Wi-Fi

[Astrogiblet]

What do i need to connect to the internet using Wi-Fi with my new TH55? I need to know everything i will need. And, am i going to have to buy a seperate internet plan for Wi-Fi? or can i use my DSL. I have very very very limited knowledge on Wireless Fidelity, and any information to help me out would be greatly appreciated!



Brandon

[Astrogiblet]

i guess it doesnt understand that im registered, i put in everything, but it hates me : (



Brandon

[kingshoe]

Astrogiblet,

Do you have a wireless router connected to your DSL modem? If so, that should do it as the TH55 has a built in WiFi. Good Luck, LMK if I can help w/setup.

[kingshoe]

BTW--no need to buy a seperate internet plan.

[Astrogiblet]

ok thanks, and no i dont have a wireless router, mine is wired. So, if i buy a wireless router that supports b wifi i can automatically use the internet?

[Astrogiblet]

every room in my house has a connection to my wired network, so it would be difficult to convert to a wireless network. but, we have an idea to link the routers together so we can have both working, that would be especially nice when i have LAN parties, here, some can be wireless, some wired. Do i have to configure the router or anything to connect to my PDA? i read internet plans that are 30 bucks a month for wifi internet, what is that if i dont need a seperate plan?

[kingshoe]

The wireless router would use one port on whatever other router you are using to wire everyone else. Also, the wireless router will have some extra hard ports on it, so you could remove one from your existing router, plug in your wireless router, then plug the one you removed into the hard port on the wireless router. As for the WiFi internet plan, I am not sure. I use the above mentioned format and I have no problems. The WiFi must just mean you get a wireless router along with the DSL modem, or the DSL modem is integrated into the Wireless router. Trust me, your current configuration will work, as long as you add a wireless router to it.

The only configuration needed is to set up a SSID (a name for the wireless network) and a WEP Key (security code). All the instructions to do this will be in the box, but it is really simple even without the instructions.

Your PDA will use the same internet connection you have now, it's just another device on the system. For example, I have two hardwired computers, 2 wireless computers and one PDA all using the same connection. LMK how this goes, and good luck!!

[rkub]

The wireless router is probably the easiest route for you to take. Just remember when setting it up to remember your ssid (name of the router) and make sure to make it channel 6 or below (stronger signal but less distance). You should have no problems jumping on the web. The service will be through your DSL, the internet plans you're talking about are most likely like a cell phone account, like through T-Mobile, so you can jump onto WiFi hotspots like at Starbuck's... You won't need that unless you want to surf when you travel (they also have hotspots at a lot of airports).

[Astrogiblet]

alright, thanks so much both of you, im glad to know there is nice people still left in this world.

[rkub]

Also, you should probably buy a Wireless G router that's B compatible...

[Astrogiblet]

oh boy, i know nothing of routers really. What types of routers are there? whats the best? what should i buy? : O is there certain ones that work better for pda's?

[pcbtw2]

Err, there are currently two main types of wireless router standard in use - 802.11b and 11g. The former is the standard that all the intel centrino laptops in the market are based upon. It provides 11 mbps thoroughput and can be bought at around 29 USD (maybe cheaper or otherwise). The 11g standard is a newer standard which provides 4x the speed of the 11b standard so it cost more Moola. U might want to invest in the 802.11g standard as it will be the defacto standard soon. Definately more future proof. Besides, the 11g standard is compatible with the 802.11b devices (such as your TH55).

Btw do check on the router that is "more compatible" with ur TH55. I am using a DLINK DI-614+ (802.11b) router and my TH55 refuses to connect in POWER SAVING Mode !

GD luck

[snoslicer8]

The best routers to use with the WiFi enabled Clies, IMHO, are the Linksys WiFi routers. I've used 2 different routers and setups from Linksys, and both have worked excellently with no setup changes, no problems, and no firmware upgrades required to connect. Hope this helps you out. =)

Cheers,
Brady

[spradlinb]

Here's some basic info on "wireless" that will hopefully help you understand what you can do a bit better, and let you make an informed decision when it comes to buying that new access point.

First, there's a difference between adding an access point to your existing network for internet use and getting "wireless internet" from a local provider in your town. Basically, that "wireless interent" is a service that you sign up for like when you get a new cell phone. You sign the papers, they then bring over a wireless antenna for the outside of your house that then runs inside to a box that converts the signal into internet access. It's essentially the same thing as the way your DSL is set up, but instead of plugging the box they gave you into a phone line you plug it into an antenna that they set up for you.

Now, the other side is when you ALREADY have internet at your house through either DSL or Cable modem and you want to share it throughout your house without the wires. The range on most wireless access points is a couple thousand feet, so it's just for sharing over small areas like a house, not sharing with several houses across several blocks.

Wireless Access points come in two "speeds" right now. One is "802.11b" and the other (newer and faster) is "802.11g." If you have a 802.11g access point, then any 802.11g devices AND/OR 802.11b devices can connect to it. Since your PDA uses 802.11b, ANY access point on the market should work for you. While 802.11g is faster, it's only faster if BOTH the access point AND the device connecting to it are able to use the "g" standard. If one of them is 802.11b (like your PDA), then the speed drops to match. However, 802.11b still serves files at up to 11 megs and a DSL connection usually tops out at 2 megs! So, no bottlenecks on internet speed for you by just going wireless.

Next, there are two types of access points you can get. You can either get a "Router" version or the regular, stand-alone access point. If you get a router-slash-access point then there will be other network jacks on the back that let you physically connect more network devices through the access point itself. Getting the regular access point will only have ONE network port on the back (in most cases) that you plug directly into any free network port on your wired network.

Now that you know all of the above (don't worry, it's a shallow learning curve once you start working with it) then you just need to pick a brand and go shopping. I use a SMC brand wireless router at home. They're pretty easy to set up. HOWEVER, if you want REALLY easy setup, then I'd suggest getting a Belkin wireless router. The Belkin devices have an install CD that you run that will automatically detect the type of internet connection you have and then configure the router to use it! Very simple, and I've set up two of them lately without problems. It will usually ask you for an "SSID" name at the same time that it sets itself up.

Once you have the basic setup going, you can turn your PDA on and it should find your new wireless network and connect for you automatically. My TH55 did at any rate.

Finally, once you have everything working you should read through the wireless access point's manual and enable the encryption that's available. That will help secure the wireless signal so that people driving near your house won't be able to mooch off your internet connection for free. Pretty much all the existing access points have 128 bit encryption built in, you just have to enable it and pick a passcode to use.

Hope that helps! Wireless can be a bit scary the first time you work with it, but it's VERY nice to be able to browse the web and read email from the palm of your hand in any room of your house!

Cheers.

[rkub]

Almost forgot, they also sell USB WiFi dongles that you can plug into a USB port and connect to that computer using the AdHoc mode... Not a very good option but still an option...

[Astrogiblet]

alright awesome! thanks for the replys. I understood everything your saying, but have one final question. Will i be able to connect at starbucks and airports and such that has wifi connection? im hoping my school has wifi too so i can go online during class. haha. My school has so much technology im sure it has wifi!

[snoslicer8]

Yes, you will be able to do this. You only have to use the detection software included on the TJ37 to "sniff out" the WiFi router wherever you are. It will find the networks all by itself.

Cheers,
Brady

[Astrogiblet]

alright, thank you! i think im done with questions for now.

[kingshoe]

Starbucks isn't free. There are places out there with truly free WiFi, so just check around. You will have the capability to connect at Starbucks, or anywhere else for that matter. Good Luck Brandon.

[Astrogiblet]

thanks, ill need all the luck, just to get the damn thing!