My daughter lives one block away. She has a wireless network in her
house and wants me to connect to it in my house so that when she is visting 
she can use my computer. I currently have dial up service. Her laptop
computer is able to run on her home wireless network when she comes to
my house so her signal appears to be strong enough to make this
possible.
She tells me all I need is a wireless card 802.11G installed in my
computer (A three year old pc Dell)and then I will be able to share
her signal and be wireless. Is this true? If not, what other hardware
do I need? Is there a
way to strengthen the signal from her netork on my end and if she is
accurate where do I install the wireless card? I have installed 
memory in the past so
am familiar where that type card is installed.
Thanks for your help. 
John

Hello alphadog-ga,

I am by no means a computer networking expert, but I did just what you
are describing with my next door neighbor this week.  He purchased a
wireless USB adapter and it works just fine.  I don't know how the
wireless card works, but the adapter looks simpler to me.

Here's a link to the adapter he is using:

BestBuy.com
Linksys 802.11g Wireless USB Adapter
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=1061769818475&skuId=5974065&type=product


Googlenut

She's right - all you'll need is a 802.11 card (preferably 802.11G if
that's what she recommended, or an 802.11B because they are also
compatible).  For examples, please see
http://www.netgear.com/products/details/WG311.php
and
http://www.linksys.com/products/product.asp?grid=33&scid=36&prid=635
and note there are several other manufacturers that make such cards. 
You do not need any other hardware except the antenna (which should
come with the card - make sure it does).

You can do a websearch on <  802.11G network adapter cards > or a
similar phrase to find more of them.  Since you have a desktop PC, a
card with the PCI interface (like those shows in the websites above)
is what you'll need.  For buying, you can use froogle
(http://froogle.google.com/froogle) and type in < 801.11g  adapter
cards PCI > and get pricing information, or buy locally.
To install the card, please see
http://compreviews.about.com/od/tutorials/ss/DIYPCICard.htm for help -
that page includes pictures (your computer may vary slightly from
those pictures).  The card should come with a software driver, so
install it after you install the card on the PC (that should be
explained in the sheet of paper or manual that comes with the card).

After that, there is the process of connecting to the network.  Since
your daughter has done the work to set up the access point at her end,
it should be simple at your end.  See
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/learnmore/bowman_05february10.mspx
and the part that's relevant is about halfway down the page with title
"Configure Other Wireless Computers Automatically" - and since your
daughter has already set up her laptop, she can help you with that,
then you'll be all set to use her high speed network.

Ah - I must have been typing the answer at the same time as
googlenut-ga.  The USB adapter solution will work also (though
possibly at a slower speed, depending on your computer's USB interface
and the speeds you are able to achieve the network connection, but
will most likely be faster than the dial up modem!).  The benefit of
the PCI card is that persumably the receiver/antenna combination will
be more sensitive ad can pick up signals from further away.  But the
USB "key" adapter gives you the flexibility of attaching an extension
cable and hence the ability to  position the antenna for better signal
reception. (I'd have recommended the USB if your daughter lived in the
next house or two, instead of a block away).  So the trade off between
the two is not clear (and wireless signal strength generally depends
on several variables).

Either one may work for you - I have a slight preference for the PCI
card solution (an extension cable for the antenna, if it needs to be
positioned at a different spot, it also a possibility).  Now we are
getting into secondary level considerations, so I'll stop here.  Good
luck.

I do networking at my office and I thought I'd post.

Once you purchase your 802.11g wireless card, you will run into the
problem of your daughter's wireless station being too far away to
actually recieve a signal. Wireless networking stations transmit up to
150 feet away, if you are a block away, you are most likely out of
range.

You will need to purchase a wireless network extender, such as the
D-LINK HIGH SPEED RANGE EXTENDER
(http://www.dlink.com/products/?sec=0&pid=267). Your daughter will
have to plug this into her cable modem and it will extend the signal
of her wireless transmitter. This can add up to 50% range on your
transmitter, which would make the signal reach from 150' to the
extended 225'. Once you're outside of that range, you're stuck out of
luck, you'll have to keep your dial-up or purchase high speed service
of your own.

The good thing is, once this is in place, your daughter can set up a
password for your network so only those of you with the password can
access your network, protecting your computers and the information you
may be transmitting.

Hope this was helpful.

Hi,

Your daughter is correct. You will require a Wireless Card to connect
to a Wireless Network. This card can be installed inside your desktop
box on a PCI slot (similar to memory installation). The hardware
manufacturer will give detailed instructions on how to install the
card.

You can refer to the following list of Wireless Cards that are
available in the market:

http://froogle.google.com/froogle?hl=en&lr=&tab=wf&q=Wireless+networking+card

To strengthen the wireless signal you need to install a access point
at your home. Following are the products that you can refer for
boosting signals:

http://froogle.google.com/froogle?hl=en&lr=&tab=wf&q=wireless+signal+booster

If you need futher clarifications, please let me know.

Thanks,
Murali

As was stated earlier you will of course need a wireless adapter and a
signal booster but if she truely lives a block away I doubt that it
will be practical for her to actaully recieve a signal.  Even if she
does it will probably be pretty flakey with only a singal signal
booster.  Assuming you can get teh connection to reach that far I
would recommend that you add one booster to her wireless access point
and use a unidirectional wireless antenna to focus the wireless signal
towards your house.  At your house I would suggest setting up another
wireless access point in ad-hoc mode so it will recieve the signal
from her house and then serve as an access point in your house.  Doing
this will allow her to roam more freely throughout your house because
the signal will be more consistent and she will be accessing the
access point in your house instead of trying to find the signal from
her house.

Uni-directional antenas aren't cheap:
http://www.macmall.com/macmall/shop/detail.asp?dpno=114803&store=macmall&source=mwbfroogle&adcampaign=email,mwbfroogle&wt.mc_id=mwbfroogle

http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=wifi%20antenna&complete=1&hl=en&lr=&sa=N&tab=wf

but this would be a one time cost (assumeing it all works out) as
opposed to having to pay for 2 ISP connections (a monthly cost). 
While possible the idea you are tracking down may be a bit of a
headache to actually set up and fine tune.

Just a quick security note.

Please, have some serious thoughts about the security of your
daughter's wireless network.  All are offering fantastic comments
about the your options of wireles cards/adapters and methods of
extending one's reach, I'd make note of your daughter's wireless
router, google it for the proper configs to secure your privacy. 
Maybe it's been done by default, maybe not.  It's definelty worth
looking into and even asking for local help or reviewing mfg.
documentation to set it up properly to create a private network so
others can not freely connect.

Go to http://www.steves.bz  scroll down and find "ASK STEVES BZ MAIL"
click and send him an e-mail & he will tell you exactly what to do.
(parts, set-up specifics, etc. *Wireless Expert* He set up my laptop
to auto search for signals while I'm on the road. He does not
advertise it but he will help you do almost anything for free the
first time if you are nice and polite! (PS e-mail, do not call him on
the toll free number or he may charge you something.

He's in NJ, USA but it doesn't matter where you are.

Just tell him in your e-mail you where reffered from Google Answers.

Good Luck

Two things you need to consider. You say you have an older computer,
most cards require win98 se or higher and a CPU speed of 300 MHZ. At
this speed your best option is a D-Link and you would be operating at
.b not .g. Second you need to check with her to see if her wireless
router/modem will handle .a .b .g or .n. If she uses SBC home
networking and uses 2wire 1000HW she can only operate at .b. There is
much more to the game but it?s always fun to play.

There are external wireless units that use amplified antenna systems
that may get you the distance you need without a range extender.
Networking is a fast past and ever-changing industry.

Have fun. www.rcetc.com

The Best way to do it is to Use 3 DWL-2100AP and put 2 in bridge mode
and get 2 external antennas to connect the two and a 1 for your house.
This will let you pass up to 108mbps up to 1 mile and have a 108mbps
access point in your house.