Setting up a wireless network (HELP!)

[Nefrit]

OK this is my situation:

This coming Friday I will be getting Telewest broadband installed in my house, along with my PC there are 3 other PC's and 1 Laptop, making a total of 5 all using Windows. We are hoping to set up a wired/wireless network after the broadband arrives so we can all use the internet at the same time (the broadband connection by the way is 750). I am told that the Telewest modem is ethernet compatible which apparently is a good thing and means I dont have to buy a router + a new modem. So from what Ive gathered on my own it would seem what I need is a DSL Wireless Router along with wireless cards for each PC that wants to go wireless (is this correct?). The situation as it stands at the minute is that 2 PC's will be wired and 3 will be wireless and the only thing we really want the network for is so we can all access the internet at the same time- exchanging files and playing network games is not important.

Looking online I've found these 2 routers which would seem to suit my needs:

the Netgear MR814 802.11b ?48.99 from simply computers
and the Netgear WGR614 802.11g ?58.99 from BT

My questions then are,

1. Are these routers suitable for setting up a network between 4 PC's and a Laptop?

2. Are either of them better for what I will be using it?

3. Is a Network difficult to set up with no experience of such things?

and lastly,

4. How do I go about checking if my PC came with a network card? Its a Dimension 4700 from Dell but it doesn't seem to mention whether it has it or not in their product specs.

Any help would be greatl;y appreciated as Im getting a bit stressed from all the conflicting information store people are giving out!
_______________ __
Whatever you are, be a good one. Abrahan Lincoln

[sicarie]

So your first question references two different wireless routers, and the 802.11 in their models shows they are wireless, and the following letter shows the classification and speed of the routers - b and g. I would recommend getting the 802.11g router - the second one (Netgear WGR614 802.11g). B is not compatible with A or G, however G is compatible with A (though I don't believe with B). So if you get the Netgear WGR614 802.11g you will be able to use a or g in your laptop/desktops. I also looked at the specs for the Netgear WGR614 802.11g, and it is a 4 port switch as well, so you will be able to use an RJ45 Ethernet cable to connect your PCs.

I would recommend using the above link, or going to somewhere that sells computer equipment and purchasing a short Ethernet cable and actually plugging it in to the jack, as the RJ45 Ethernet looks remarkably similar to the cables used by a modem , which is not compatible. (So you can plan where you are putting your wireless router, and the nearest computer, and purchase a cable for that computer.)

As a network is merely the connection between several computers, no, a network is not difficult to set up at all. This does, however, vary between version of Windows operating system. Vista does not play nicely with XP/NT/98/95, etc... If you're using XP on all of them, that should be very easy. What versions are you running?

Short version : 1, yes, 2 the WGR614 802.11g, 3 yes, 4 check the links.

And of course, if you have any questions, feel free to post them up here.

PS - You should also look into wireless security and use WPA if you can.