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Solve : WiFi to my desktop, via my laptop?

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Good morning,

I wonder if you can help me. I have a laptop that has WiFi capability. Can I link it to my desktop in anyway so I can use the wifi on my desktop?

Thanks in advanceunfortunately, what you want is impossible although there other way we could make connection with your laptop via desktop or vise versa, all need to do is to buy a wireless access-point that will connect your desktop and your laptop. Quote from: Matt567 on December 29, 2009, 02:19:29 AM

I have a laptop that has WiFi capability. Can I link it to my desktop in anyway so I can use the wifi on my desktop?

1.  Probably.  But I'm not clear on "what" you want to do or "why".  There may be better ways to achieve your "objective".  (That might include spending money on additional network components.)

2.  Objective.  What is your objective (or system requirements to be satisfied)?
     a.  To share a single internet connection among both computers.
          (1)  Internet through "wireless" network ADAPTOR of laptop.
          (2)  Internet through "wired" network adaptor of desktop.
     b.  To share files and/or printer between desktop and laptop.
     c.  To share a single "wireless" connection to your own or someone else's local area network among both computers.
     d.  One time transfer of files from one computer to the other.

3.  Internet Access.  If you want to share a single Internet connection among both the desktop and laptop, where does the Internet enter your home?
     a.  DSL Modem
     b.  Cable Modem
     c.  Wireless Modem?
     d.  Dial-up
 
4.  Laptop WiFi capability.  If by WiFi, you mean the laptop has a standard "wireless" network adaptor, then it may be used to connect to either a "wireless access point" (infrastructure mode) or another "wireless" network adaptor (ad-hoc mode).

5.  Reference(s):
     a.  Home Network, Wireless Network and Computer Networking Made Easy
     b.  Windows XP: Networking your home or small business
     c.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WiFiHi,

To clarify, I'm trying to avoid buying a USB dongle for my desktop.

To answer your questions;

I want to use my laptop to provide an internet connection for my desktop

I have BT Broadband, provided wirelessly throughout my house

My laptop has a standard network adaptor

Thanks1.  Okay...  Well I've never setup Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) on a "wireless" connection; but I think it will work.

2.  Crossover Cable.  You'll need a "crossover" ethernet cable to connect the laptop computer to the desktop through their "wired" network connectors.  I'd configure the laptop computer for ICS before physically connecting the two computers together.

Note:  It's supposed to be a "crossover" cable, but if one (or more?) of the network adaptors has automatic crossover implemented and enabled, a "STRAIGHT" through ethernet cable might work.

3.  Reference(s).  For the documentation in the following links, the laptop will be the "host" ICS computer and the desktop will be the "client" ICS computer.
     a.  Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) in Microsoft Windows
     b.  ICS Host Computer Setup in Windows XP
     c.  Internet Connection Sharing – ICS Client Computer Setup

4.  SATISFACTION Not Guaranteed.  If you successfully enable ICS through the "wireless" adaptor of laptop, the laptop must be on for desktop internet access and you'll be limited by its processing power, processing load, and the THROUGHPUT rate of its "wireless" connection.

Although you should be able to "surf" the internet and perform "normal" downloads through the ICS connection, there are functional limitations that a normal connection doesn't have.  I just don't remember what they are...


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