On Sat, 29 Dec 2012 20:35:40 +0000, Part Timer
wrote:

On 29/12/2012 14:42, MM wrote:
My Cat5 network at home works fine, but soon I shall be entertaining a
relative for several weeks, the relative has a laptop and wishes to
connect to my network.

I already have two TP-Link TL-PA211KIT 200Mbps Mini Powerline Ethernet
Adapters to run a PC downstairs via the mains, (Router and ADSL modem
are upstairs.)

I'm thinking of buying this:
TP Link TL-WPA281 AV200 Powerline Extender with Wireless N Access
Point

But as none of my three PCs is wifi-enabled, I've got no way of
testing whether the wireless part will work to my relative's laptop
(until said relative arrives, which is too late; I want to be able to
get it all up and running before then so that all relative has to do
is switch laptop on and it connects).

So what would I need to spend to buy something that would test the
wifi-connection to the "TP Link TL-WPA281 AV200 Powerline Extender
with Wireless N Access Point"? I suppose a cheapo Notebook thingy,
e.g. Acer, is about as low as it goes. I believe these all come with
wifi inbuilt as standard.

MM

Is there anything stopping your relative from using a CAT5 cable whilst
at your place?

I thought of that point, too. But in households where Cat5 is
considered as ancient as Bakelite telephones, it seems only wifi is
acceptable! And said relative IS coming specifically to help me
recuperate for ten days from a forthcoming op, so I feel I have to do
my "bit" as well. I myself simply use the TP-Link TL-PA211 homeplugs
whenever I need to use one of my PCs in a different part of the house.
As long as there is a 3-pin socket in the vicinity, no problemo. The
TP-Link TL-PA211 kit (£30.95 from Amazon and worth every penny) came
with its own short piece of Cat5 cable and I just use that. But I am a
"wired" person. It seems other, more "advanced" users (usually young
people...) look down upon wired users as if they have the plague or
something. Or are just old, like me. My niece paid a visit a few
weekends ago and the first thing she asked was, how can she connect
her laptop? She had to "make do" with a 3m Cat5 cable! Oh, the shame!

MM