What hardware do i need?

[liverguts99]

Hi there
I have a Desktop and a Laptop both running Win XP and both at 2.4ghz
My desktop connects to internet thru a cable modem.
What i wanna do is get something that allows me go connect desktop by cable and laptop by wireless, i figure i need a wireless router, probably netgear or something.....
My cable modem is a Motorola SB5100 (dunno if that helps, i'm just scared if i get the router, that it wont work)

another thing is say for example i am using the cable on desktop, if i unplug it from the desktop and connect it to laptop the connection wont work, i have to unplug the whole cable modem from power for a minute and wait then switch back on and wait till all lites are on, then connect the cable to laptop. i have to do same thing when connecting back to the desktop, which i find rather strange?!?!?!

please help
Thanks!!

[z1p]

You're right, your best choice would be a wireless router. Any brand should work. As far as the netgear, I picked up the MR814v2 (802.11b) and have had nothing but problems getting it to work.

If you don't have a wireless card yet, I'd go with the same brand as you get for the router.

As to why you have to reset the router, there isn't physical reason you should have to do that. Does your ISP restrict you to the number of IP that you can use? Maybe by unplugging 1 PC and plugging in another it thinks you are trying to run 2 PCs at the same time. If that is the case, a router with NAt/ip hiding takes care of it.

[Ned Seagoon]

Hi Liverguts

I suspect that when you unplug from your desktop and plug into your laptop that you are not getting a valid IP address for the laptop and it is still on the autoconfig IP. By turning the cable modem off you are forcing it to reinitialise on turn on, and then allocate an IP for the mac address that it finds.

Wireless is OK but a small router connected to your Cable modem with the desktop and laptop plugged into it would be a better option. Because it would be more reliable, and cost less. BF