Help for New VM Customer

Hello all - some help please.

I'm trying to help a neighbour who has just ordered VM broadband and has been sent the wired kit, spliiter, cable modem, ethernet cable etc. This is impractical because of distance between the location of the set-top box/ cable modem and the desktop PC. A wireless option is also prefereable as the desktop will be replaced by a laptop shortly. Tried calling Virgin thinking the wired kit could be exchanged for a wireless kit but they've just said "you need to go to PC World and buy a router, wireless USB for the PC etc."

Before I do that any advice on what to get. I assume the router will plug directly into the set-top box's ethernet port and the none of the kit that's been sent is used? Can the set up be done via wireless or is there still (presumably) a need to connect to the router via ethernet initally to set the router up?

I've found the guide at http://help2.virginmedia.com/help/getContent.jspx?page=h_broadband_setup_wirelessdesktop
are there any othe points worth noting from experience?

Sorry if these seem naive questions - I've had no trouble setting up my BT ADSL but this seems a tad different - or maybe not!

Many thanks in advance.

Hi , Strange .. VM normally send an engineer to install the cable service.


Anyway you can grab one of these for the job .... Linksys WRT54G

Or you can just run an ethernet cable from the Cablemodem to your PC.

bs0d.

Thanks bs0d

That's the problem - set top box/cable modem (if used) and PC are opposite ends of their house -and not easy to cable. I'll probably try the Linksys then. Incidentally is the VM engineer installation service included as part of the package or is it a chargeable extra? Just wondered why they didn't go for it initially.

Another question - will the service installation CD that came with the wired kit still be applicable for a wireless set up?

Terry

I woud consider ethernet over mains - often referred to as PowerLine. No wireless issues (interference, etc), just send data down the mains cable.

I've gone this way after finding the 16 WiFi networks around the neighbourhood was too much to keep a stable WiFi connection working.

Good products, and very good information can be found here:
http://solwise.co.uk/net-powerline.htm

Top Advice there Sid

i always forget about that powerline stuff :P

bs0d.

-Was an absolute doddle to set up (plug them in to wall, plug in network cables, job done).
-Works over longer range than wifi
-No interference
-Speed doesn't vary with distance (much)

Had a few friends with same problem with wifi interference, and always suggest powerline. And if you don't have wifi yet, I would always suggest powerline first and get a wifi AP if you want it (can move the AP anywhere in the house that there is a mains socket). 90% of people using laptops at home have them plugged into the mains, so another connection won't kill them.

Thanks all for your help. The Powerline kit looks a good solution so might try that.