Would like to set up home network

[Shelley181146]

:attention:

 

I work on my laptop wirelessly in the lounge situated near to the router and usually save work to my USB and then run (hardly) upstairs plug USB into my old desk computer (does not have internet access) to print off or scan documents.

 

What would I need to do or buy to set up my own network so that I can print an email from my laptop, albeit, the printer will still be upstairs.

 

Also, as my printer is also a fax, what do I need to connect to it, in order to be able to fax a document? Presumably, the telephone cable will need to be plugged in to the back of the printer? but the telephone is downstairs!

 

I am not a novice with PC but I am not a geek either.

 

Any help would be appreciated folks.

 

Shelley

[locutus]

I presume you have wireless on the laptop, so you can get a wifi card for the PC and connect it to the internet using that, then "share" the printer on the network. For faxing you would need an extention running to the printer/fax (remember to plug a microfilter in)

 

If running a cable to the printer is a no-no, then you could use an online fax service (google them Skype has one called "pamfax") but you will end up paying for sending your fax's.

[SOD'EM]

For just printing purposes, you could just install the printer software onto your laptop. When you want to print something, just take your laptop upstairs and connect that to your printer. As for the other thing......just do what Locotus said.

[locutus]

Just to point out, if you go my way of printer sharing (ie connecting the upstairs PC to the internet, and sharing the printer on that PC) the upstairs PC will need to be switched on for you to be able to print.

[postmn]

well i have done what the original poster wants to do i have the router downstairs i have a wii connected mobile phone(when in range 2 computers plus i sometime use the laptop as well i have a canon mp495 wifi printer upstairs that everyone prints to . (thin that Bt advert and you have got my house there) BTW i only paid £30 for the printer

[Shelley181146]

WOW! Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I have a question or two please.

 

1) Is this what you call a Wifi card? (300M WIFI USB 2.0 Wireless Network LAN Adapter Card 802.11n/g/b for PC Laptop) and if so, what does the 300M mean because I have seen different sizes?

2) Will this affect the speed of the downloads?

3) How much would one cost?

4) I don't fancy the Skype way but what is a Microfilter? How much are these?

 

I have done the Mobile phone way and installed the printer disk to my laptop but it was a hassle. I need something more permanent as I maybe setting up a new business working from home - early stages yet. Currently researching the industry and viability first but the home network thing will help me with my bank claims in the meantime.

 

I really appreciate your guidance, thank you all.

 

Shelley

[dx100uk]

what operating system [os windows]

 

do you have on our computers?

 

dony forget you can setup a home group

and share resources by that method. inc printers as long as all pc's are in the same home [work] group.

 

if you have vista or widows 7 on one of your pc's then its easy.

 

dx

[locutus]

1 that one seems fine, USB2 is OK but I'd go for a PCI one as that will have better range as they have proper aerials on them, however you will have to take the side off your PC to install it.

2 no, it shares the download with the laptop, so if you download on 1, it'll slow the other, if 1 is just idle upstairs it'll not effect anything.

3 They start at around a tenner.

4 A microfilter is something for ADSL (IE a BT phone line) to cut interference. You need one for every piece of telephone equipment (telephone / fax machine / old computer modem). (If you are with cable then ignore that )

 

Also, what version of windows is on the PC and laptop? (just so I can explain how to network best... they're all slightly different)

 

 

EDIT: Posted at the same time as DX... as he rightly says, if you are using vista or newer, then it's pretty easy.

[Shelley181146]

what operating system [os windows]

 

do you have on our computers?

 

dony forget you can setup a home group

and share resources by that method. inc printers as long as all pc's are in the same home [work] group.

 

if you have vista or widows 7 on one of your pc's then its easy.

 

dx

 

Hi there dx, thanks for dropping in.

 

I have just checked and the PC upstairs is Windows XP (Professional 2002) Pentium 4 (248mb)

It's nothing special. Had it given to me before I bought the laptop for my degree course.

 

The laptop is Windows 7 and the printer is an officejet.

 

You all make it sound so simple.

[Shelley181146]

1 that one seems fine, USB2 is OK but I'd go for a PCI one as that will have better range as they have proper aerials on them, however you will have to take the side off your PC to install it. I dont mind doing that

2 no, it shares the download with the laptop, so if you download on 1, it'll slow the other, if 1 is just idle upstairs it'll not effect anything. OK

3 They start at around a tenner. Thats less than I expected

4 A microfilter is something for ADSL (IE a BT phone line) to cut interference. You need one for every piece of telephone equipment (telephone / fax machine / old computer modem). (If you are with cable then ignore that ) Got Virgin on TV,Phone & Internet

 

Also, what version of windows is on the PC and laptop? (just so I can explain how to network best... they're all slightly different) PC has XP Prof 2002 (248mb) & Laptop is Windows 7

 

 

EDIT: Posted at the same time as DX... as he rightly says, if you are using vista or newer, then it's pretty easy.

 

Will probably need guidance when I get the part(s) please

[locutus]

Well, this is a PCI card

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-Link-TL-WN781ND-150Mbps-Wireless-Express/dp/B0036AFAEW/ref=dp_cp_ob_computers_title_2/278-5730863-2071107

 

Providing you have a strong signal in the room where your PC is (test it with your laptop) that card will suit you 100%.

[Shelley181146]

That's brilliant thank you Locutus. I have ordered one and should be with me early next week.

 

I'm not usually online during the day, tends to be 22.00hrs onwards and sometimes upto 4-5am. Bit of a nightowl.

 

Will have a look the week-end and measure up how long I need the cable to be to connect the printer to the phone inlet downstairs. Will the plugs at each end be the same?

[locutus]

Probably not... Probably more like this

 

It's a BT to RJ11 cable. (BT for the phone socket and RJ11 for the printer most likely)

You could get a short one of those, and a standard telephone extention to take the line upstairs.

 

What printer is it (just to confirm the cable you need)

[dx100uk]

when you get the PC with the printer online [via the wi-fi card]

 

as you've got win7 on the lappy

 

it will be easy to setup your home group to be able to print from anywhere

 

win7 provides a nice little util that you 'send' to a penstick

that all you have to do is plug that in the upstairs pc and it will do it for you./

 

jus remember though

 

download microsoft security essentials to you penstick too

and install that on your upstairs pc FIRST as it will have no

anti-virus on it!

 

me or locutus can help you along the way i'm sure

 

dx

[Shelley181146]

Thats the one.

My printer is an HP Officejet 4500.

 

I have just located the instruction manual but can't yet understand it because the telephone line is connected to my answerphone and there are different instructions for that! ARGH!!!

Does this make it harder?

[Shelley181146]

I'm using Internet Explorer on my Laptop and on Sunday I did a Full system scan and since doing it my IE keeps closing and restarting on its own.

No viruses were found so I can't explain it. Should I change to Chrome?

 

dx, I think I am understanding what you are saying but not sure. However the PC upstairs has got Avast security anti virus on it but it will need updating no doubt.

Are you calling a USB memory stick a 'Penstick'?

[Shelley181146]

So excited and very pleased to report that the fax facility has worked.

 

Not yet sent/received a fax yet but have run the 'test' facility and the report says all passed.

 

:whoo:

I did have to do some D.I.Y involving floor boards, hammer, torch, saw and a cushion.

 

Huge, huge thanks to you all - I have learnt something new today and I am like the cat who got the cream.

[Shelley181146]

Well, this is a PCI card

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-Link-TL-WN781ND-150Mbps-Wireless-Express/dp/B0036AFAEW/ref=dp_cp_ob_computers_title_2/278-5730863-2071107

 

Providing you have a strong signal in the room where your PC is (test it with your laptop) that card will suit you 100%.

 

Finally arrived today but doesn't seem to fit.

 

Is it because my PC is an old flat base rather than a tower?

[locutus]

They're a standard size... what PC is it? (the only time I can think this would not fit is in a slimline PC)

[Shelley181146]

I wouldn't call it slimline - its about 10+yr old and is the old flat base when monitors use to sit on the top of them. It is HP. Would the serial number be any good?

 

I will see of I can find a picture. Are we allowed to post pictures?

[locutus]

Yeah, to upload, go to a site like photobucket then copy the "forum" link here.

 

A model number should be good tho, probably find it online.

[Shelley181146]

Here's a link to an identical one

ww.ebay.co.uk/itm/HP-Hewlett-Packard-SFF-DC7100-Desktop-PC-3-0GHz-P4-1GB-RAM-80GB-DVD-ROM-XP-Pro-/270988633601?pt=UK_Computing_DesktopPCs&hash=item3f182e6601#ht_1654wt_1336

 

Is that any help?

 

If they're standard, I can't see how it will fit.

 

Sorry for the uncertainty.

[havinastella]

I wouldn't call it slimline - its about 10+yr old and is the old flat base when monitors use to sit on the top of them. It is HP. Would the serial number be any good?

 

I will see of I can find a picture. Are we allowed to post pictures?

 

Of course!

[Shelley181146]

ww.ebay.co.uk/itm/HP-Hewlett-Packard-SFF-DC7100-Desktop-PC-3-0GHz-P4-1GB-RAM-80GB-DVD-ROM-XP-Pro-/270988633601?pt=UK_Comput ing_DesktopPCs&hash=item3 f182e6601#ht_1654wt_1336

 

This looks like it and I will have a look for a model number

[locutus]

OK, this is what you should see when you open it up

 

 

The white slots (bottom right) are where the PCI wifi card goes