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Rank: HSN Forum Member
Joined: 10/3/2009
Posts: 15
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Wow! I bought two gateways (yesterday's special) one for our handicapped son....hopefully I will have good luck. Can someone tell me what I need to hook up in same house wireless. Right now we have dial up w/Earthlink. I did buy the Belkin N Wireless Router (HSN) do I need the Belkin Patch 25 foot cable?????? Did anyone hook this up by themselves or do you need a "computer person" to do it. Any help for the forum would be appreciated.
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Rank: HSN Forum Member
Joined: 8/1/2009
Posts: 4
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You will need a highspeed internet connection of some sort with a modem. The modem will connect to the router and the router will distribute the wireless signal throughout your home.
If Earthlink can provide DSL highspeed to you, that would probably be the easiest way for you. Their rates start at about $12.95/month. They can probably offer you a compatible modem.
Once Earthlink (or whoever you choose) provides you with the highspeed connection, you can complete the installation yourself if you have patience and follow the instructions in order. You may find it best to have the provider complete the installation for you if you feel uncomfortable doing installations.
Please post back again and share your experiences. Good luck.
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Rank: HSN Forum Member
Joined: 10/3/2009
Posts: 15
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Thanks jeep4meg - I did note on the Gateway Lap that Earthlink was pre-installed software already. This is what finally convinced me to buy since my son knows how to use (we have Earthlink dial up now).
From your note I understand that I need highspeed (DSL?), I did buy the Belkin Router (one since we have a ranch style home).
My question is: I know the router is plugged into the phone jack (is one router enough?) AND you stated that the modem (from Earthlink) will (I think) "plug?" into the router do I need any type of cable to do anything????? Does it matter where the phone jack is that the router is plugged into?
We owned a hardware (large), factory (small) so I kinda know something about stuff, but our son has extreme anxiety and I want to make sure I have everything I need before the 10/23 delivery date. He is excited....and looking forward to junking his old desktop.
Thanks so very much for helping me, I note too many views on this already so I know not only are you help us, but your helping all! Thanks again!
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Rank: HSN Forum Member
Joined: 6/12/2008
Posts: 376
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Personally, I would have a professional do the wireless hook up. I know many people do it themselves, but many don't pay attention to having a secure network. I am not savvy enough to set up a secure network by myself. You would not want to have an unsecured wireless network, or anyone nearby can use your network, and who knows what they may be downloading, using your network connection. JMO.
Everyone has the will to win but only a few have the will to prepare
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Rank: HSN Forum Member
Joined: 8/1/2009
Posts: 4
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PEACEBWU: If you have DSL, a line from the phone jack plugs into the modem, and a networking cable (CAT 5e...about $6 from your local electronics store) will connect the modem to the router. Do a search on "setting up a wireless network" and read some of the links for further explanation of this.
One router is all you will need. The router will provide wireless and wired connections, or both. It will supply a wireless signal to multiple computers in your home or you can also use networking cable to connect a desktop computer network adapter (probably already in your desktop) to the router...desktop computers usually are not equipped to receive a wireless connection.
Hope this makes sense.
Also the previous poster is absolutely correct. You need to make certain that your network is secure once it is set up. The security is accomplished through settings in the router. As I said before, if you are not comfortable doing installations yourself, please seek some help.
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Rank: HSN Forum Member
Joined: 7/25/2009
Posts: 43
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It's realy easy to set up a wireless network using the belkin router. First you need to get high DSL Internet with a modem. 2nd you need o coonect yellow cable that came with ur router to the modem.3rd insert the disk the came with router then follow the on screen intruction after u have your wireless network going then go it will ask you if you want security witch is to block other user to from entering your wireless network.after your done you have wireless high Internet, this process takes 5 to 10 minutes max!enjoy your new gateway. I bought the same gateway laptop as a today special about 2 months ago but with windows vista and free upgrade for win 7 and had no promblems what so ever.
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Rank: HSN Forum Member
Joined: 6/2/2008
Posts: 486
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A quick comment about securing your network. IMO unless you are located where people live very close, within 100 or so feet of your setup, they cannot use your connection. It is hard sometimes to get your own computers in one house with a strong connection. If you want to test it, carry your wireless laptop into your yard and check it out. Setting up a wep key can often cause many hassels when forgetting it or adding another computer to your network. If you do use a wep key, I have used the method of writing it down on a piece of tape and tapeing it to the back of the router. Your system will not have the power a public system does, like a hotel or library. These comments are coming from someone who has set up their own systems numerous times, had several new computers, and lots of problems.
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Rank: HSN Forum Member
Joined: 7/2/2009
Posts: -25
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Hi Peace, do you have DSL? DSL is different than dial up. I started many years ago with dial up and then changed to DSL through my phone company, Verizon. I signed up for their service and they sent me a modem and all the instructions to set up my computer. I've been very happy with the DSL, much much faster than dialup. You can also get an internet connection through a cable company. Once you have your DSL up and running, you connect a router and set up your wireless network. You do need a secure network with a wep key. Then you have to program each computer to connect to the network. If you go step by step it can be done. Honestly, if I had the resources to hire someone to do all of it for me, I would have. Good luck!
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Rank: HSN Forum Member
Joined: 7/29/2008
Posts: 303
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Peace, as everyone has said, wireless will NOT work on dial-up. You must have a cable, DSL, or satellite internet service.
If you choose DSL, you might not even need the belkin router, since most of the DSL modems now come with a built-in router. If you order DSL, ask the compay for a combo modem, and it will be easier for you to set up.
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Rank: HSN Forum Member
Joined: 7/25/2009
Posts: 43
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Ok when you get the modem from ur Internet provider or if u alrdy have a mode
just leave how it's connected. When you get your router it will come with a yellow cable. Now from your modem the only thing to disconnect is the Ethernet cable. The yellow cable that came with ur router you hook it up to the modem to the router. The router comes with step by step intructions but you need to get DSL Internet and must have a modem. The modem it's not the phone line box thing. You can only get a modem from ur Internet provider. I reccomend to change Internet provider earthlink is not a good provider, you should get AT&T or verizon or comcast/roadrunner those are the fastest and best internet provider
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Rank: HSN Forum Member
Joined: 7/29/2008
Posts: 303
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mechanical wrote:Ok when you get the modem from ur Internet provider or if u alrdy have a mode
just leave how it's connected. When you get your router it will come with a yellow cable. Now from your modem the only thing to disconnect is the Ethernet cable. The yellow cable that came with ur router you hook it up to the modem to the router. The router comes with step by step intructions but you need to get DSL Internet and must have a modem. The modem it's not the phone line box thing. You can only get a modem from ur Internet provider. I reccomend to change Internet provider earthlink is not a good provider, you should get AT&T or verizon or comcast/roadrunner those are the fastest and best internet provider If you get AT&T's DSL, the router is built into their modem, so you won't need the Belkin that you ordered. I don't know about other providers. Everyone runs a special for first time subscribers, so check out everywhere.
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Rank: HSN Forum Member
Joined: 7/25/2009
Posts: 43
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Potatomom wrote:mechanical wrote:Ok when you get the modem from ur Internet provider or if u alrdy have a mode
just leave how it's connected. When you get your router it will come with a yellow cable. Now from your modem the only thing to disconnect is the Ethernet cable. The yellow cable that came with ur router you hook it up to the modem to the router. The router comes with step by step intructions but you need to get DSL Internet and must have a modem. The modem it's not the phone line box thing. You can only get a modem from ur Internet provider. I reccomend to change Internet provider earthlink is not a good provider, you should get AT&T or verizon or comcast/roadrunner those are the fastest and best internet provider If you get AT&T's DSL, the router is built into their modem, so you won't need the Belkin that you ordered. I don't know about other providers. Everyone runs a special for first time subscribers, so check out everywhere. yes Potatomom your right, i forgot. but im not sure the at&t modem/router has a long range or fast internet running wireless not sure but i doubt it.
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Rank: HSN Forum Member
Joined: 10/3/2009
Posts: 15
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Thanks to everyone! My saga continues: I know these are dumb questions...but here goes: This is where I am.....
Right now I have a fairly new desktop (14 months) that is NOT WIRELESS. Plus I will be getting the two today's spec. wireless Gateway laptops 10/22.
What plugs into what.....from what I'm gathering I need an "adapter" to plug into the desktop (to make it wireless?).
The router is plugged into an electric outlet plug?
Where does the modem plug into......? Does it plug into the router if so where does the other end plug into?
Laptops....do they just recognize the wireless router (when plugged in)?
I guess I'm confused on the modem because of the desktop not being wireless. Is the modem plugged into the desktop and one end in the router? If so do the laptops still recognize the router and become wireless?
I did call AT&T I believe I'm going to switch over to them. Maybe I didn't get it straight when AT&T told me (just reviewing their notes), but they said that once the adapter is "plugged"? into the desktop my printer that is plugged into the desktop also becomes wireless (is this so?)
Another question. We have many phones hardlines and the Vtech 5 plus just plugged into electric plugs. DO I NEED FILTERS FOR ALL PHONES WHEN I GO WIRELESS?
Again sorry for all the dumb stuff.....but would appreciate your comments!
Thanks to all! I know I'm beating this one to death but I live in Port Huron (small city Mi. and not much professional help out here)! again thanks for the help!
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Rank: HSN Forum Member
Joined: 7/25/2009
Posts: 43
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PEACEBWU wrote:Thanks to everyone! My saga continues: I know these are dumb questions...but here goes: This is where I am.....
Right now I have a fairly new desktop (14 months) that is NOT WIRELESS. Plus I will be getting the two today's spec. wireless Gateway laptops 10/22.
What plugs into what.....from what I'm gathering I need an "adapter" to plug into the desktop (to make it wireless?).
The router is plugged into an electric outlet plug?
Where does the modem plug into......? Does it plug into the router if so where does the other end plug into?
Laptops....do they just recognize the wireless router (when plugged in)?
I guess I'm confused on the modem because of the desktop not being wireless. Is the modem plugged into the desktop and one end in the router? If so do the laptops still recognize the router and become wireless?
I did call AT&T I believe I'm going to switch over to them. Maybe I didn't get it straight when AT&T told me (just reviewing their notes), but they said that once the adapter is "plugged"? into the desktop my printer that is plugged into the desktop also becomes wireless (is this so?)
Another question. We have many phones hardlines and the Vtech 5 plus just plugged into electric plugs. DO I NEED FILTERS FOR ALL PHONES WHEN I GO WIRELESS?
Again sorry for all the dumb stuff.....but would appreciate your comments!
Thanks to all! I know I'm beating this one to death but I live in Port Huron (small city Mi. and not much professional help out here)! again thanks for the help! okay, your desktop is not wireless you do not need an adapter it is not necessary to buy one you can just connect ethernet to your desktop, but if you want your desktop to get wireless internet i recommend you to get the Wireless N+ USB Adapter from Belkin it is not sold on HSN but you can go to a local Best Buy or other eletronic store to buy it. Now the internet modem has a telephone, power, ethernet port. The router has to be plug into a electric outlet, when you get your router it will come with a yellow cable. On your modem you will have a ethernet cable connected to your modem to your computer, disconnect the ethernet cable from the modem and your computer then conenct the yellow cable that comes with your router to the ethernet port in your modem and the yellow port in your router. so far you will have 2 cabled pluged in your router the ethernet and the power, and on the modem just one cable is needed and thats the yellow cable. Now when you finish with plug insert the CD that comes with your router and follow the on screen intruction, it allows you to creaet a name for your network for example lets say you named your network "Family Internet". after that step of creating your network the cd will do the rest by it self, it will send the information from the modem to the router and instal the router by itself and now you have a wireless network all around your home. When you recieve your laptop it will ask you if you want to join a wirless network just click "yes" or "connect to a wireless network" then all the wireless network near your home will come out and choose the one that you created for example your network name is "Family Internet", choose "Famly Internet" then if you put security on your net work it will as you to put in a password that you created or if you dont have security it will just connect you to the internet. For your desktop if you decided to leave it how it is, just connect the ethernet cable that CAME WITH YOUR MODEM( the one you have to unplug from ur modem and computer), so grab that ethernet cable and plug on the back of the router(there will be 4 grey ports) plug it in on any of those 4 grey ports after you pluged it in the plug it the other end to your desktop and your set.but if you do purchase that adapter it wil be the same as the desktop it will regonize all other wireless network around your home but just choose YOUR network THAT YOU CREATED. The Router comes with step by step intructions. About the printer and desktop being wireless i have no idea never heard of it. At&t 2WIRE modem has a build in router, if you have purchase the BElkin Router dont get At&t, get another internet provider that does have a built in router in the modem i think Verizon does not have a built in router in their modem.
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Rank: HSN Forum Member
Joined: 7/29/2008
Posts: 303
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Go with AT&T and get the 2-wire router/modem. Send the Belkin back to HSN.
If your router/modem is in the same room as the desktop, get an ethernet cable and plug it into the router/modem. You do NOT need to purchase a wireless adapter for the desktop if you do this. There are four plugs on the router/modem for you to plug in devices via ethernet cable.
I don't know what type of printer you have, but you might be able to plug in your printer directly to the router via ethernet cable. The easiest thing to do is to use your current desktop as a "Printer Server". This means that you keep the printer connected to the desktop. When the wireless network is set up, you install the driver for the printer on each laptop and in the printer setup, you select "network printer". If you do it this way, in order to print from your laptop, you must have the desktop computer on.
I have been with AT&T for several years, and I recommend them because their tech support is good and also very patient. They will guide you step by step in setting up your network. Calling their tech support has always had a good outcome for me.
A good option for you might be to get a neighborhood high school or college student to come and do the setup for you. Most will work for pizza.
Good luck, and come back with any questions you might have.
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Rank: HSN Forum Member
Joined: 7/25/2009
Posts: 43
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the At&t modem/router does not have long wireless internet range, the Belkin N router wireless internet range is up to 1-400 feet.
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Rank: HSN Forum Member
Joined: 7/29/2008
Posts: 303
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I got a very good range with the 2-wire. It worked very well throughout the house, front and back yards. I'm suggesting this all in one because it would be easier for Peace to set up herself, and it works great.
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Rank: HSN Forum Member
Joined: 10/3/2009
Posts: 15
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Unbelieveable amount of info...thank you! Sat. when advertising this Gateway Laptop they said it was preinstalled w/Earthlink. I ran the info on their site and it is listed there too. This is one of the reasons I bought for my son (handicapped mentally/physically) has a desktop w/Earthlink. I felt it would be a familiar one for him to use. I chatted on line w/Earthlink last nite and "NO" THEY DO NOT HAVE WIRELESS! They have the dial up (which we now have on our desktops) and DSL....no wireless. When chatting w/Earthlink he also mentioned that I would need filters on each of my phone jacks for wireless????
Thought I would mention all of this since everyone has been so helpful and thousands of customers bought the special the day I did.
Any opinions on this? I haven't even got the laptops yet and I'm dreading all of this already.....
Thanks so much to all for giving me the best advice. Hopefully, HSN will see all of your posting and stop the idle chit chat and really tell the customers what is needed to use the computers, etc. When this is all said and done I'll post a forum and let you know step by step what occurred so the next group of "buyers" will be aware!
Thanks again!
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Rank: HSN Forum Member
Joined: 7/29/2008
Posts: 303
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Every service has live online chat. I suggested AT and T becaise their tech support is very good. When you buy the modem/router from ATT, several of those phone line filters are included. They are running a promo now where you get a rebate for the entire cost of your equipment for new customers.
As for being familiar with the service, unlike dialup, a DSL connection is always on, no dialing in, no passwords, etc. Whatever you set to your home page is what you will get when you open your browser. When I switched from Time Warner to ATT, there was no learning curve.
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Rank: HSN Forum Member
Joined: 10/3/2009
Posts: 15
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Where I stand now:
Had phone plug put in by Electrician ($110) straight from the outside phone box. Signed up w/AT&T will send back HSN router since AT&T has combination modem/router equipment, plus (important) 6 phone filters for each phone jack in our home. With the modem and router combined the rep said that it will be an easier hookup.
They are giving me $200 M.Charge gift cards I must pay for equipment of approx. $80 so basically I benefit $120. My monthly bill will go up around $5.00 (I already have AT&T home phone service). Also I will rec. $19.95 off my bill for 3 months.
They have live chat and phone support. If I stayed w/Eartlink my charge would be approx. $21.95/monthly plus $7.95 networking (total $30) but free equipment. The only reason I stating the charges is it took me awhile to get the actual figures for reps want to sell you different packages, it's mindboggeling! Hope this helps someone else!
What I will (should) end up w/is one desktop DSL (which will allow me to use my printer that is not wireless) and have wireless on the two laps tops.
I'll keep you posted on the next step for I believe there are many out there that are struggling w/this as I am. Thanks to all for your wonderful suggestions/comments for you are helping us all!
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