Tell me from A to Z, please

paperlady316 · Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 2:06 pm Post subject: Tell me from A to Z, please

Hi, all. I"m somewhat illiterate on this new stuff. Please tell me, step-by-step what I need to do and know. I'm gonna have to use a Cradlepoint CTR 350 router with my UTStarcom UM 150 modem. My computer (a desktop) does not have a wireless card. Will I need one? Which one? How will the router connect to my computer? How will it work with my husband's old computer? Will he need a wireless card? How do I find out which wireless card his computer will need and if his computer has an available slot for the card? What besides my modem will connect to the router? More questions may follow. I guess I need a "Routers for dummies" book.

Alex · Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 4:19 pm Post subject:

OK, i'll try again. hopefully i can get it across this time.

Maybe pictures will help?

i'll be back in a few minutes... with pictures.

Capt Ron · Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 4:32 pm Post subject:

It sounds like your husband has a desktop PC and he can hook it directly to the 350 router with an enternet cable. It is the plug that looks like a large telephone plug.

And you could purchase a WIFI USB adapter from your local Wal-Mart for your connection. That way you could connect to the router wireless. Or you could both connect using adapters on both computers.

If you both used WIFI adapters it would allow you to place the router in the best location to get the best signal on your EVDO card.

I suggested Wal-Mart because it should be handy, but you can find them in several other places.
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Ron

paperlady316 · Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 5:02 pm Post subject:

Thank you, Capt. Ron for you reply. We both have desktops. That's what is confusing me as to whether I need the wireless cards to install in the computers. I know that the modem will plug into the router via the USB. But connecting two desktops to the router is where I'm lost.

Alex · Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 5:09 pm Post subject:

the following picture shows a UM150 attached to a CTR350, and a yellow cable running from the ethernet port on the CTR350, to an ethernet port on back of a desktop PC.

Easy enough, when one PC is involved. HOWEVER, it sounds to me like NEITHER of your two computers have WiFi built in, so you are wondering how you would connect both computers when the CTR350 only has one ethernet port. One solution, Capt. Ron has already described. Get a WiFi USB adapter for one or both of your desktops.

Another solution is to buy an "network switch" that has multiple ethernet ports, and can redistribute connection from ONE port, to MANY ports. The following picture shows a setup with a CTR350 and a switch. All those extra holes on the switch, can have another ethernet cable going to another PC, if needed.

Network switches are cheap and available at walmart. like this one.

A THIRD and BEST solution is to skip the CTR350 and get the bigger/better Cradlepoint MBR1000 as shown below, because it has a BUILT-IN NETWORK SWITCH on the back of it. (see last picture showing back of MBR1000)

the following photo shows the back of an MBR1000 with its buiilt in network switch. (labeled LAN1, LAN2, LAN3, LAN4)

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paperlady316 · Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 5:50 pm Post subject:

Very good, Alex. Now I understand. So I can't go wireless with these two computers, huh?

Alex · Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 5:55 pm Post subject:

Alex · Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 6:02 pm Post subject:

here is an example of a WiFi USB adapter you can buy and use on each computer that does not already have WiFi on it.

once you add one of these to EACH computer, they will be able to wireless connect to the internet THROUGH the CTR350.

Alex · Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 6:04 pm Post subject:

here's another one... the Belkin F5D7050 Wireless-G 54Mbps USB Network Adapter

and its only $30 from walmart:

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=3756936

Jayson · Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 6:17 pm Post subject:

paperlady ...there is also a wirless adapter that goes in a pci slot inside the case of your computer....it isnt very hard to install ...they are also sold at walmart and it has a full explaination of how to install it with your purchase !!!! they look like this

paperlady316 · Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2008 5:04 pm Post subject:

Thank you, Alex and Jayson. Now all I gotta do is save up the money for all this.

Whohearsu · EVDO Fledgling Joined: 06 Jan 2008 Posts: 11 Location: IL.

Thanks Alex, I had all the same questions. I loved the pictures and now know my options. Great site for people like me that don't know what I don't know.
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Whohearsu

lewxam · Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2008 2:13 pm Post subject:

Like they say, a picture is worth a thousand words and many Google searches.

I really appreciate the pictures. I just couldn't get it straight in my mind how those devices hooked to each other until I saw the pictures.

Thanks Alex.

steveinms · EVDO Fledgling Joined: 06 Mar 2008 Posts: 15 Location: ms

Thanks alex, my new 1000 will be here tommorrow and the pictures helped this newbie...3g store got it shipped out super fast..thanks guys Very Happy

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alltelevdo

JoeCHecht · EVDO Junkie Joined: 05 Jan 2008 Posts: 326

I have been in charge of many large scale technical forums over the past 25 or so years, (BBS, newsgroups, Compuserve, GEnie, and have even written commercial forum software).

I just want to say (as a professional), this is probably one of the best support threads I have even seen.

Wow. I am truly impressed.

Proud (of the participants).

Really nice, 1st class job, exceeding all expectations. Ever.

Joe