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Honored Contributor
Posts: 14,123
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

WIFI connected to computer??

[ Edited ]

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.

Trusted Contributor
Posts: 1,713
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: WIFI connected to computer??

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.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 37,345
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: WIFI connected to computer??

@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

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Occasional Contributor
Posts: 12
Registered: ‎05-10-2015

Re: WIFI connected to computer??

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

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Posts: 3,442
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: WIFI connected to computer??


@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.  

Honored Contributor
Posts: 14,123
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: WIFI connected to computer??

[ Edited ]

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.

 

 

Respected Contributor
Posts: 3,442
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: WIFI connected to computer??


@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. 

Honored Contributor
Posts: 20,143
Registered: ‎04-18-2012

Re: WIFI connected to computer??


@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. 

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Honored Contributor
Posts: 8,269
Registered: ‎11-15-2011

Re: WIFI connected to computer??

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.

 

Super Contributor
Posts: 256
Registered: ‎03-12-2014

Re: WIFI connected to computer??

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. HOW6315ab2.png