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camdids

1 Rookie

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95 Posts

9568

February 11th, 2005 12:00

Wireless PC Card or USB Adapter

I'm looking to set up two computers ( D8400 and D4100) ,on a Broadband Network, running XP. Both Computers have Standard Ethernet cards that came with the computers.
I see some poeple using USB adapters on the second computer but have also read some articles saying this can be slower. Can anyone help me make my mind up.I'm having a bout of indecision here.
Thanks
 

jmwills

12K Posts

February 11th, 2005 13:00

I second Steve's post.  Always go with the PCI card versus USB.

volcano11

28K Posts

February 11th, 2005 13:00

First note that both the 8400 and 4100 are desktop computers and neither have a PC card slot, so PC cards are not an option.  I assume you are getting a wireless router to share the internet connection.   The computer located closest to the modem and router should be connected to the router by a wired ethernet connection.  This is important because it gives you the ability to connect to the modem to configure the wireless connection and to troubleshoot the wireless connection should that be necessary.  For the other computer to connect wirelessly, you will need a wireless network adapter.  A PCI wireless network adapter is preferrable because they generally cause fewer problems than USB wireless adapters.  Note that for connecting to the internet, both USB and PCI wireless adapters will function at the same speed because the broadband internet connection will always be slower than either the USB or PCI wireless adapters.  For file sharing between the computers, a USB 1.1 wireless adapter will limit the speed of local network traffic.  USB 2.0 and PCI wireless adapters can both operate at 100 Mbps for local network traffic.
 
Steve

camdids

1 Rookie

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95 Posts

February 11th, 2005 14:00

Thankyou Steve.

I have to say that I've been reading several Magazine articles, But have not read such a simple and clear instruction of how to set this thing up as yours.

Thankyou

chillykim

17 Posts

February 25th, 2005 21:00

Hey all-

I, too, am trying to decide if I should go with an USB wireless adapter or install the PC card in my Dell Dimension 3000. My question- how difficult is it to self-install the card? I've read about having a ground so that I don't damage the internals while doing anything inside the tower. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, chillykim

 

Dell Dimension 3000

Intel Cleron D Processor 320 2.40GHz and 256K cache

256MB DDR SDRAM at 400MHz

40GB Ultra ATA/100 Hard Drive

WinXP Home

Intel Pro 100M Integrated PCI NIC Card

56K PCI data Fax Modem

16X DVD ROM and 48X CDRW

 

 

_Paladin

795 Posts

February 25th, 2005 22:00

chillykim,

It's not difficult, provided you are willing to open the case and stick your hands inside.  The grounding part has to do with static electricity, which can possibly damage the internal components of a PC.  Open the case and before you stick your hands inside, touch the metal frame of the computer.  This will discharge any static electricity in your body into the frame of the PC.  That's all you have to do.

For your Dimension 3000, here is a link to the service manual.  Read the sections on Removing the Computer Cover and Removing and Installing Parts.  This is the section in Removing and Installing Parts you are most interested in. 

Here is a tutorial about how to add a PCI card to a PC.  The anti-static wrist band is not required, just touch the metal frame of the PC before you touch anything inside the PC.

It's not difficult.  Go for it!

Message Edited by _Paladin on 02-25-2005 06:27 PM

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