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General discussion

WiFi Help

Aug 15, 2005 10:35AM PDT

Hi,
I have a Dell Laptop and my roommate has an ibook. We want to get a wireless router and he tells me that he can only receive wireless signals via airport. Around my area, i've been able to use several people's unsecured wireless networks while he has not been able to.

If we are to go wireless, should we get the airport router then? Would i then need to buy some hardware to use the airport?
Or, should he get an adapter and we get a Netgear or nelkin wireless router?

Thanks for your help.

-Eddie

Discussion is locked

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Wireless
Aug 15, 2005 12:13PM PDT

To receive wireless signals on the iBook, it needs to have an Airport card installed. He would need an Aiport Extreme card, if the machine has not already got one.
Once he has it installed, he can receive wireless signals that use the 802.11b or 802.11g signal.
The Netgear or Belkink wireless router will work just fine for you both.
Just follow the instructions and read the Apple help file for information about connecting an Airport extreme fitted iBook to a third party (Belkin/Netgear) wireless router.

Enjoy

P

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Re:wifi
Aug 15, 2005 12:44PM PDT

Thanks for your help. It seems that he does have an airport extremem installed and we were thinking of buying the airport. What do you think? And, would I need to buy any additional software for my dell laptop?

THanks

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2 things...well 3 really
Aug 15, 2005 2:37PM PDT

If your room mate really has an airport card in the computer, then are you turning it on ?

also, make sure on the network/airport screen that the connect default is to be made automaticly...

also, make sure on the TCP/IP screen that the connection is configured using DHCP (I had changed this while messing around when I first got my iBook and my brother-in-law helpfully corrected this after my complaining about the crappy ethernet connection that "worked one day and not the next")

grim

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Wireless
Aug 15, 2005 9:55PM PDT

Great, now you are all set to go.
The Airport is the more expensive route but you can guarantee that it will work with the Mac. It will also work with the Dell.
Regarding setup. If you let the Airport setup assistant do its thing, all should be well with your setup.
Once again, Netgear/Belkin will also work for you.
You have not mentioned what sort of Internet connection you have.

P