Korean Job Discussion Forums

[stevemcgarrett]

We now have two notebook computers at home. To connect both to the Internet our provider (KT) recommended buying a LAN router rather than getting a second service contract.

So we connected the router with built-in adapter to the wall outlet and connected two cables to the router and computers.

Although the light display indicated that both lines were on, only one of us could get online at a time.

Is this an ISP sourcing problem or what?

Any informed advice would be much appreciated (and, yes, I am still an apprentice on computers).

[SuperHero]

You'll need to connect to your router through one of the computers and set up the wireless network. I can't remember off the top of my head how to do it but the software should be pretty easy and if it isn't the manual will help you.

You may have to download the English manual from the manufacturers site though. I highly recommend that you set up a secure network so your neighbors don't leech your bandwidth away.

[JongnoGuru]

What's your router make & model? Could be I or someone else uses or has used it.

If you can't get that to work, I have a Buffalo wireless router I'm no longer using and would be willing to part with.

[peppermint]

I've been having extreme network aggravation in the last couple of days myself. Does the software for the router pick up both computers?

[JongnoGuru]

OP, you mention all kinds of minor things (seeing display lights, plugging in the AC adapter, running cables) but you don't mention the bigger, trickier ones like software installation, router configuration, manual configuration of each computer, securing your network, etc. Were none of those a problem, or haven't you actually done them yet?

[spliff]

Forward those ports!

[mishlert]

I posted The Wireless (WiFi) Guide a while back.
Hope it helps

[stevemcgarrett]

Dean--er--JongnoGuru:

Here's some details and the conundrum:

I've got two Toshiba Satellite notebook computers (M200 series), i.e., same make and model. Both purchased in Shanghai and thus both in Chinese language, so no clue how to do the wireless part.

I'm fairly certain both are wireless ready. My wife can't seem to locate the instructions for utilizing the wireless, either.

We have a KT connection, I believe it's ADSL--certainly not a modem and not the fastest high speed connection. BTW, my operating system is Windows Vista Home Basic, if that matters.

The equipment we bought here in Korea is a 5-port switching LAN hub with adaptor by Cosy.

How do I check the router config and the computers' manual configs?

superhero:

How do I go about maintaining a secure connection for bandwidth?

mishlert:

Mahalo for your kokua. I'll read through it and try to make some sense of it.

But it seems to me I wouldn't need a router/hub if I'm using wireless on one computer, right??

Think of me as a "low-intermediate learner" of computers here, bruddahs and sistas.

ONE OTHER UNRELATED MATTER:

This has been bugging me too. One of the computers makes a grinding sound for about 3 seconds when you turn it on cold. When warm, it doesn't. The other one is much quieter. Any cause for alarm (we're still under return-and-exchange warrant)?

[mishlert]

If you want a wireless network in your home you will need a wireless hub, which is basically a router/hub with ports and one, or two antennas. Either way (wired or wireless), Vista will automatically recognize the computers attached to the network by the name said computers were given; the names can be changed in the control panel.
If you go wireless, read the manual carefully and go the the site specified to give you network a name, and make it secure so your neighbors can't surf the web through your network.

As for your laptops, if you go wireless, and they are wireless ready, you will see an icon with radio waves coming out of the side and a balloon stating that one, or more wireless networks have been detected. Click on the balloon and you'll see a list of wireless networks at which point click on your network and log in. All this is assuming you went to the site specified in the manual and gave your network a name, and made it secure.

Note: You only need to log in once, after which the computer will automatically do it every time you turn it on.

[stevemcgarrett]

mishlert:

Thanks for the detailed advice on wireless but what I'd really prefer doing is using a hub without antenna to connect both computers to the same ISP outlet.

Not only should this be easier to do, but I've heard (perhaps incorrectly) that a wireless connection is slower.

Any advice on this approach?

[stevemcgarrett]

mishlert:

Thanks for the detailed advice on wireless but what I'd really prefer doing is using a hub without antenna to connect both computers to the same ISP outlet.

Not only should this be easier to do, but I've heard (perhaps incorrectly) that a wireless connection is slower.

Any advice on this approach?

[mishlert]

I have a wireless hub/ router with 4 ports:

1 for my computer
1 for the computer hooked up to the PAAV
1 for the XBox 360

My wife likes the freedom to move around the house with the laptop.
When it comes to surfing the web and checking your emails, wirless is quick. But when it comes to downloading torrents, I've noticed that it takes about 25% to 30% longer wirelessly.

Note: Everything is running off one account (ISP).

[cbclark4]

Assuming you have a 4 port Router (Router smart - Hub dumb).

The WAN port should connect to the wall or Cable Modem.

The other 4 ports are LAN ports they go to PCs.

If a CD came with the router run it on one pc only this is to clone the
pc into the router, makes the wan think the router is the PC it clones
the MAC (nothing to do with apple) address I think.

To access your Router Console you type in the Routers LAN IP address
in the Explorer address bar.

Spliff should have this off the top of his head, I think it 168.192.1.1

Sometimes the put it on a sticker on the side of the router,
or you can find it in the manual.

The router should be assigning an IP to each PC
attached as you login to the router I thnk that's the DNS function?

Also if you can get a hold of the mfg support they can send
you the ROM flash to change you over to english console.

Wired is more secure.

This will either help you or add to the confusion.

Oh, make sure you enable DNS or both PCs.

Start, control panel, Network, network properties, IP configuration
(something like that) I'm at work my XP is Korean right now.

If you are confused add more questions and I'll try to unmuck it all.

[itaewonguy]

dude call your ISP and the guy will come out and do it all for you for FREE!

you will need a Switch router which connects in the telephone line box which is hiden in the wall, then all you do is plug your laptops into the wall into the internet plug...

thats what I do, with my two pcs..

call your ISP thats why they are there..
the dude will come out and do everything you ask and more..

[JustJohn]