Set up or fix a wireless network

Connecting to the internet and other computers without wires has all kinds of attractions, especially for notebook computer owners.

After all, who would turn down the opportunity to browse the internet in the garden during the summer rather than being stuck indoors?

But things often turn out a bit differently when they get to the real world. From installation guides that are impossible to decipher, signals that disappear, to security alerts, wireless computing is not quite as easy as it seems.

This is where Computeractive can help. Whether you’re wrestling with an existing wireless network or trying to get one going for the first time, we have the information you need to understand and solve these problems.

Join us as we show you what you need to know to become a wireless handyman. We’ll be covering the more detailed jargon involved with wireless networking soon – this article is all about practical advice.

Before we begin
It’s worth mentioning one of the big stumbling blocks first – the different wireless standards. In the ‘Wireless types’ section, we talk about the varieties of wireless standards available. We’ll go into more detail on what the types mean in the next issue, too.

Put briefly, you have the choice of wireless A, B, G or N. The most commonly used format at the moment is G, because it offers a good balance between network range and transfer speed. Importantly, it is also compatible with the older B standard so it is possible to use it with older wireless bits and pieces.

To avoid problems, it is a good idea to ensure that all of your wireless equipment, such as the wireless adapters in your PC, router and access point, comply to the same standard, and ideally are made by the same manufacturer.

While a Wireless G router from one manufacturer should work with a Wireless G adapter from another, this is not always the case. You may find that there are updates for your hardware to increase the likelihood of compatibility, but by sticking with a single manufacturer you can be sure that everything will work together as expected.