Deth Muncher's Latest Compuderp

[Deth Muncher]

Okay, I have a question. I have a desktop, which is in various stages of revision (i.e. new harddrive, needz moar RAM, etc). I also have a laptop. The desktop, however, does not have internet capabilities - that is to say, wireless internet capability. Now, instead of going and buying a dongle to give it wireless internet, can I just hook it up to my laptop somehow and give it internet? Is that kind of thing possible?

[Savannah]

Can't you connect your desktop directly to your modem/router thingie? (No, I'm not exactly what you'd call a computer expert. But I do know vaguely how to plug things in and get internet :smalltongue:)

[SDF]

If you have an extra USB port just get a USB wireless card. It should be like $20 at most.

[factotum]

It's theoretically possible to use Internet Connection Sharing on the laptop to provide Internet to the desktop machine, but you have to connect them together to do this. At the very least you'd need to purchase a crossover Ethernet cable and make sure the network settings at each end were set up so they could talk to each other. I have to say that purchasing a wireless dongle (or even a PCI wireless card) would probably be easier!

[Brother Oni]

With regard to ICS that factotum mentioned, it can be very dependent on which OS the laptop and the desktop are running. Even different versions of windows can have issues (or rather, especially different versions of windows :smallsigh:).

[OracleofWuffing]

ICS is one of those things where it'll either work out of the box or annoy you for five years. One thing I'd like to point out is that if you're going to go that route, your notebook is going to be on and within cord range of your desktop at any given moment you're using the desktop. So, like, you would just use your notebook computer. Maybe even notebook with your desktop's monitor plugged in.

You're probably going to have to go out to buy a crossover cable (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100008189%20600026302&IsNodeId=1&name=5E%20%28Crossover%29) (unless you make your own cat-5, in which case just switch the two colors on one end), so it really just kinda makes as much sense to pay up for the internal wireless (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100010074%20600014290&IsNodeId=1&name=PCI) support or USB dongle (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100010074%20600014288&IsNodeId=1&name=USB%202.0). Those links have been pulled out of air, there's probably better deals and worse deals any way you slice it.

And, um, if you get the wise idea of doing ICS via 56k modem... NO DO NOT DO THAT YOU DO NOT WANT TO DO THAT THAT IS WHAT THE NINTH CIRCLE OF THE ABYSSAL NETHERBOWELS LOOKS LIKE.

[Deth Muncher]

Can't you connect your desktop directly to your modem/router thingie? (No, I'm not exactly what you'd call a computer expert. But I do know vaguely how to plug things in and get internet :smalltongue:)

Unfortunaely, the router is downstairs.


ICS is one of those things where it'll either work out of the box or annoy you for five years. One thing I'd like to point out is that if you're going to go that route, your notebook is going to be on and within cord range of your desktop at any given moment you're using the desktop. So, like, you would just use your notebook computer. Maybe even notebook with your desktop's monitor plugged in.

You're probably going to have to go out to buy a crossover cable (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100008189%20600026302&IsNodeId=1&name=5E%20%28Crossover%29) (unless you make your own cat-5, in which case just switch the two colors on one end), so it really just kinda makes as much sense to pay up for the internal wireless (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100010074%20600014290&IsNodeId=1&name=PCI) support or USB dongle (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100010074%20600014288&IsNodeId=1&name=USB%202.0). Those links have been pulled out of air, there's probably better deals and worse deals any way you slice it.

And, um, if you get the wise idea of doing ICS via 56k modem... NO DO NOT DO THAT YOU DO NOT WANT TO DO THAT THAT IS WHAT THE NINTH CIRCLE OF THE ABYSSAL NETHERBOWELS LOOKS LIKE.

D: Oh fine, I'll go try to find a USB dongle then...the ones I found were like 70 bucks though. :/ Maybe I'll try Newegg...anyone have any suggestions for what kind of USB dongle I should get?

[Phishfood]

I share internet from my PC to my laptop sometimes using the windows network bridge feature.

Its not great, but when you need to move large files it is very useful to have 1GB rather than "54MB".

[The Succubus]

Unfortunaely, the router is downstairs.



D: Oh fine, I'll go try to find a USB dongle then...the ones I found were like 70 bucks though. :/ Maybe I'll try Newegg...anyone have any suggestions for what kind of USB dongle I should get?

That really depends on your router.

Wireless networks come in several flavours: A/B/G/N. N is the most modern type so unless you bought your router within the last year or so, I doubt it supports N type. Most USB dongles support A/B/G types and prices tend to be below £20 /$30:

Amazon search for USB adaptors. (http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_13?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=wireless+usb+adapter&sprefix=wireless+usb+)

My belkin one has been fairly dependable, Netgear is alright as well.