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I just signed up with Sky and am awaiting their router but my PC is a bit antique. So I know I need my PC to pick up a wireless signal. I looked for things to pick up wireless and noticed how different they are and a massive range in prices.
I am thinking of getting a plug in wirelss card but will it work with Sky's router?
I am thinking of getting the card in this link http://www.misco.co.uk/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=236135&sku=44766
Will that work OK with Sky's router and are Misco.co.uk reliable to buy from?
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I use misco through work a lot and find them very good.
That card should work fine as long as your PC has a spare PCI slot, and is Windows ME, 2000 or XP (according to the website).
Pipex -> Zen -> UKFSN -> Sky LLU
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I have XP Windows and spare slots.
Thank you for your help.
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Register (or login) on our website and you will not see this ad.
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Is the router going to be anywhere near the PC? If so you might be better off with a wired ethernet connection; it will be faster and more reliable than a wireless connection. If your PC is under 4 years old it will most likely have an ethernet port built in already. If not, an adapter card is cheap as chips. http://www.misco.co.uk/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=90233&CatId=1079
Regards,
Steve
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It does sound like the OP has confused the "wireless router" as being a wireless ONLY router.
Not the first time and definitely no t the last.
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Just to clarify while the router does have wireless it also has 4 Ethernet ports so you can plug your computer directly into the router. The connecting cable will be with the router usually about 1.5 metres I believe however you can buy them in varying lengths.
If not needed the wireless can be turned off.
If you do go wireless the USB dongle suggested can sometimes be better as you can move them to get the best reception.
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The author of the above post is a thinkbroadband moderator but it does not constitute an official statement on behalf of thinkbroadband.
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Now I am a bit more confused.
Thank you to everyone so far for making things clearer on the wirelss stuff though and I got that item from misco with no trouble at all.
I have also now got the router from Sky but the instructions do mention plugging the yellow lead into the ethernet hole. I don't have an ethernet hole on my PC, (I told you it was an antique).
So another question:-
Do I need to get an ethernet card as well now, or can I set up the router just using the wireless card I got from misco and put in my PC?
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I decided to get a plug in card as my PC only has two USB holes and I use them to plug things like phones and cameras in.
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If you have just plugged the router into your new ethernet card, it should just work on the internet, you will not need to use the coaster I mean CD Sky sent you.
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So I can use Sky's router either by the wireless card or with that card in your link?
That card seems cheap enough to have either option on my PC as I have already put in the wirelss card.
If I put in a ethernet card into my PC, can I connect other PC's in the house using the wirelss feature on the router?
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I havn't got an ethernet card in my PC, just the wirelss card.
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"If I put in a ethernet card into my PC, can I connect other PC's in the house using the wirelss feature on the router?"
Yes However you would need a wireless card or dongle for each PC that you wish to connect.
"That card seems cheap enough to have either option on my PC as I have already put in the wirelss card. "
An ethernet card is well less than a tenner, maximum £20 fitted by a local PC shop
Edited by soundsystem (Tue 20-Nov-07 17:24:36)
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Just spotted that, replied to your other one
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But do I need an ethernet card? Can I get it to work just using the wireless card I already have and is inside my PC?
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Theoretically yes it should work as it is with the wireless card.
1) Install the wireless card / USB dongle
2) Go into the software for 1)
3) Setup a new connection and use the pass phrase which is normally on the bottom of the router.
4) That should then hopefully connect to the router. ie You can access it via your browser
If you have no idea on how to do this, it is going to be your stumbling block. Here's some instructions, but remember they may not relate 100% to your choice of wireless card. And that it assumes you have access to the router. You may be as well hooking the router up to another PC if you have a network card in one of them?
http://www.skyuser.co.uk/forum/view-wireless.html
The easiest option by far would be the network card. How old is your PC? Most PC's within the last 3 or so years should have one as default.
Hope that helps you.
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Think I have got it now.
I can use Sky's router to connect to any PC in the house just by wireless without having to plug in that yellow ethernet cable at all?
So if I can do that, it doesn't matter where I put the router? By that I mean the router doesn't have to be near my PC?
Thanks for your help so far.
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There is only one PC permanently in my house now as my kids have laptops and are at uni. However when they come home in the holidays they want to use the internet so steal my PC to do it.
Their laptops are fairly new, one is a year old and the other is 2 years old and they both have wireless on them and use wireless where they live while at uni.
My PC is much older and gets upgraded bit by bit and doesn't have an ethernet hole or ethernet card in it. The oldest bit in my PC now is the motherboard and CPU which is about 5 or 6 years old.
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"I can use Sky's router to connect to any PC in the house just by wireless without having to plug in that yellow ethernet cable at all? "
Yes remember if you have 3 PC's A, B and C
A B C would each need a wireless card if you wish to go wireless
A B could be wireless whereas C could be wired using the yellow cable This would work in any combination of A B and C
You would only need to use the yellow cable if you do not wish for that PC to be wireless and that PC has a network card. You can have up to 4 wired PC's as standard and loads on wireless.
"So if I can do that, it doesn't matter where I put the router? By that I mean the router doesn't have to be near my PC? "
Correct 
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Great and thanks for your patience. I will be trying the wireless only way then as that means I won't have to get an thernet card and also that means one less cable to the spaghetti of cables I have already.
Now I just have to wait for my connection to go over to Sky then to do it.
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No problems, good luck. It's definitely worth it and good value for money.
Give us a shout on here if you get stuck 
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You should be able to set up your router using wireless.
The benefits of ethernet are that it is faster, more stable, and doesn't require any additional software or drivers; it is all part of the operating system. Wireless cards need drivers and software to look after the connection so if your PC is getting on a bit these things can slow it down a little. You don't need an ethernet card but if the PC is by the router and is likely to stay there you'll probably have less trouble in the long run with an ethernet card.
Regards,
Steve
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Just thought I would let you all know everything went great. So thanks to everyone that helped me. I have been with Sky now for few months and it is fantastic.
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