want to make my fios work with new PC, wireless

[tookay5]

I signed up for FIOS about 2 years ago, and the Verizon tech setup evrything.  My PC is pretty old, about 4 years, and does not have  wireless capability.   The route that verizon gave me was ActionNet MI42WR.  There is a cable running out of that into the back of my PC.

Now I am buyinbg a PC, and it hasd wireless capability.   Dell offer various different option, such as routers erc.....do I need to buy those, or will everything work fine with my current verizon setup?   Or do I have to call Verizon and tell them I now have a wireless PC and to upgrade my setup so it will all work?

Also....if I just need to keep my existing Verizon service, does this now mean I dont need to run the cable from the router to my PC?   I would like to have my PC in different room. 

Sorry, this may sound basic, but I know mnothing about what is required when I upgrade my PC.

[CharlesH]

This is what the forum is for =P

Since you already have the wireless router, all you need to do is make sure the computer has a wireless networking card built into it.  If it's a desktop they may sell a wireless USB adapter with the PC so you can connect to the FiOS provided wireless router...only if it doesn't come equiped with a wireless adapter.  You'll see stuff like Wireless-G enabled or something like that when looking at the computer's specifications.

That's it.  You don't really need to buy anymore equipment besides your new computer.

If you want, feel free to post a web address or model number and I'm sure anyone here could verify if you'll be good or not on the wireless networking.

[Justin46]

You shouldn't have to do anything, other than enter the encryption key into your new PC the first time you try to connect wirelessly.

1) You do not need to buy any router or anything else from Dell except the PC.

2) You do not need to contact Verizon, since you already have the wireless router and internet service you are good to go. You can connect pretty much as many computers to the router as you want, wired and wireless (although if you want more than 4 wired computers some time in the future you will need to buy a switch).

3) If you are going to keep the old computer, since it does not have wireless capability, unless you install a wireless adapter that computer will have to remain connected to the router via the cable.

4) You can use the new computer wirelessly anywhere you can get the wireless signal. Some people complain that the Actiontec does not provide a strong wireless signal; I have never experienced that, I have used my laptop at the other end of the house, about 60-70 feet, and on the back porch, with no problems. You will just have to try it to see if it will work ok in your environment. If it doesn't, before going out an buying any more stuff, try moving the antenna on the router around, moving the router itself a little bit (higher is usually better). Also, keep in mind that there are a number of things in the typical house that can interfere with a wireless connection; one of the most common is cordless phones (not cell phones). If that should happen, try changing the channel the router is using (if you have this problem, come back and search the forum, or just as about it and someone will tell you how to change the channel).

5) The one thing you will need to do is enter the WEP encryption key into your PC the first time. The key is on a label on the back of the router; when asked, just enter it, and all should be good. (by the way, withou getting too technical, WEP encryption is not really very strong, it can be broken very easily, so if you are going to do your banking, etc over the wireless I suggest you implement WPA encryption. At this point this is just a suggestion for the future, come back if you decide to do that).

If you have problems or want more info be sure to come back and ask, there are lots of folks here willing to help.

Good luck, and enjoy the freedom of wireless, and the speed of the new computer   

__________________________________
Justin
Verizon FiOS TV, Internet, and phone
IMG 1.6.2, Build 08.58
Keller, TX 76248