Another computer question - wireless network adapter

[Willow]

I had such great help on a recent post regarding a laptop thought I would try you guys again.

I have a dell dimenson (hand me down from brother I've had it two years no idea how long he had it) currently I use a belkin wireless adapter which is also 2 yrs old. Lately I have had to fiddle with the adapter before the internet will connect. I have a 4 port belkin hub. All the other things ie. printers, mouse, camera seem to connect (light up) immediately but the adapter does not. It doesn't matter which port I plug it into i still have to swap it over, fiddle with it whatever until I get a connection. So 2 questions, given the hub connects with the other things do I assume the problem is with the network adaptor and that I need to replace it, is it possible/worth me getting a network adaptor card instead of the usb if so what would you recommend and are they as easy to fit as the memory cards.

Thanks folks.

 

[marinyork]

Is the hub wireless? It would probably help if you can find out the part currently in the dell dimension. It is quite probably the adaptor is on the blink. If there is a slot in the side of your laptop you can get wireless adaptors and install them fairly easily, they aren't that much and are a vast improvement (in some cases).

 

[Willow]

this one is a desktop. I'm using a wireless BT hub with a belkin network adaptor. The adaptor is plugged into the belkin usb port rather than directly to the computer A because it's easier to access on the port and b because the computer doesn't have many usb holes.

 

[marinyork]

Right, so you have a BT home hub and the network adaptor is plugged into it and it communicates to a LAN card in the desktop? If so the answer is yes you can replace it, however I might be more suspicious of the card in the PC. They don't cost very much to replace either.

 

[Crackle]

It still could be the hub in the form of the power supply. Have you tried it direct in the laptop?

 

[Willow]

Right, so you have a BT home hub and the network adaptor is plugged into it and it communicates to a LAN card in the desktop? If so the answer is yes you can replace it, however I might be more suspicious of the card in the PC. They don't cost very much to replace either.

the wireless network adaptor is plugged into the 4 hub usb port which is plugged (usb) into the computer and picks up the network from the BT hub wirelessly.

 

[fossyant]

Your dimension is a desktop ? - how near the router ? - as you might be better off just connecting it via a network CAT5 cable (if Home hubs have network connectors), or to save sockets, buy a PCI wireless card - cheap, you'll have to fit it inside, but will work better.....or just buy another adapter.

There is a chance it's worn, connections if you are wiggling it. Is the hub powered - cos I's suggest having it fitted to a proper port on the PC anyway, rather than a port.

 

[Willow]

Your dimension is a desktop ? - how near the router ? - as you might be better off just connecting it via a network CAT5 cable (if Home hubs have network connectors), or to save sockets, buy a PCI wireless card - cheap, you'll have to fit it inside, but will work better.....or just buy another adapter.

There is a chance it's worn, connections if you are wiggling it. Is the hub powered - cos I's suggest having it fitted to a proper port on the PC anyway, rather than a port.

Close enough to the router and never been a problem before. Is the wireless card easy enough to fit, I avoided it last time but think I'm a bit better at putting things inside the machine now and wonder whether it's worth a go

 

[marinyork]

Erm, I wouldn't use USB, what sort of speed do you get out of it? Infact you might be better of using the phone sockets like you can on the hub. The wireless LAN card is easy to fit and a should give no problems.

 

[Willow]

Erm, I wouldn't use USB, what sort of speed do you get out of it? Infact you might be better of using the phone sockets like you can on the hub. The wireless LAN card is easy to fit and a should give no problems.

Cost too much to have phone socket put in room where computer is. Ok so what wireless lan card should I get and will it come with instructions on how to fit?

 

[marinyork]

Well you don't have to get wireless. The hub supports ethernet too.

Any cheap wireless card. The hub does not support n, only b and g. So a cheap g card.

Fair enough on the socket. It's just that the hub is only USB 1.1.

 

[fossyant]

The Dimension should have a built in network adapter - you'll see a symbol - some squares linked by lines. If it's that close, run a cable between the hub and the box, under the carpet....

My main PC is just 3 feet from our 'hub' so that was easy, the old PC in the conservatory was wired by me a while ago, but the cable runs about 10m, and just our freebee laptop connects via wireless. If poss try and go wired, it's also more secure, and reliable - and cheap as chips - go to a local PC shop, not PC world...cables are just a couple of pounds, rather than in the £10's.....

 

[marinyork]

The hub is 10/100 so whatever is in there (if indeed there is anything in there) should work fine.

 

[Willow]

Just to say thank you folks for all the advice. I have today succesfully installed a Belkin G network adapter and as you can see all is working well. Also increased the memory. It's all so simple with some good technical advisors.