Adding a Wireless Router

David Bradley asked us:

What’s the cheapest, easiest and quickest way to add wireless access to an ADSL broadband connection. I want to share internet access between a desktop and a laptop in the same building, but at minimal cost and effort.

db

The quickest and cheapest way to share internet access between a desktop and a laptop would be to buy yourself a LAN cable and connect your two computers together. You’ll then need to go into your computer that’s connected to the ADSL modem and share its internet connection.

To share an internet connection in Windows XP just follow these steps:

1. Click “Start”
2. Click “Control Panel”
3. Click “Network and Internet Connections”
4. Click “Network Connections”
5. Right-Click “Local Area Connection”
6. Click on the “Advanced” tab
7. Check the box that says “Allow other network users to connect through this computer’s Internet connection

After you do these steps your laptop should be able to surf the internet. This will only work however, while your laptop is plugged into your desktop through the LAN cable. If you wish to move around the building you’re going to need to buy a Wireless router.

We’ve reviewed a number of routers like D-Link WBR-1310, Linksys WRT150N, or the Apple Airport Express.

If you want to access the internet from your laptop and you won’t be in the same room as the ADSL modem or your desktop, than this is really the only way to go. You can find a decent router for under $50, so its not too expensive.

If you have any further questions feel free to head on over to our “Ask Us” section and ask us anything.