do i need a wirelss router

[Mclaren]

I am very very new to wireless.....

i bought a pcmia card for my notebook and a usb dongle for my pc, both are Intellinet products.
Once installed i notice they cannot see each other. Both are working as both can see my phones wirless network.

Do i need a router or is there something i am missing.

If i try and set up a new network, the network wizard states my adapters are disconnected. I am totaly bamboozled with this. please please help. I am not connecting to the net at this point, i just want to be able to access files from one pc to the other. Once i can get this right want to use my phone as a modem als va wireless.

[Ron2K]

You can set up an ad-hoc network, but they're not that pleasant to deal with. Using a proper wireless access point is by far your best solution.

[Mclaren]

so you mean.....GO BUY A ROUTER ???

[po10cy]

router = your wireless access point so yes

[Prime]

Yes, an access point would be the best way. Assuming you can get plain wireless hubs, you could simply do that, but a router will be more future proof as it will allow you to add internet access to your network.

[SykomantiS]

What you guys say is true, it's easier to buy a router, but that's not the answer to his question.

Do you need a router? No.You can create an ad-hoc network like Ron said, but it's unpleasant, especially if you aren't familiar with wireless networks. If money is no object, then get a router.

But again, you don't need one.

And you can connect more than two pc's ad-hoc, we've done it at our campus when I was still back home (the good old days).

[Mclaren]

thanks syko. have dabled but cannot egt it right.

I am now running win 7 Build 7100 32Biton my pc, and trying to network an xp home notebook, but just cannot get it right with wireless. On top of that Win 7 keeps changing my Work network to a public one, if i use a cable which is also driving me up the wall. but that is gonna be another post.

[Sojourn]

thanks syko. have dabled but cannot egt it right.

I am now running win 7 Build 7100 32Biton my pc, and trying to network an xp home notebook, but just cannot get it right with wireless. On top of that Win 7 keeps changing my Work network to a public one, if i use a cable which is also driving me up the wall. but that is gonna be another post.

I sukkeled with Ad-Hoc for a week... as long as I kept the PC's running while connected it was 100%... but as soon as you reboot it was a mission again.
Getting an AP fixed it for me.

[SykomantiS]

Back at campus three of the students (myself included) used ad-hoc on our lappies, we created a secure ad-hoc network and I think we had it set to automatically connect when in range (not sure), never had a day's problem with that network.

I must say, I've never used Win 7 in an ad-hoc situation, so I can't comment on that.

[Mclaren]

@ Sojourn....."AP" ???

[Sojourn]

@ Sojourn....."AP" ???

see below from Ron - highlighted

You can set up an ad-hoc network, but they're not that pleasant to deal with. Using a proper wireless access point is by far your best solution.

[Mclaren]

ta.....too many abbreviations in my life......lol