Newbie Wireless Networking Question?

I'm a newbie to networking but not to computers in general. I just bought a laptop w/ Win Vista that is wireless capable. I also own an older computer with Win ME (yes, it's a dinosaur). I have a cable modem currently hooked to that computer and I just bought a Netgear wireless router. My thought was that I'd keep the old computer hard wired to the modem and use the wireless for my new laptop. But will that work? Clearly I'll have to unhook the cable modem and run it through the router. Will I be able to also hook the PC to the router to continue having an internet connection on it? Will I wind up needing any special networking cards for the PC? It's just all new to me and I'd appreciate anyone who can help me think this through. Thanks!

Newbie Wireless Networking Question?
if the wireless router also has LAN connections this will be easy. If not, take it back and get one that comes with it rather than getting a wireless card for the old WinME system.





Unplug the network cable from the cable modem and plug that into port 1,2,3,4 of the router. Next, plug the network cable that came with the wireless router into the WAN of the router and into the cable modem. WinME is now connected. You will now want to log into the router to protect your wireless network. steps can be found at this website
Reply:I think you are fine. The router usually has at least 4 ports for your wired connections.


You may have a problem networking Vista and ME to each other but not browsing the web from each.
Reply:No, with your router as you planned, everything will work as you stated. The wireless setup can be done by either the CD came with your router or the network setup software came with Vista.
Reply:Does your new router have ether net ports on back? If so u can still have your desktop pc wired and new laptop wireless.what u are trying to do is add a new gateway(router) to your network. When u plug the wire into the router from ur pc make sure that you have your network settings to auto detect. the router will give your desktop pc a new private ip address.Your cable/dsl modem will have your isp's ip address. Hope this was helpful to you.
Reply:Yup not a problem. you can have several wireless, and wired computers all at once. Be sure to follow the instructions to configure your router from the wired computer. it will ask you to enter an IP address like 192.168.0.1 or something very similar to that, and that will bring up the routers internal security page. if you dont put it on an encrypted connection anyone can connect to your network and intercept your signals!!! good luck
Reply:The router should come with some prtty comprehensive instructions, so follow those if possible. Yes, it will work. Just hook the PC to the router and it'll all be good. Unless the PC is REALLY old, you shouldn't need networking cards or anything. You'll get it, it's quite simple really. If you need very specific help, please ask.
Reply:Yes you can have the ME machine hard wired to the router, (as long as their are ports available) and your Vista machine should locate the Wireless hub (as long as the wireless find is turned on). You won't need any networking cards for the ME machine, unless you wanted to make that machine wireless too, and add a Wireless card/antenna.