Wanting 2 network my home .. need ideas

[simonjanda]

Hi

I have Virginmedia broad band conected to 1 computer in my house.

I want to have a laptop and be able to access the internet from anywhere in my house.
But I also want to be able to access all he music and video files on my main computer.

I have noticed things like 1TB Network Hard Drives - is is just a case of copying all files I want from my main computer on to one of these so I can access the info?

Can't I have direct access to my main PC and if so does it always have to be switched ON?

The laptop will primarily be for my daughter so she can access the internet and play games in her room, so I want to be able to connect it to her TV. She plays Lord of the Rings Online, could she still do this in her room as the game is set up on my main PC or is it just a case of installing it on the laptop and playing as usuall?

Finally, could you give me some idea of what I would need - hardware to set up a network -(wireless I think is easier) and what sort of laptop would be good enough to play LOTR Online?

Many thanks.

Simon Janda

[k.jacko]

Hi

I have Virginmedia broad band conected to 1 computer in my house.

I want to have a laptop and be able to access the internet from anywhere in my house.
But I also want to be able to access all he music and video files on my main computer.

Hi Simon, first you need a wireless router, preferably with 4-port switch, like the Linksys WRT54gs (although old, its still a good piece of kit). I use one in my loft and it supplies the whole house with a good wifi signal.

I have noticed things like 1TB Network Hard Drives - is is just a case of copying all files I want from my main computer on to one of these so I can access the info?

You can get a NAS (network attached storage) drive like the one you suggest that just attaches to the network without the need of a pc(router/switch) via a cat5e cable, and yes, just copy the files over from your pc to that. An external usb hard drive would still require your pc to be always on, so that's a no-no!

Can't I have direct access to my main PC and if so does it always have to be switched ON?

You can have access to your main pc from your laptop, by setting up a 'share', but it will always need to be on to share the data thats on it. Or, see the point above regarding NAS.

The laptop will primarily be for my daughter so she can access the internet and play games in her room, so I want to be able to connect it to her TV. She plays Lord of the Rings Online, could she still do this in her room as the game is set up on my main PC or is it just a case of installing it on the laptop and playing as usuall?

Ok, to connect it to a tv, you need to know what interconnects the TV has first (vga? scart? composite?). Then you see what the laptop has (vga, s-vid) and find an appropriate cable to suit your needs.
To play LOTR she needs it to be installed on her laptop, so make sure you buy one that can handle the game. You can't programe share it from your pc.

Finally, could you give me some idea of what I would need - hardware to set up a network -(wireless I think is easier) and what sort of laptop would be good enough to play LOTR Online?

To reiterate:

• Wireless router
• Some cat5e cable
• NAS (500gb should easily be enough for 2 of you)
• wifi enabled Laptop (with s-video out), good enoguh to play LOTR, (too many to list, ask in a shop)

Hope it helps. LEt us know who you get on, or if you have more questions.