Recently I installed a new wireless network with a Linksys Wireless-G Broadband router connected to a Speedstream 4200 modem. I managed to connect the Speedstream modem to the router, allowing the router to gain internet access, but have been unable to connect the router to my home computer. I suspect that the reason I cannot connect the router is because my computer does not have an Ethernet port, as the computer is relatively old. Do you have any suggestions for connecting the router to the computer, or whether I should purchase a different router?

The lack of an Ethernet port on your computer is a major problem, since you would normally connect a router to the computer using Ethernet. Essentially, when you incorporate a router into your home networking setup you are creating a central network point through which all network traffic flows. This is why the device is called a router ? it literally routes traffic over the network, and tells the traffic how to get from point A to point B, which may be between computers on the local network (i.e. which are all connected to the router device) or are between computers on a wide area network (i.e. located on a different network, such as the internet). If you cannot connect your computer to the router you will not receive any internet traffic, because the router is unable to transfer data to that connected computer. Additionally, you obviously have the fundamental problem that the computer is not physically (or virtually) connected to the router in any way, making the computer completely stand- alone.

There are some methods we can use to connect the computer to the router. The first will involve upgrading your computer to have an Ethernet card. Even though your computer may not come with an Ethernet port, you can purchase Ethernet cards that can be installed within the computer and provide a port. These are inexpensive (costing around $20 - $30) and fit into a normal PCI slot within the computer. Before purchasing, I suggest you check that your computer has enough space for a PCI Ethernet card. To do this, power down the computer and unplug the computer from any power outlets. Open the computer and look at the expansion slots within the computer. These should be straight, white looking slots on the motherboard. Additionally, there may be text on the motherboard saying “PCI” or equivalent, which denotes the type of expansion slot on the motherboard. If you have any such spare slots then you should be able to install a PCI Ethernet card within the vacant slot. Once you have the card, it should be a matter of simply inserting the card into the slot then starting the computer and installing any relevant drivers.

However, since your computer is quite old you may not have any spare PCI expansion slots in the computer which are suitable for an Ethernet card. In this case, obtaining a USB to Ethernet converter device may be the answer. These plug into the USB port on the computer and provide an Ethernet interface, which can be used just like an Ethernet port which is integrated into the computer. Such adapters cost around $50, and are available from many online computer retailers. It is unlikely that many computer superstores stock such an item, so you will likely need to purchase this from online retailers. I suggest you search Google for “USB Ethernet adapter” and you should find various online stores which stock such items.

An alternative to a USB to Ethernet adapter is a USB wireless adapter. These adapters plug into a USB port on the computer and provide a wireless interface, allowing your computer to connect to the wireless router via wireless connection rather than cabled Ethernet. A potential disadvantage of this approach is the potential for connection interruptions (such as drop-outs) depending on your operating environment and interference from the surroundings. Additionally, you may find the initial configuration of the router and wireless system more difficult, since most wireless routers need to be configured (at least initially) using a wired Ethernet connection, for security. Therefore, if you use this approach you may need to initially setup the router using a computer which has wired Ethernet. If you do decide to try this approach, USB wireless adapters cost around $50 and are available from most computer retailers.

Personally, if the choice is between a USB to Ethernet adapter or USB wireless adapter, I would recommend the USB to Ethernet adapter. This will be more reliable in the long-term, easier to setup, and they cost about the same as the USB wireless adapter (which would give you a lot more grief in the setup stages).

However, if your computer is so old that it does not even have USB ports, then you really need to consider buying a new computer. Even if you could devise a method to connect the router to your computer without Ethernet or using a USB adapter (wireless, Ethernet, or otherwise) you need to seriously consider the performance of the machine given the lack of services which your computer supports. You can find very good computers for less than $1000 these days, so I would recommend that you have a look around to see what bargains can be had. A good place to start would be Dell (www.dell.com.au) which allows you to configure a computer online, and then see the price displayed in real-time.

Relating to your final point, purchasing a different router would not make any difference. All routers need to connect to the computer via wired Ethernet or wireless, so you will not find any other routers which will work better with your system without having wireless or Ethernet capabilities.