Do I need a WiFi card for a new computer?

[noahmorgans]

So I am getting a computer for Christmas and thought I had everything I needed. But, I was watching this video and it said I need a WiFi card if I don't have ethernet (which I don't). So, my question is do I need a wifi card to install windows and/or drivers?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZaFqY8UF6I

Skip to 17:30.

 

[noahmorgans]

On the modem, I see 2 and only 2 cables.
The power cable, and the coax line.
Is there another one hidden?

On the router, I see the same.
Only 2 cables, power and coax.


The basic signal from outside...where does that connect first?

I'm just trying to determine the signal path here.

"The basic signal from outside...where does that connect first?"

I don't understand what you are asking.

Yes, there are only two cables on the router. On the modem however, there are three. The coax one connected the the splitter, the power cable connected to an outlet, and an ethernet cable connected to a metal box that has several other cables that look like they go everywhere throughout the house, I am presuming those are other ethernet ports throughout the house.

 

[USAFRet]

Yes, there are only two cables on the router. On the modem however, there are three. The coax one connected the the splitter, the power cable connected to an outlet, and an ethernet cable connected to a metal box that has several other cables that look like they go everywhere throughout the house, I am presuming those are other ethernet ports throughout the house.

Ah HA.
If so, that 'modem' is not strictly a modem.
Or, we have the two devices backwards.

A modem talks to one and only one device. Generally a router.
The router is what distributes the signal around the house, either Cat5e cables or WiFi.

What are the make and model numbers of the 2 devices in question?

 

[noahmorgans]

Yes, there are only two cables on the router. On the modem however, there are three. The coax one connected the the splitter, the power cable connected to an outlet, and an ethernet cable connected to a metal box that has several other cables that look like they go everywhere throughout the house, I am presuming those are other ethernet ports throughout the house.

Ah HA.
If so, that 'modem' is not strictly a modem.
Or, we have the two devices backwards.

A modem talks to one and only one device. Generally a router.
The router is what distributes the signal around the house, either Cat5e cables or WiFi.

What are the make and model numbers of the 2 devices in question?

The Modem:
Arris TM822

The Router:
Hitron CGNM-2252

For the router, that is what it says on the box, but it doesn't show up when I google it. What comes up instead is the CGNM-2250. It looks the exact same.

 

[USAFRet]

The Modem:
Arris TM822

The Router:
Hitron CGNM-2252

For the router, that is what it says on the box, but it doesn't show up when I google it. What comes up instead is the CGNM-2250. It looks the exact same.

OK.
It looks like there are two redundant devices.
The TM822R 'modem' accepts the signal from the ISP
It should then, connect to the router from the yellow WAN port, via Cat5e, to the router.

The router, the Hitron, is also a modem/router. It also can accept the signal from the ISP via coax, and distribute that via the 4 LAN ports on the back.

On the TM822R, which port exactly is the ethernet cable connected to?

 

[noahmorgans]

The Modem:
Arris TM822

The Router:
Hitron CGNM-2252

For the router, that is what it says on the box, but it doesn't show up when I google it. What comes up instead is the CGNM-2250. It looks the exact same.

OK.
It looks like there are two redundant devices.
The TM822R 'modem' accepts the signal from the ISP
It should then, connect to the router from the yellow WAN port, via Cat5e, to the router.

The router, the Hitron, is also a modem/router. It also can accept the signal from the ISP via coax, and distribute that via the 4 LAN ports on the back.

On the TM822R, which port exactly is the ethernet cable connected to?

https://www.terapeak.com/worth/arris-tm822g-touchstone-docsis-3-0-voip-telephone-cable-modem-300mbps/321728413015/

If you go to the third picture, it is connected to the port on the way left. This is not actually the same router as mine, mine only has 1 gray port.

 

[noahmorgans]

The Modem:
Arris TM822

The Router:
Hitron CGNM-2252

For the router, that is what it says on the box, but it doesn't show up when I google it. What comes up instead is the CGNM-2250. It looks the exact same.

OK.
It looks like there are two redundant devices.
The TM822R 'modem' accepts the signal from the ISP
It should then, connect to the router from the yellow WAN port, via Cat5e, to the router.

The router, the Hitron, is also a modem/router. It also can accept the signal from the ISP via coax, and distribute that via the 4 LAN ports on the back.

On the TM822R, which port exactly is the ethernet cable connected to?

Also, could we just set up a different router through one of those yellow ethernet cables that go throughout the house?

 

[USAFRet]

Also, could we just set up a different router through one of those yellow ethernet cables that go throughout the house?

Possibly, if those remote wall jacks are actually connected properly.
Do you have a laptop or similar to test with?

 

[noahmorgans]

Also, could we just set up a different router through one of those yellow ethernet cables that go throughout the house?

Possibly, if those remote wall jacks are actually connected properly.
Do you have a laptop or similar to test with?

Yes, I have a macbook or something like that. How do I test?

 

[USAFRet]

Also, could we just set up a different router through one of those yellow ethernet cables that go throughout the house?

Possibly, if those remote wall jacks are actually connected properly.
Do you have a laptop or similar to test with?

Yes, I have a macbook or something like that. How do I test?

Turn the WiFi on that OFF.
Connect a Cat5e from the wall (or wherever) to the laptop.
Does it get connected?

 

[noahmorgans]

Also, could we just set up a different router through one of those yellow ethernet cables that go throughout the house?

Possibly, if those remote wall jacks are actually connected properly.
Do you have a laptop or similar to test with?

Yes, I have a macbook or something like that. How do I test?

Turn the WiFi on that OFF.
Connect a Cat5e from the wall (or wherever) to the laptop.
Does it get connected?

There is not a Cat5e pport on my macbook, would trying my computer work?

 

[USAFRet]

There is not a Cat5e pport on my macbook, would trying my computer work?

Damn crippled macs...
Yes, your desktop would work.

 

[noahmorgans]

There is not a Cat5e pport on my macbook, would trying my computer work?

Damn crippled macs...
Yes, your desktop would work.

Sorry for the slow response. The port doesn't work. Do you think for the time being a wifi card will work? At least until I can get that port to work.

You mentioned earlier that someone turning the microwave on could cause signal fluctuations with the card. My microwave is pretty far away from the computer and not in between my router and computer. And for neighbors using wifi, I have two different networks. The guy that set up our wifi explained to us the difference and said that the second one is on a different channel or something like that, he said sometimes on the regular channel, signals interfere so this should fix that.

 

[USAFRet]

And for neighbors using wifi, I have two different networks. The guy that set up our wifi explained...

That explains the two different devices, the Arris and the Hitron, that do the same thing.
2 different networks.

The port not working means the wiring is not all connected properly.

This really requires some major rewiring.
That location where the two routers are is a hot mess. The ports upstairs not working is a whole other issue.


So...back to your original question:
Yes, a WiFi card will work, assuming you get a good signal from one or the other router things.


Subsidiary question:
Are you paying your ISP for two actual connections? (Two IP addresses)

 

[noahmorgans]

And for neighbors using wifi, I have two different networks. The guy that set up our wifi explained...

That explains the two different devices, the Arris and the Hitron, that do the same thing.
2 different networks.

The port not working means the wiring is not all connected properly.

This really requires some major rewiring.
That location where the two routers are is a hot mess. The ports upstairs not working is a whole other issue.


So...back to your original question:
Yes, a WiFi card will work, assuming you get a good signal from one or the other router things.


Subsidiary question:
Are you paying your ISP for two actual connections? (Two IP addresses)

Very good question that I don't have the answer to. I do not do the bills and decide this stuff and the plans here so I wouldn't know.

 

[USAFRet]

Very good question that I don't have the answer to. I do not do the bills and decide this stuff and the plans here so I wouldn't know.

That's what was so confusing from the start.
A splitter, and then two modem/router things connected via coax.

Generally, the ISP talks to one device, a modem.
The modem talks to one device, the router (or a PC).
You, having 2 DOCSIS 3 devices almost certainly requires 2 connections from your ISP. Completely unnecessary money being spent.
Literally, enough internet for two houses.