Printing Wifi

Okay, so last night we had a lightening storm and my All-In-One printer got zapped thriugh the landbased telephone line. I need a new printer and it will be WIFI capable which is fine since now it can be shared between computers without cables & switches.

While the laptop has built-in WIFI the desktop does not. I need to purchase WIFI capability for it. I prefer an internal PCI card (the PCIe slot is being used by my video card).

The desktop is a full-size tower so I can use a full or 1/2-height card.

Questions:

1. What card would you recommend? And why.

2. Both my wife and I use independent Broadband modems to connect to the Internet and we want to continue to do this.
A. Will the Broadband & WIFI conflict?

Thanks for our opinions.

-frank

 

All much the same depending on your router/modem

I tend to stick with the same manufacturer if possible e.g. Belkin router then Belkin Card. You could help by letting us know what Modem/Router (Make and Model) you currently use.

They shouldn't if set up correctly.

 

Currently we do not have a router. Is this needed?

 

More or less Yes, but you may find your modem is a router, again I'll ask for make model of your modem. Also are you planning to share this printer between both you and your wife's networks?

 

Both my wife & I use Verizon Broadband USB units.

We intend to share the same printer that has WIFI & USB capabilities.

In the past, we each were connected to the printer with independent USB cables through a printer switch. This worked fine.

Since a new printer needs to be bought, I just thought it might be more convenient, for her, to be wireless.

 

Again for the last time, I'll ask for make/model of modem(s) This should be shown somewhere on the cases.

 

I do not know why you are so upset.

I appreciate your attempt to help me.

I have provided you with all the information I have abot the modems.

 

I would ask why do you and your wife have separate Internet connections? That seems like a very unnecessary and expensive solution for two computers in the same building to access the Internet.

I personally am not a fan of wireless networks. Having a radio maintenance background, I know there is no way to keep a badguy from intercepting wifi radio signals, unless your network is encased entirely inside a screen room. So using wifi requires a whole new level of security discipline to keep your data and network safe.

I also don't like the fact the wifi industry has REFUSED to settle on an industry standard protocol and for years now, we have seen "801.11n (Draft) ". The "draft" allows makers to deviate from the [proposed] standards for their own purposes. For that reason, I agree completely with wildfire's recommendation to buy all wireless devices from the same vendor to ensure compatibility between the devices.

Either way (wifi or Ethernet), I recommend getting a router. These devices allow multiple computers to share 1 Internet connection. Many have built in print servers (using USB). Or you can buy a printer that has a server built in that connects by Ethernet, USB, or via wifi to the router. This allows all of your network (everything on your side of the router) to use the printer independently of any other computer. And then you can drop one of your ISP accounts, and your new printer will be payed for out of that savings in no time.

 

Ok, Sorry paladinfes

I'm not upset but the information you have supplied relates to your ISP not your hardware

It's probable that verizon have rebadged your modems but I can assure you they did not manufacture it. Have a closer look for e.g. model numbers on the casing. This could help.

 

qualcomm: 3g cdma and

the 2ndone has the numbers rubbed off

 

Ok this is a cellnet / 3G / mobile device and (assuming the other is similar) not what I was expecting at all. I'll leave it for others to respond.

I believe the above has also answered Bill's query.