topic Re: WIFI connected to computer?? in Electronics

WIFI connected to computer??

Mom2Dogs — Mon, 06 Mar 2017 03:07:11 GMT

My friend has her wifi modem running thru her computer. I told her I did not think that was necessary, but not sure, she is adamant that this is the only way it would work for her to have wifi in her house. My modem is not running thru my computer, I tried explaining to her how I thought it worked but she has a short fuse sometimes so I just let i drop..... Can someone please explain this to me...thanks

edited to add: She does not use the computer, the wifi is for her IPhone, if that makes a differece.

Re: WIFI connected to computer??

Mrsq2022 — Mon, 06 Mar 2017 03:13:23 GMT

A computer is not necessary in order to have wireless connectivity. Many people who do not own a computer use wireless for streaming television, telephone and Internet through a tablet.

Re: WIFI connected to computer??

LTT1 — Mon, 06 Mar 2017 04:00:21 GMT

@Mom2Dogs

If you mean she has the WIFI connected (through a USB port on her computer, then I don't understand.

Ours works wirelessly-- meaning one must connect to their home wifi by entering the password that is specific to the modem. Our password is on the side of the modem... just found this out a day or two ago.

HTH

Re: WIFI connected to computer??

Coskier — Mon, 06 Mar 2017 04:05:22 GMT

You are right it doe not have to connect to the computer.

Re: WIFI connected to computer??

glb613 — Mon, 06 Mar 2017 11:04:24 GMT

@Mom2Dogs wrote:
My friend has her wifi modem running thru her computer. I told her I did not think that was necessary, but not sure, she is adamant that this is the only way it would work for her to have wifi in her house. My modem is not running thru my computer, I tried explaining to her how I thought it worked but she has a short fuse sometimes so I just let i drop..... Can someone please explain this to me...thanks

edited to add: She does not use the computer, the wifi is for her IPhone, if that makes a differece.

She is wrong but there is no use in arguing with her. I know many people like her and they are right no matter what anyone says. In all fairness, if the computer connected isn't Wifi ready, having it hard wired to the router is the only way for it to connect to the internet.

Re: WIFI connected to computer??

Mom2Dogs — Mon, 06 Mar 2017 12:08:29 GMT

Thanks all...I was pretty sure I was right but wanted to confirm.

You are right @glb613 it is not worth arguing about. When she does not understand how something works she gets defensive, sigh.....the computer is never used, she uses her IPhone for all her internet, and phone needs.

I was helping her clean out a room to make space and suggested getting rid of the computer and printer...that does not work at all....but she INSISTED she could not because that was the only way to get wifi in the house.

Re: WIFI connected to computer??

glb613 — Mon, 06 Mar 2017 12:37:18 GMT

@Mom2Dogs wrote:
Thanks all...I was pretty sure I was right but wanted to confirm.

You are right @glb613 it is not worth arguing about. When she does not understand how something works she gets defensive, sigh.....the computer is never used, she uses her IPhone for all her internet, and phone needs.

I was helping her clean out a room to make space and suggested getting rid of the computer and printer...that does not work at all....but she INSISTED she could not because that was the only way to get wifi in the house.

You could, I would do this, unplug the computer and show her she stills gets the internet. It's easy to do and she won't be able to argue.

Re: WIFI connected to computer??

jaxs mom — Mon, 06 Mar 2017 18:01:36 GMT

@Mrsq2022 wrote:
A computer is not necessary in order to have wireless connectivity. Many people who do not own a computer use wireless for streaming television, telephone and Internet through a tablet.

My VOIP's have always required a wired connection between the modem and telephone base unit. I've yet to see one that works over wifi. Maybe it's something new though.

Re: WIFI connected to computer??

Zhills — Tue, 07 Mar 2017 00:17:44 GMT

I don't think the modem needs to be wired to the computer but I remember the first modem I got showing this connection because computers were not wireless.

I can see why one who is not tech savvy would think it necessary. At that time, it was to connect your computer.

Re: WIFI connected to computer??

Bigbear52 — Wed, 08 Mar 2017 04:46:01 GMT

This is my new wifi router/modem, it's the gateway 3,I had the 2, this new one was installed Saturday, It's lightning fast, it's dual band. My chromebook which is my main computer is is wirelessly connected to 5 G band, my other 2 devices my smart phone, and tablet use the 2.4 G band, still pretty fast, I live in a little studio size apartment so the connection is excellent. could hard wire via an ethernet port, if I had that type of laptop or computer, chromebooks don't have an ethernet port.. I only know of one chromebook that has an ethernet port, the acer C7. they do have USB ethernet adaptors, I don't need one.

Re: WIFI connected to computer??

Mom2Dogs — Wed, 08 Mar 2017 23:55:16 GMT

@Bigbear52the only thing I use WIFI for is my MacBook. I didn't know you could run 2 different band widths at a time!

Currently we rent our modem from the cable company. The tech guy told us to buy the best we could afford when we were ready to stop renting their modem.

Re: WIFI connected to computer??

ChynnaBlue — Thu, 09 Mar 2017 00:10:45 GMT

@Mom2Dogs wrote:
My friend has her wifi modem running thru her computer. I told her I did not think that was necessary, but not sure, she is adamant that this is the only way it would work for her to have wifi in her house. My modem is not running thru my computer, I tried explaining to her how I thought it worked but she has a short fuse sometimes so I just let i drop..... Can someone please explain this to me...thanks

edited to add: She does not use the computer, the wifi is for her IPhone, if that makes a differece.

Is the computer on or off? If the computer is turned off, it's not necessary for the modem to work. If if were, she would need to leave it running 24/7 or the WiFi wouldn't work.

If she did use the computer, having in plugged directly into the modem would provide faster internet connectivity, so it wouldn't hurt.

Re: WIFI connected to computer??

Bigbear52 — Thu, 09 Mar 2017 03:59:21 GMT

@Mom2Dogs wrote:
@Bigbear52the only thing I use WIFI for is my MacBook. I didn't know you could run 2 different band widths at a time!
Currently we rent our modem from the cable company. The tech guy told us to buy the best we could afford when we were ready to stop renting their modem. Yeah, It's a dual band router, it was just installed this past Saturday, along with the newest cable TV box called the X1, it has voice command, coolest thing! You can pause live TV, etc..Didn't think my chrome book could be any faster, but it is. I have Xfinity/Comcast. The whole sytem looks pretty cool.esp[ecially when the room is dark, with just the light of the TV.. The only thing I can't do now that I was able to do with the old cable box is, shop HSN/HSN2 by remote. The3 remote is lighted, t fades out until it's touched moved, etc...The battery life is even monitored I'm still exploring it.

Re: WIFI connected to computer??

kcladyz — Tue, 14 Mar 2017 00:45:19 GMT

I do not understand.Are you saying she has a cable going from her router to her computer? Is the computer not wireless? Or are you saying the computer itself is generating the wifi like a hotspot?

You can get a hotspot threw your wireless provider via tablet/cell phone but not a desktop.

Normally your wireless goes threw a router in your house and then you can connect all your devices wirelessly. I just not get it I guess

Re: WIFI connected to computer??

Moonchilde — Tue, 14 Mar 2017 04:54:04 GMT

It was common for older desktop computers to connect to wifi via wired ethernet ports; desktops did NOT always come with wireless internet - for quite a few years, actually. This person might have a desktop that old. Also, even today when a computer has wireless wifi and an ethernet port, a wired ethernet port will be faster compared to wireless. Most people ignore this because wireless is much more convenient and that's what most people value first and foremost. But a hardwired connection will always be more stable and faster. But then you can't pick it up and move it around, so people don't do it any more.

Re: WIFI connected to computer??

glb613 — Tue, 14 Mar 2017 12:06:34 GMT

@Moonchilde wrote:
It was common for older desktop computers to connect to wifi via wired ethernet ports; desktops did NOT always come with wireless internet - for quite a few years, actually. This person might have a desktop that old. Also, even today when a computer has wireless wifi and an ethernet port, a wired ethernet port will be faster compared to wireless. Most people ignore this because wireless is much more convenient and that's what most people value first and foremost. But a hardwired connection will always be more stable and faster. But then you can't pick it up and move it around, so people don't do it any more.

I do. I use my hardwired desktop more than any other device. I know a lot of people who still use a desktop at home for business and pleasure. Is it as common as 10 years ago? No, but there are a lot of people who prefer a large screen when using a computer.

Re: WIFI connected to computer??

Moonchilde — Tue, 14 Mar 2017 17:39:42 GMT

@glb613 wrote:
@Moonchilde wrote:
It was common for older desktop computers to connect to wifi via wired ethernet ports; desktops did NOT always come with wireless internet - for quite a few years, actually. This person might have a desktop that old. Also, even today when a computer has wireless wifi and an ethernet port, a wired ethernet port will be faster compared to wireless. Most people ignore this because wireless is much more convenient and that's what most people value first and foremost. But a hardwired connection will always be more stable and faster. But then you can't pick it up and move it around, so people don't do it any more.
I do. I use my hardwired desktop more than any other device. I know a lot of people who still use a desktop at home for business and pleasure. Is it as common as 10 years ago? No, but there are a lot of people who prefer a large screen when using a computer.

I agree with you, but my point was more directed to those in the thread who aren't aware that all computers haven't always had wireless capabilities.

Re: WIFI connected to computer??

geezerette — Tue, 14 Mar 2017 21:01:15 GMT

@Moonchilde wrote:
It was common for older desktop computers to connect to wifi via wired ethernet ports; desktops did NOT always come with wireless internet - for quite a few years, actually. This person might have a desktop that old. Also, even today when a computer has wireless wifi and an ethernet port, a wired ethernet port will be faster compared to wireless. Most people ignore this because wireless is much more convenient and that's what most people value first and foremost. But a hardwired connection will always be more stable and faster. But then you can't pick it up and move it around, so people don't do it any more.

I wish tablets would have an option for hard wired connections. I much preferred my old desktop with one of those than the wi-fi hookups today. But then, even using a tablet, I keep it on my desk and don't move it around. And it's one less thing to have to check when something isn't working right!