How easy is it to connect a Linksys router to my desktop & use my Laptop on-line? I have a desktop in basement and my laptop is on main floor (one level). I want to be able to use my laptop in my bedroom instead of going downstairs all the time to connect to internet.
Would I have to connect the Linksys router to my external modem in basement and have a sensor on my laptop to pick up the signal and would Linksy software be installed on laptop also? I never done anything like this before.

1. How Easy. Many people have taken the journey and completed it successfully.

2. Wireless Access Point Location. You get better coverage if the wireless router (or access point) is "higher" in the house rather than "lower". From a practical standpoint, you just have to try it.

An ALTERNATIVE to "wireless" access is using the home's electrical power lines for a home network. The advantage is you can plug a network adapter into any electrical outlet and connect your computer to the adapter. In your case you'd connect laptop (not sure which interface) to adapter in bedroom; and home router to adapter in basement. I don't know anyone who has ever used this option. Not sure about security (does data extend to the electrical line outside of the house)?

3. Wireless Configuration. My expectation is you would locate wireless router (or access point) in basement and use wireless interface on laptop. Many laptops have wireless interface built-in. If yours doesn't, you would buy a peripheral wireless device to plug into laptop. They're available for several different interfaces. The USB and PCMCIA (PC card) interfaces are popular. Make sure device you buy is compatible with your OPERATING system and has software driver available if needed. Many people buy same adapter brand as their wireless router on the assumption they should work well together.

An alternate configuration would be to place wireless router in bedroom connected via ETHERNET cable to modem in basement, and place wireless adapter on basement desktop. Or have ISP provider relocate modem to more convenient location upstairs.

4. Reference(s):
Microsoft - Setting up your network
Linksys - Learning Center
What is Wireless Network
Step-by-Step: Creating a Wireless Network – Part 1Thx for all the info, my laptop is old about 4 years old or more, So i PROBABLY would need a USB and PCMCIA (PC card) interfaces, My main computer desktop is in the basement, and connected to Internet by DSL so external modem is connected to lane-line (AT&T). I'm not sure how good of a signal I'll get from basement to upstairs bedroom or vise-veraI had a problem like that. Here is what I did.
I spent some time finding the best location in my souse for a wireless router.
Next I bought a upgrade from the plhone company that has the modem, the LAN and the wireless all in one.
Any where in the house I can get the wireless signal easy. And so can visitors who bring their own laptops.
But my office is in another building. Too far. So I ran the network cable out there and used a HUB to boost the signal from the network cable. Works fine.

Hint: Buy cable in bulk from a VENDOR that gives you a good discount. The LAN cable can run up to 300 feet and you still get 100 m bps, which is a lot faster than wireless. Beyond 300 feet you need a HUB.

The other way is to use a AP, Access point, to improve the coverage of your wireless. But I do not like that and will leave it to somebody else to explain.
Quote from: MD507 on September 07, 2009, 07:05:07 PM

Thx for all the info, my laptop is old about 4 years old or more, So i probably would need a USB and PCMCIA (PC card) interfaces.

Has anyone tried the wall-plugged network extender kit?