Member Avatar for culley114

I'm not sure if this is possible but I want to hook up a wireless router to my Dell Inspiron 1721 laptop. I have a built in Verizon Broadband PC card, or something like that, to access the Internet. I have a router set up to my desktop but I want a way to have a wireless network when I travel so other systems such as my PS3 and iPod Touch can have their online features. Just to clear this up because many people have misunderstood what I'm trying to do, I'm not trying to connect my laptop to a wireless network, I'm trying to create a new wireless network with my laptop as the hub. If it's of any use I'm operating with Windows Vista.

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Two realistic ways exist to make a laptop act as a wireless "hub." Which one will work for you depends on the Vista drivers and on whether the client devices need an infrastructure access point (AP) or will accept an ad‑hoc network.

You can create a computer‑to‑computer (ad‑hoc) wireless network in Vista and turn on Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) for the broadband connection. In Network and Sharing Center choose "Set up a connection or network" -> "Set up a wireless ad hoc (computer-to-computer) network," create the SSID/password, then open Network Connections, right‑click the Internet (Verizon) connection -> Properties -> Sharing and enable "Allow other network users to connect..." and pick the ad‑hoc adapter. Test connectivity, then adjust the Windows firewall if clients cannot reach the Internet.

Ad‑hoc has limits: some consoles and devices require an infrastructure AP and won’t join ad‑hoc networks. Because you mentioned wanting to share to a game console and a mobile device, verify each client’s docs. If a device requires an infrastructure AP, the reliable option is either a small travel router (set to create an AP or to use the laptop as its upstream) or a Wi‑Fi adapter/driver that supports SoftAP/hosted‑AP mode — not every USB or built‑in adapter can host an AP, even if it can join networks. As suggested, adding compatible hardware/driver support is often the simplest way to get a proper infrastructure hotspot.

Troubleshooting tips: update Wi‑Fi and PC‑card drivers, disable conflicting virtual adapters or extra DHCP servers, reboot after enabling ICS, and test with a smartphone first. If clients connect but show "no Internet," recheck the sharing settings and temporarily disable third‑party firewalls. For travel use where consoles must connect reliably, a compact travel router is the least fussy solution.

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Member Avatar for Michael_Knight

I'm not sure about the Verizon card, or if its configurable with any other ISP. But if you already have a wireless router, all you need a a USB Wireless Adaptor or a PCMCIA Wireless Network card for the laptop.

Both are cheap, and will get you connected.

Member Avatar for culley114

Ya but that seems like it will only connect my laptop to a network. I don't want that, I can already do that with what's built into the laptop. I want to be able to create a new network from the laptop.

Member Avatar for ebarrera

so what you are trying to do is make your laptop the access point?

Member Avatar for culley114

Exactly!!!! I'm not sure it's even possible but it will solve a lot of problems and save me some money.

Member Avatar for ebarrera

i never heard of that being done before. not sure how to do it. sorry.

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