I have never set up a network before so I need a little help. Im trying to set up a wireless network for my laptop so I dont have to have all my cables stretched across the room anymore. I use DSL, and im putting one laptop to be wireless and an old desktop, no need for wireless on it. What equipment do I need, and how much of a pain is this going to be.

oh and Im am running windows XP on my laptop and win 95 on the desktop. Which Im sure will be a factor

This is quite popular!

If you're going to share a DSL connection, you will need a gateway/router in addition to the access point mentioned in DiGNAN's referenced thread. You can get a wireless router which combines these two things. I personally use the SMC SMC7004AWBR with great results. DLink makes a similar one that is cheaper.

I should add that I got these:

http://www.linksys.com/products/product.asp?grid=22&prid=415

http://www.linksys.com/products/product.asp?grid=22&prid=435

For the second one, make sure you get the version 2 or later. The original version is said to have some problems, but the version 2 has absolutely no problems.

These items were incredibly easy to set up. The instructions actually make it seem a tad bit harder. They make it seem like you have to change settings, but really I don't think I changed a single default setting. It's a step tougher than plug and play, but not much more

So now I'm getting great transfer rates with a wireless connection through a wall, set of stairs, the second floor, and a couple doors! It's great!

Rob, DiGNAN,
Thanks for the help, that definately cleared some stuff up for me.
its goin to be a month before I set one up, because Im moving again. But I will definately take the advice given.

two more questions, have you had any problems out of the linksys products, I have been reading a lot of reviews that have a lot of problems. Also, is netgear equipment any good?

I have a dead Linksys WAP11.

On the non-wireless side, I have a dead Linksys 100Mbit 24 port rackmount hub.

Of the cheap network manufacturers (DLink, Linksys, and Netgear), I would say Netgear is the best. I don't think I've ever run into a dead Netgear product. I tend to put SMC one notch above the cheap guys because they are usually more expensive. But, I usually find the price is justified.

I apologize to be posting so much, but Rob is 131 a good price for the SMC7004AWBR? A alternative that was placed on it was the LanReady CWR-841, I can get it for 99 with free shipping, is it any good?

Really? What kidn of problems? Are they with the WUSB11 product? If so, they might have to do with what I was talking about in my previous post. I've heard lots of bad stories about the pre-version 2 product, but nothing but good with the post-version 2.

My setup never has any problems, and my computer, as you may have seen on this board, has not been the most reliable. Plus, I originally installed it on my old computer, and when I built my new PC, it took me about 20 seconds to reinstall the thing now that I knew how to do it.

I bought my SMC7004AWBR for $150, but I have seen it for $99 after reabtes before.

Do yourself a favor and buy a brand name router. The firmware on these types of things is updated regularly for security and added features. I have an Addtron USB client that is pretty-much worthless because Addtron hosts their drivers and firmware off a free dyndns.org domain. Any company that would do something like that, and then not update the entry is bad news.

The problem was with the BEFW11S4. take a look for yourself.
http://www.pricegrabber.com/rating_getprodrev.php/product_id=405978/id_type=M/ut=82121b6cfedc649b/
they might just be freak happenings, or maybe the older software had something to do with it.

Ah, I may have been confusing the two devices. The version 2 thing might be with that one. It's stange that the experiences were so split like that. But anyway, all I know is that I've had absolutely no trouble with it. The power has gone out several times in my parents' house, and every time the network comes back online without us doing anything at all!

yeah, it did strike me as strange that some loved it and some had many problems. I will keep researching, maybe I can find the root of the problem. Or atleast some better answers