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Okay all you computer gurus out there, I need some help! I have one computer plugged into my dsl gateway on the first floor to access the interenet, and would like to add another computer on the 2nd floor. I have some spare parts available and am not sure what/how they should be connected. The dsl gateway is an Actiontec 54 wireless, although it sits next to my desktop which is plugged in with an ethernet cable. Upstairs, I have another desktop, as well as a Belkin wireless G router, and a linksys wireless ethernet bridge. What do I need to connect to the upstairs desktop in order for it to talk wireless to the dsl gateway on the first floor? Any help would be greatly appreciated, as I know only enough to be dangerous and really screw things up.

Thank you!

John    

You need a wireless network card or a adapter for the upstairs computer. D-link makes a good one and so does linksy. This card has to be installed inside the case in an empty pci slot. They also have USB adapter that just plugs into a usb port and sits outside the case. Then you run the software that comes with it and it makes the connection. It wlaks you through the steps. If your computer has a regular network adapter in it you can just run a ethernet cable from it to the gateway downstairs. Though thats a lotta work running the cable up to the 2nd floor. Its just easier using the wireless card. Bestbuy sells these wireless units. They can even send someone to install it ans set them up. But their sevice is not cheap.
                                             Mike

Sounds to me that you lack a wireless card for the upstairs comp.

On mine I have a wireless dsl gateway attached via a ethernet cable. Then two other comps attached via wireless. Each of the other comps have a wireless "card" (belkin).

Pretty much plug and play.

I don't know what a ethernet bridge is but sounds to me like a router... I tried to use a wireless router AND my wireless gateway (2wire). I couldn't make it work. Lost the second (belkin) wireless router and it came right up.

Still you need a wireless card for the comp. Don't try using two wireless routers.

Also the frequency of my wireless, is the same as my wireless phones??? No trouble there but I don't know why not.

Thanks for the info fellas! As far as the wireless card, I have it, but that's my problem--there's too much interference for me to get a good signal from the 2nd floor, and I'm trying to avoid running a cable downstairs. When I used an ethernet bridge in my last house (my neighbor set it up), I never received interference and the signal was going much further through 2 floors without a problem ever. Can I plug the upstairs computer direct into the router, and then use the ethernet bridge to link up wireless to the gateway downstairs?

JohnJohn Elshaw38838.1068055556

No the bridge would try to communicate with the belkin router itself and the gateway downstairs. disconect the belkin router if you have it plugged in upstairs. The actiontec is a gateway and router itself.You do not need the belkin router You only need one. Adding the router upstairs will not help it will only cause more trouble. give this a try and let us know what happened.

Well, I've been playing around for the last couple days and here is the only thing I could get to work with a strong signal. I have my desktop downstairs plugged into the Actiontec gateway direct. Then I also have my Belkin wireless G router plugged into the Actiontec gateway direct. The Belkin router for some reason gives me a great signal everywhere in the house, whereas the Actiontec wouldn't reach past any single floor. I Guess the problem is solved--I just have my router plugged in right next to the gateway.

Thanks for all your help fellas.

Cheers!

John   

I'm glad you solved your problem. If your manual tells you how you should disable the wireless brodcast on the actiontec. And you should look into using the wep encryption on the belkin. This will prevent neighbors from freeloading on your dsl wireless signal. You might not think this is a big deal but it is. I had five people freeloading on my signal hogging my bandwidth. This can also give them access to shared folders on your computer. Your belkin manual will tell you how to set this up. Security is very important on wireless networks.