Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with computer and Wireless

More technology plz!

sarahj — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 15:44:57 -0800

How can I help my parents hook up their computer to their TV? My parents have a nice wall-mounted big screen Pioneer lcd tv and my dad's dream is to have their Dell desktop system in the same room wirelessly networked to it, for music-playing, presumably netflix and online video viewing, and general happiness. I've googled this in as many different verb-noun combinations I can come up with and I'm still not sure what I'm looking for. Is this possible?

My dad mentioned something called RocketFish, and I saw some BluRay players that potentially had wireless networking capabilities but I wasn't sure if that capability was usually used for some other purpose. I'd like to help him on this for a Christmas gift - what would I need to buy and do in order to do this?

Thanks so much! I can definitely provide more information if it's needed.

Keyboard for my HTPC setup?

petah — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 19:17:11 -0800

Recommendations for a good HTPC (home theater PC) keyboard? I've got an old laptop I've hooked up to my television, and I'd like to be able to browse the web and operate my computer from the couch.

I was wondering if there were any dedicated keyboard/mouse combos for this task?

Need help setting up AirPort on my Mac

Joseppi — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 18:52:14 -0800

I'm trying to set up an AirPort on my Mac and I'm having some issues. It's asking for OS X 10.4 and I'm running 10.5 but it still doesn't work. Any clue as to why this is happening? I'm trying to set up an AirPort on my Mac and I'm having some issues. When I try and install the software I get a message that says, "You cannot install AirPort on this volume. The version of Mac OS X on this volume is not supported." It's asking for volume 10.4 and I'm on 10.5. This is beyond frustrating as this is supposed to be such a simple process. Does anyone know what my issue might be?

Wireless and dLans and making them talk to each other

jonathanbell — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 03:14:51 -0800

Please help my computers talk to each other once again. Windows networking question within I'm trying to set up a home network. Right now I have two laptops, one Vista, one XP, accessing the internet via a Netgear DGN2000 router. So far, so good (apart from occasional baffling connection drop-outs, but that's not the question here).

However, located a short distance away in an outbuilding is an XP desktop. It's too far to run cable to, and the wireless signal no longer reaches it since I moved the router further away. So I've bought a Devolo dLan set up with two plugs. Before I attempt to install this, I wonder if I'm actually going to be able to achieve what I want to do...

The question: if the external XP desktop is accessing the internet via the Devolos plugged in to the router, can I still access this desktop machine from the laptops via wireless? Any help much appreciated, thank you.

Wireless possible, or no?

BlahLaLa — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 20:37:12 -0800

Did the Apple salesperson do me wrong? I bought an AirPort Express to go wireless with my Mac Mini but now I think I got screwed. Okay, it's embarrassing to admit this on Metafilter, where almost everyone seems to be very computer savvy, but I DON'T KNOW ABOUT COMPUTERS. I use 'em, but I don't know how they work.

I have an older Mac Mini. I've had it for two years, but it was used by someone else previously and I don't know precisely how old it is. I want to set up a wireless network in my home, and I called the Apple Store to see if that would be possible with my model. The phone rep talked me through looking at my computer. I have a new-enough OS. I do not have an AirPort card. I do have firewire. She said I can connect through firewire.

But the AirPort Express arrived, and when I looked at the documentation, it says I must have the AirPort card installed.

So...is that true about this alleged firewire? Can I connect wirelessly, or am I out of luck? If not, can I keep my Mac Mini wired to the modem, and hook up the AirPort Express so my husband can use his laptop elsewhere in the house?

If I need to return this thing: Have you had experience with the Apple Store? Are they going to easily accept the explanation that I only bought this because the salesperson said it would work with my computer?

Please speak to me as if I am your mentally challenged great aunt. I really need it step by step, spelled out.

What is a firewall rule group?

jackypaper — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 12:27:55 -0800

What is a "firewall rule group"? When recently trying to install an MP3 player on my laptop, I was met with an error message that read "Operation Create Wireless Firewall Rule Group has failed," followed by Microsoft error code 0X80070057. I've searched around but haven't found much info on "rule groups." What is a firewall rule group, and is my wireless router somehow interrupting my hardware installation? Thanks!

Wireless network connection problem

Kat Allison — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 15:15:11 -0800

ARGH. Wireless connectivity problem. Laptop tells me I am connected with excellent signal strength, and yet I'm not able to load any webpages. So, I am in the process of moving. I got internet service connected at the new place, and my laptop (running Windows XP) connects to the internet with no problem when hooked up via Ethernet. So then I unhooked the wireless modem from my old place (where it had been working just fine with my laptop), and hooked it up at the new place.

My wireless network shows up in the list of available networks on my laptop; when I try to connect to it, I get the message that it is connected and signal strength is excellent. But -- it's not actually accessing the internet. I *can* connect with a neighbor's unsecured wireless network, but not with mine, even though every screen that relates to the wireless connection status tells me I'm connected.

Stuff I have tried with no effect:
--Rebooting.
--Checking all hardware connections.
--Disabling Windows firewall.
--Repairing the connection.

In "Network Connection Details" it says:
--Address Type: Assigned by DHCP
--IP Address: 192.168.1.100
--Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
--Default Gateway: 192.168.1.1
--DHCP Server: 192.168.1.1
--Lease obtained: 10/8/2009 3:06:37 PM
--Lease expires: 10/9/2009 3:06:37 PM
--DNS Servers: 68.87.69.146
68.87.85.98
68.87.78.130

I have WPA security on the network, but the password or key don't seem to be presenting any problems.

It would probably help if I had a better grasp of how wireless networks work. But, based on this -- any ideas? Anything I could try?

Why can't the networked devices just get along?

edjusted — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 18:03:26 -0800

I'm trying to set up my parents' home network. The easiest way to describe it is with a diagram. They have a DSL router in a closet, and that's connected (ethernet) to mom's desktop pc. There is a wireless router (D-Link DI-524) that's also connected to the DSL router via ethernet. There is a printer connected to the D-Link via ethernet. And finally, dad's laptop connects via wifi. If the DSL router is connected to the wireless router's LAN port, mom can surf the web and print to the printer, but dad can't connect to the internet. (see the "lan port connection" diagram) If the DSL router is connected to the wireless router's WAN port, mom can surf the web but can't see the printer, but dad can connect to the internet. (see the "wan port connection" diagram) I've tried tweaking the D-Link's settings to both accept a DHCP address or have a hardcoded address, and also to pass out or not pass our a DHCP address to dad's laptop. What I can't seem to accomplish is: 1. mom can access internet 2. mom can access printer 3. dad can access internet 4. dad can access printer Any suggestions? Can I even do this with this equipment?

WiFi Filter

bad grammar — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 15:33:40 -0800

Is there a scammy catch or otherwise bad deal to Starbucks' free WiFi through the Starbucks card and AT&T? Don't whale away at Starbucks and their corporate fascism and terrible coffee, please; I am taking an online class at my regular university and have to get online through the day. I registered by Starbucks card for 2 hours of free WiFi access at Washington, D.C. area Starbucks locations. As for why not the public library, the National Mall, etc. it is 90+ hot and I am carrying a laptop, which I used to access (not a smartphone) and books.

I realize that I've let myself in for a deluge of promotional e-mail from both companies, but have I let myself in for anything worse? Will AT&T send me bills?

I logged on at the Starbucks at 1502 Dupont Circle and then the AT&T link dropped out and I was unable to log out. I logged back on but the AT&T sign-in screen did not come back up. Will I be penalized for not logging out? I was able to log on and log out properly at another location. There were very many competing wireless links at the Dupont Circle location.

How can I maximize my laptop's ability to pick up wireless signal?

btkuhn — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 09:25:00 -0800

How can I maximize my laptop's ability to pick up wireless signal? Hi everyone,

I don't have regular internet access at the moment because I am traveling and staying at a (crappy) hotel for 2-3 months. Dialup is not an option because of the way the hotel's phones are set up - they are digital and I wold get charged for making calls anyways. My hotel doesn't have wireless internet but a nearby apartment complex does. I can just barely connect to their network on a good day, but it cuts in and out because I am on the outer bounds of the network. I have permission to use the wireless network, but I am just barely out of range. What is the best way to strengthen things on my end?

I have already borrowed a friend's Wireless USB network adapter - the one pictured here - which is about as strong as a wireless card you can buy, but it doesn't seem to pick up signal much better. I am reading stuff about making a coffee can directional antenna or pringles can antenna, but these would both involve building something, which I don't really have the tools for at my current location. Also, I don't understand how I would connect the antenna to the computer itself anyways. My laptop has an internal wireless antenna (like most laptops) with no external connector, and the Belkin doesn't have an external connector either.

So, what is the best way to expand my wireless pickup ability? I am willing to purchase additional products if necessary.

Thanks!

Macbook wireless signal appearing and disappearing at random, wtf is going on?

Happy Dave — Sat, 09 May 2009 02:16:40 -0800

Mac, wireless, bizarre behaviour. I share a wireless connection with other people, and every two or three days the connection on my Macbook does this very odd thing. Okay, so this is a bit of an odd one, with some strange wrinkles that may or may not matter. Here's the deal:

- I live in a small, close-knit community in South London. One of the guys here used to work for a local council as a flash developer, so his flat is wired for corporate grade broadband. Being the all-around great guy he is, he's daisy-chained a load of wireless routers together through the shared loft space of the building we live in, and for the princely sum of £20 a year, I get 8Mb (or better sometimes) broadband. I know, right?

- The router that I use, No 3, has had it's fair share of problems. It kept crashing or disappearing from our router lists (there are a good half dozen routers, some belonging to the communal system, some to individual flats). The guy who runs the system replaced this router with a new one, and gave us a USB stick with the new WPA key on it.

- I entered this WPA key on my Macbook, my wife's iBook G4 and my xBox 360. Both the iBook and the 360 now connect fine, rock solid connection with no problems.

- Here's where it gets weird. Everything worked fine on my Macbook for a few days, then one day I closed it to go and do something else. When I came back, I was still apparently connected, but couldn't get any pages to open. Then I noticed the wireless signal would appear, full bars, for 3 or 4 seconds, then disappear (no bars or one bar then no bars) for 5 or 6 seconds, then reappear. Pinging google.com or any other site through Terminal got a 'no internet connection' message.

- Here's where it get weirder. I've tried a bunch of things to fix this intermittent and incredibly irritating problem:
* Removing Router3 from my list in the Network Preference pane, then re-adding it
* Deleting my 'login' keychain to remove the WPA key, then re-adding it
* Trashing the preference file for Internet Connection

Sometimes, after doing all of these things and restarting, I'll get a strong connection back (usually 4 bars). Sometimes, it won't work. And sometimes, it seems not to work, but I close the laptop in annoyance and, when I come back to it the next morning, it's working fine.

This is driving me up the wall. I can't restart the router because I don't have physical or wireless access to it, and the fact that all the other internet-connected things in my house are working fine with it points to that not being the problem. I think I maybe have a corrupt or unneccessary keychain file somewhere that is pointing to the old WPA key for the previous router (there's a WPA key for Router3 in the 'System' keychain that I can't delete or otherwise remove).

What on earth is going on here?

Can't get new laptop to connect to wireless network

Kat Allison — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 14:57:56 -0800

Cannot get new laptop to connect to secured wireless network! Arrghh! The setup: Linksys WRT54G router; desktop physically connected to the router; old Fujitsu laptop with wireless connection that is working just fine; and brand-new Samsung N110 netbook that Will. Not. Connect.

The problem appears to be with security, since it *will* connect to public wireless nodes--and it will also connect to this router if I have security disabled. I'm not crazy about running an unsecured network, however.

I've been using WPA-PSK security. I have gone into the web interface for configuring the router settings, checked the WPA key, and typed it with great care into the relevant fields on the setup screens in the netbook, multiple times, with no success. I don't think it's a problem with me typing in the wrong key.

As noted, the old Fujitsu laptop continues to connect just fine with security turned on, so I don't think it's some pervasive problem with the router.

I've tried turning off Windows Firewall on the netbook--makes no difference. I've tried multiple instances of rebooting everything, and repairing the connection.

I tried all the steps listed at the Linksys Knowledge Base. When I physically connect the netbook to the router and check IP address, I get 192.168.1.103; desktop is same string ending in 100, Fujitsu laptop is same string ending in 101. When I ping the router from the netbook, no packets get lost.

Desktop and old laptop use Windows XP SP2, new netbook uses XP with SP 3; I can't think why this would make a difference, but I throw it out there.

I would be extremely grateful for any ideas or suggestions. Thanks!

Vista/Ubuntu wireless card?

comwiz — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 11:07:08 -0800

I need a wireless (at least 802.11g) card that will work with both Vista and Ubuntu. Help! My current card refuses to work in Vista due to some minor hardware incompatibilities, and its linux support isn't exactly stellar, but it works. I need a new card that will work great in both, and I would prefer to not have to use ndiswrapper. Also, I don't care if its PCI, PCI-E, or USB.

I want to have my cake and eat it too

lpctstr; — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 15:52:52 -0800

My computer has a wireless adapter (for internet) and an ethernet cable to a router (not internet-connected). How can I let it access the internet while also being able to access the lan through 192.168.1.X? I can only set it to access one or the other, but not both. If it's any help, I was able to get both connections working together for an hour (using the connection setup wizard), then lost it.

Can I wirelessly have audio from my laptop play on another computer?

Ookseer — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 13:59:09 -0800

Can I wirelessly have audio from my laptop play on another computer? I have an XP laptop and media center PC also with XP. They are both connected to the same local network and both have Bluetooth. Is there a reasonably simple way (without new hardware) to have the audio from my laptop play on the much nicer speakers of my media center without several dozen feet of cable?

_{Just to clarify: Not looking to share my audio library, I want to redirect the live audio out from my laptop.

Changing operating systems is not an option.}

Why is my internet acting like it's 1998?

bigcheesegump — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:32:38 -0800

Why does my internet connection suck? Here is the situation:

I just moved into a house where there is a wireless network that is too complex to begin with. There are two printers connected wirelessly to two laptops in the family room, two Tivos connected wirelessly, two laptops connected wirelessly that range from around the house and my desktop located in the absolute farthest room away from the router. The internet signal that Windows picks up is only 2 bars but the computers downstairs have full signal coverage but the speed is abysmally slow. I.e. don't even think of looking up Youtube.

Is our internet connection 'full'? Did we jam the tubes or something? It seems that as soon as I moved in, the slow down began. The connection is supposed to be very quick (I don't have the details) and the wireless router is fairly new as well. Is this something that could be fixed with a different router or do we need to upgrade to FIOS or something similar?

Side note: I don't want to go into wireless repeaters due to the internet settings for the printers are bound to get messed up in the process but there is a cable outlet in my room. Is there anyway to attach an additional modem and router to this outlet and receive better internet access?

Will someone marry my keyboard?

skylar — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 03:29:26 -0800

I've just bought a Microsoft Wireless Entertainment Keyboard 7000, which comes with the matching mouse (8000). It works great with my Windows XP computer, as long as the computer is on. Once I switch the computer off and attempt to restart, the Bluetooth connection is lost and the computer won't start, citing the lack of a keyboard as the reason. Only by repeatedly fiddling and resynching can I get the computer started up. Can anyone suggest how I bond these three devices in permanent holy matrimony?

Is my laptop slowing the family desktop?

andythebean — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 14:08:04 -0800

Is my laptop slowing the family desktop? I've just come home from college for the holidays. The family desktop is where the wireless router is hooked up. Since I've been home and using the wifi, the rest of my family has complained that the desktop's connection to the internet has been excruciatingly slow. My laptop, my sister's laptop, and my dad's laptop are all working fine. Is is possible that the recent arrival of my laptop is slowing the connection for the desktop?

Can older macs be made Airport Extreme Capable?

Anonymous — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 15:47:52 -0800

Inherited an Airport Extreme Basestation with Gigabit ethernet and would like to enable a B&W 400mhz G3 and 400mhz G4 AGP to use this wireless network at the faster speeds. Is this possible? (this is anon because it's a gift to people who know me and read Askme) I know the G4 is Airport capable, but can it use an Airport Extreme Card at the Extreme speeds? Apple sells refurbished Airport Extreme cards on their site and was wondering...

Would A PCI card work better? If so, which? Or can these older macs successfully use a USB 2.0 wireless adapter?

On the wireless network they would be accessing a printer, other computers and the internet.

My computer and my wireless are in a fight

bamassippi — Sun, 02 Sep 2007 12:31:03 -0800

My computer and my wireless are in a fight SO, I got a new Toshiba Satellite (and paid good money for the topoftheline option), and while I understand computer jargon, I'm not very well-versed on the systems surrounding the G, E, B, whatever systems that are used to connect.

I've been told that this computer can connect to any wirelss system, old and new, however when I'm in a coffee shop or at a friends house, the wireless (even though it's a high-speed system and my friends' crappier computers are being used as well) runs incredibly slow on MY computer IF it even runs at all.

Can someone explain why this happening? What can I do on my end to adjust my computer to different settings, etc?

Quick fix iMac as monitor for another Apple.

Bengston — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 13:16:32 -0800

Is there any way that I can easily use my iMac Desktop (Current Intel Model) monitor as a second or primary monitor for my Powerbook using either the wireless network or a monitor adapter? Would using some sort of remote desktop allow me to utilize all the extra monitor space? I just want to use some software that I have on my 12" Powerbook on my friends much larger monitor that is unfortunately also attached to his iMac. Thanks.

I want to watch videos that are shared on my home network on my TV

disaster77 — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 22:21:42 -0800

I want to watch videos that are shared on my home network on my TV So, I was about to buy an Apple TV, thinking it was perfect for what I want to do, but I don't have a widescreen TV (I have a 29" sd tube TV). So I'm looking for a similar device so I can watch videos shared on my home network on my TV. Support for various file types would be best, but .avi and .mpg are necessary. Must be wireless too. Does such a thing exist?

How to deal with two routers: one wireless, one wired?

edbyford — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 13:41:37 -0800

How do I get my wired router network to see my wireless router network? Are they the same thing? (I generally like to ask questions which other people may benefit from, but I'm afraid this one may be too user-specific.)

I have a modem/ethernet router. This is then plugged in to a simple wireless hub (La Fonera) which then means that my lan is broadcast around the house. I have now plugged my FreeNAS box into the (wired) ethernet router. How can I get it to see my wireless lan?

For reference:
ethernet router: 10.0.0.2
wireless router's ip address according to router: 10.0.0.9
wireless router's ip address according to computers on the wireless network: 192.168.10.1
my computer's ip address (on wireless network): 192.168.10.1.

If it makes a difference, all subnet masks are 255.255.255.0

All the different numbers are confusing me, can someone help?

Thanks for your time!

Broken Network Card Config Software is hogging my harddrive!

billtron — Wed, 08 Nov 2006 21:25:20 -0800

Why won't "Instant Wireless Compact USB Adapter Configuration Utility" uninstall, and why does it seem to take up 14.2GB of my hard drive? My google-fu fails me. I can't find a single thing about this online.

I have used a linksys WUSB12 usb network adapter in the past on this dell desktop, but not in a while. Once I noticed how large this program appears to be when I examined it in "Add or Remove Programs" I wanted to uninstall it, but it's a stubborn sucker. Nothing works, not even clicking the "remove" icon in the program's folder.

I want those 14GB back!

How do I get a wireless internet connection 200 feet away to another computer? (more inside)

malhaley — Fri, 20 Oct 2006 16:26:22 -0800

How do I get a wireless internet connection 200 feet away to another computer? I work in an office that provides a computer and an internet connection. The company has a filter on the computer that restricts internet use. I have an outside window that overlooks another office about 200 feet away which has a T-1 connection. They are broadcasting in the clear. I made a wireless antenna which picks up their signal very well and allows me to connect to the net with my personal laptop. I know the people who pay for this line and have permission to go on line using their connection. What I want to do is pass that connection to another worker in my office who is an office away who cannot receive the signal wirelessly because they have no access point overlooking the other building. How do I go about getting the internet connection to his computer as cheaply as possible? I've looked thru the previous posts but can't seem to find anything simple enough for me to understand.