I'm a newbie and your typical PC novice and would appreciate your advice. I haven't read any other similar threads, so I apologise if this is an old problem. Please direct me to the old answers if so.

I want to set up a wireless home network, but have a few concerns about compatability of my PC's?

I currently have three PC's:

1. An old 'Time' PC (1.2Ghz AMD Athlon, 512Mb RAM, Windows Me) which is currently the main desktop PC. It connects to Wanadoo 512Mb Broadband via an 'Alcatel ADSL modem' with digital filters to the telephone lines.

2. A Dell Inspiron Laptop (2.6Ghz P4, 512Mb, XP Home) that was my work laptop, but has recently been replaced. I use to connect to the office network/internet via ethernet and never used it at home for internet purposes. I'll obviously need to put in some PCMIA adapter card to make it wireless.

3. A recently purchased Sony Vaio FS (1.86Ghz Pent M with Centrino, 512Mb, XP Home) that has replaced my Dell for the office.

Can the standard PC routers, etc. connect all this together to form a wireless secure network. It's the different operating systems that I'm worried about.
The sales people at my local PC World didn't give me confidence that they knew what they were saying!

All I want to do is wireless connect all my computers on an 'ad hoc' basis, so they can get Broadband access and share one printer.

I would be grateful for your advice.

CHL

Discussion is locked

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Yes.
Jun 5, 2005 3:05AM PDT

But such can stress new networking owners as they find out that the router may come with outdated firmware, the drivers for the Wifi cards will be outdated and wizards have the intelligence of a gnat.

But yes, it all can work.

Bob

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Thank you!
Jun 5, 2005 3:25AM PDT

... I think... (I'll beware of the gnats!...)

CHL

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BTW, is it worth upgrading...
Jun 5, 2005 3:27AM PDT

...The Windows Me to XP on such an old desktop, to make things easier in the network?

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not on your current hardware
Jun 5, 2005 3:31AM PDT

Windows xp need higher specification to run.

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No.
Jun 5, 2005 3:39AM PDT

Here's why. Very few have been told that besides XP, you also need drivers of all the hardware in your machines. And the machine will run slower with the larger OS.

Bob

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i would say yes
Jun 5, 2005 3:43AM PDT
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I would say yes too, but consider cost...
Jun 5, 2005 1:16PM PDT

I have a Pentium III 1.0Ghz w/256MB Gateway all-in-one that was upgraded from ME to XPpro and runs fine, much more responsive and stable than before. Gawd ME was a dog. XP found all the drivers it needed for even that totally proprietary system. Also rebuilt an AMD 1.13Ghz w/512MB and loaded XPpro. It's fine too. The secret is a complete reformat and clean install.

However, cost is a consideration. Seems like even an upgrade version or an OEM version costs half the price of a new box these days.

dw