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Using an old windows desktop machine as a network PC


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Posted

Hey All,

So I have a few questions... I have just purchased a USB wifi adapter with a 15db antenna build in, its quite a big thing with a 10 meter usb extension (picture below)...

I am finding the range great on this, and in central bangkok I was picking up 100+ networks, where as my mac book was hardly picking up any let alone the hotels wifi, with this 100% signal so thats good... the problem I am finding is although it came with a mac driver and wireless itlity application it did not work and kept causing my macbook to reboot in a loop etc. I managed to find another driver (bearextender m42 utlity) and installed that which works so I am using the wifi adapter on my mac... yet it still has issues, sometimes when I reboot my mac the application for it does not run so I have to uninstall then reinstall to be able to use it again. I think that the mac is not great for external wifi devices as I have another which also works but takes time bodging other drivers which are not made for it...

My plan is to buy a really old shabby desktop pc say windows XP, 512mb ram and plug the adapter into that as I know it will run better from windows, I am then thinking of using said old pc as a hub for the house network.... for example the old pc can be switched on 24/7 so basically get the internet, then I was thinking of setting up a network and somehow broadcasting the internet from that machine to any other pc`s that connect to the network wether that by via wifi or ethernet (i always prefer ethernet I find it more stable)

What hardware should I be looking to buy aside from the old desktop pc? I would imagine an old desktop pc being around 3000 bhat? but I know can setup the network on the windows machine and then obviously ethernet into other machines but little confused how to share the desktop pc`s internet via wifi... for example if my wife wanted to connect to the network via her phone and get the internet that the desktop is taking in via the wifi adapter/antenna?

Cheers

sku_178519_6.jpg

Posted (edited)

cheesy.gif What makes you think an old Windows XP desktop PC would be good for a networking hub? It's ancient technology! whistling.gif

Again, with your crazy ideas! cheesy.gif

Edited by BB1950
Posted

cheesy.gif What makes you think an old Windows XP desktop PC would be good for networking hub? It's ancient technology! whistling.gif

Again, with your crazy ideas! cheesy.gif

Lol, sorry maybe not XP (i have not used windows for along time)

Something like this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lenovo-Windows-7-Mini-Desktop-PC-Computer-Core-2-Duo-2GB-DDR3-RAM-Dual-Core-SFF-/121677028641?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item1c54841d21

It doesnt have to be good technology it will simply be a media box/internet server for the house... I guess XP is a bit oldskool now though, I will go to the IT mall soon but I just dont want to be blagged into buying something I do not need when really I just need an old pc/mini pc to act as the houses hub... I may plug a crappy monitor init incase someone wants to use the computer for internet browsing when I am not about... I do not think it is such a crazy idea to use an old desktop pc as a houses hub/media centre isit? but I do admit I do get a bit crazy with these things... even my wifi antenna I am addicted to now scanning for networks... I am a coder by trade but when it comes to hardware I am a bit left in the past if I am honest, ask me to write you some PHP/CSS/XML/HTML/Jquery etc sure lol

Posted

You essentially need a device that will have TWO WiFi connections, and act as a NAT Router to provide multiple LAN (in-house) WiFi Internet Connection using a single WAN (external WiFi) Internet 'service' Connection.

So... if you really want to use your new USB Panel Directional WiFi Antenna, you need to find out what OSes are compatible with it, and what those OSes minimum requirements are.

Does your device support LINUX?

You already know it supports Windows.

I mention Linux first because you could easily find a distribution that directly supports this use scenario and could be installed on FLASH type Memory. Heck, you could run it on a Raspberry PI device (configured as a NAT Router) if it had compatible USB drivers and software. But back to Linux, if the device has Linux support that may be the cheapest option (both for initial cost and ongoing power cost).

And, yes, you could use a dedicated PC running Windows. Even a small HTPC. There's software out there for enabling it as a NAT Router.

Posted

Would it run on the Mac with Windows running as a VM?

Could run straight off a Mac Mini, if the drivers were stable.

Otherwise, *maybe* on a mac with a Windows VM. The VM Guest usually relies on the HOST for internet connections (and not USB devices maintained by the Guest [i've never tried it this way]). Bit of redundancy going on there just to run a simple NAT Router.

The nice thing of having a separate box as a NAT Router is it could also support being a Media Server (File Server).

Posted

I'm not a mac man, but VirtualBox supports direct access to USB devices plugged into the host, even if the host OS doesn't support them (at least on a Windoze host).

Posted

Would it run on the Mac with Windows running as a VM?

I thought of that as I do have VM running , I didnt think VM would pick up plugged in USB adapters? also I did not think it would pick up the internet and share to my mac? sorry I am new to VM too... I would prefer a different windows machine ultimately as then the wife etc can use it and its good to have an eternal box for keeping running 24/7

Cheers

Posted

If you have Win 7/8+ machine with ONE or even TWO Network Adapters, then it's possible to use Microsoft's Virtual WiFi MiniPort implementation to share your current Net/Internet Connection and turn your PC/Laptop WiFi connection into a WiFi Access Point (Hotspot) to share that connection with others.

Unfortunately, Microsoft but didn't include management software to enable, maintain or control it.

But there ARE free and paid software out there that will.

Connectify is probably the best known of the paid app for implementing virtual WiFi Access Point.

Other with similar implementations are around. Virtual Router, Virtual Router Plus, MyPublicWiFi, My WIFI Router, Maryfi, AnalogX Proxy, WiFi Master, SDR Free Virtual Wifi Router, SeventhGate, RouterSoft, Virtual Wifi Router - MyRouter, Virtual Access Point, Hotspot Creator, MyWIFIzone ...

YOU HAVE TO BE CAREFUL. For every honest download out there, there's a similarly named download full of Viri, Trojans, Backdoors and Malware. Make sure you get the correct vendor website when searching out a solution. A fake 'version2' may be a hacker's payload.

I'd also recommend looking at dedicated WISP routers. Some offer WiFi to WiFi, or WiFi as WAN abilities, and aren't that expensive.

A device with a built-in high-gain panel antenna and two WiFi radios with WISP or AP Client + AP Router software would work quite nicely.

Posted

I know you already have this device, but given your needs and budget consider a dedicated networking device.

For similar price of your second hand xp machine you could get a decent wifi router and enhanced antenna. Add tomato or ddwrt and you will get equal results without the hassle of using windows as a router or the electric costs of a full pc

Posted

If you have Win 7/8+ machine with ONE or even TWO Network Adapters, then it's possible to use Microsoft's Virtual WiFi MiniPort implementation to share your current Net/Internet Connection and turn your PC/Laptop WiFi connection into a WiFi Access Point (Hotspot) to share that connection with others.

Unfortunately, Microsoft but didn't include management software to enable, maintain or control it.

But there ARE free and paid software out there that will.

Connectify is probably the best known of the paid app for implementing virtual WiFi Access Point.

Other with similar implementations are around. Virtual Router, Virtual Router Plus, MyPublicWiFi, My WIFI Router, Maryfi, AnalogX Proxy, WiFi Master, SDR Free Virtual Wifi Router, SeventhGate, RouterSoft, Virtual Wifi Router - MyRouter, Virtual Access Point, Hotspot Creator, MyWIFIzone ...

YOU HAVE TO BE CAREFUL. For every honest download out there, there's a similarly named download full of Viri, Trojans, Backdoors and Malware. Make sure you get the correct vendor website when searching out a solution. A fake 'version2' may be a hacker's payload.

I'd also recommend looking at dedicated WISP routers. Some offer WiFi to WiFi, or WiFi as WAN abilities, and aren't that expensive.

A device with a built-in high-gain panel antenna and two WiFi radios with WISP or AP Client + AP Router software would work quite nicely.

Thanks for the detailed info appreciated, I get it now with the two wifi adapters... I am not an IT noob, but I am a bit when it comes to hardware as things are coming out so quickly... for example the last time I played with hardware was building my own desktop`s back in the days of '486' when I was a lad using whatever second hand parts I could to make up a pc to then play games, I enjoyed watching PSU`s explode and ram frying blah blah.... these days I am just a macbook air user and although a coder by trade my hardware days are long gone and as I say new stuff is coming out so often I am completely out of the loop but I get it.

Regarding being careful I am following that too... I guess the good thing with having a cheap desktop PC as the server/hub of the house is I do not care what happens to that machine if that makes sense, and as I am on a mac which will be hooked to that network I should be fairly safe (I have anti virus/firewall on this plus mac is quite secure)... if you like the desktop server will be the hub for example if a guest comes over or my wife wants to go online they can simply HDMI onto the TV (I will get a graphics card with DVI - HDMI) leaving no one on my mac.

So it looks to me like you want to run your home network off someone else's wifi, right?

biggrin.png

No not really, just wanting to create a network for the house eventually getting said network online however I do that, as macs seem to lack certain drivers for network adapters plus I often take my mac away I am looking to build a home network windows based, sure the 15db will be long range but I would only use someones wifi connection should they allow me access... I will shortly be moving into the village in our new house and although I am not fully sure of the internet solution yet, I am getting the in-house local network sorted first then (short term) probably using 3G shared to the house then hopefully either tapping into someone elses wifi in the next village (our village has no internet cables next village does) yet it will not be a hack it will be more like can I get your password if I pay the bill % of the bill type rig... even then I am not fully sure if that's going to be possible. Hopefully my antenna will pick up true/3bb/ais wifi yet I do not know until I get it stuck high up on my roof etc. But no, although it amuses me how far this thing can go in bangkok and the amount of open networks which you can readily tap into I would never leech off someones network... obviously I would if for example McDonalds was next door! When I was a little younger, I did try to make my own antenna and although it was not very good it was better than the standard 2gb your usual rooter comes with.. bit of a geek with stuff like that.... I will say though having such a powerfull antenna even now as we are on holiday is really good for getting hotel wifi`s... for example without it my mac can barely connect to this hotels wifi yet with my external adapter/antenna is 100% signal even out on the balcony so they really are a useful tool regardless. I mean even the crappy 12db antenna I have which is quite small is great for traveling... ever been in a hotel where you can only get the internet near the door or in a certain area of the room? well this cuts all that out.

Cheers all anyway you have nudged me in the right direction

Posted

I know you already have this device, but given your needs and budget consider a dedicated networking device.

For similar price of your second hand xp machine you could get a decent wifi router and enhanced antenna. Add tomato or ddwrt and you will get equal results without the hassle of using windows as a router or the electric costs of a full pc

I do get you, yet it will be the wifes/family`s pc keeping them off my mac! heh, cheers

Posted

When I first installed Windows Home Server 5-6 years ago it was with an HP box which contained a slow CPU and minimal memory. I got tired of its pokiness and built a box with an Intel i-3 and 4 GB of ram. It's much faster. If you're thinking of using it as a server you might want a capable machine with 2-4 TB hard drives, especially if you're thinking of running it 24/7. You'll regret it if you use old, slow equipment. Building a capable server is cheap these days. MB, memory, case, power suply and two economical HDD such WD green models. Should be able to do it under $500. You do want it to last and be trouble-free don't you? Refer to Maximum PC online for instructions regarding building cheap machines.

Posted (edited)

I'm totally lost!!! 55555

Why are we talking about a Windows box instead of a router? What is there in LOS that won't allow a router?

YES Windows can act as a router natively and has been able to since Windows 98SE. Look for Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) which a quick Google says still exists in Win 8. That has the whole deal including DHCP and all. There is a limit to how many nodes it can support and I can't remember. We didn't own a router at home in 1998+ so we used ICS on one box only and it was connected to the dial up modem 555. It was all wired through a switch - all Ethernet at the time.

It takes two NICs in the box to do that IIRC - one in and one out. One or both can now be wireless.

I think the big deal about the SE in 98SE (Second Edition) was that it had ICS. Shoot me if I'm wrong... smile.png

A dedicated router is always so much easier and more stable than other workarounds so what am I missing here? I want a good WiFi router and I'm golden.

Cheers? ?? LOL.

(I know I just made a stupid post, having missed the real point, 555.) But... ???? smile.pngtongue.pngcheesy.gif

Cheers.

Edited by NeverSure
Posted (edited)

Sounds like the OP is wanting WiFi as WAN (WAW). coffee1.gif

WiFi as WAN has become a "hot" feature lately, and it's available on many routers and wireless bridges. It's a very useful feature, but many users aren't familiar with what it is or if they need it.

Simply put, WiFi as WAN (WAW) means that the router or bridge can pick up the WiFi signal from an external source* (for example, campground WiFi at an RV park, free WiFi at McDonald's, or even the hotspot feature from a smartphone like the iPhone or Android Phone) and create a new secure, private network from it. In other words, the router or bridge is using the external WiFi network as the internet source instead of utilizing a wired connection like cable or DSL or a cellular connection like a 3G or 4G USB modem.

Read more...

As I said earlier, the OP came up with a crazy idea using an old desktop PC running Windows XP! cheesy.gif

It can be done easily with routers that support WAW. It would be cheaper, faster, more efficient and more secure than using an old desktop PC running Windows XP and it already exists! thumbsup.gif

All I can say is another dumb Apple fan! whistling.gif

Edited by BB1950
Posted

yes agree with BB 1950 I have Belkin router and any device weather it be a mobile or a Samsung pad , that's needed a internet connection thru WiFi I just add the password to it and that's it thumbsup.gif

Posted

Okay question from OP is can I use a Windows XP (not supported by MS anymore against threads by the way) as a router.

Many good advices from the forum members but the decision has been made before the question...

So you want free Wifi access someone asked? You just could answered 'no' but your answer is like a trapped guy who was cheating 555.

And sorry to say but if you're stating you're not an it n00b but you want to deploy a Windows XP machine as a router and think your Mac Book is safe anyway...

Posted

If your are thinking of an old PC, anything less than Windows 7 will be suicide - XP and lower are out of update and may be an hole open for hackers; and Windows Vista your'll regeret many times. Win 7 and Win 8 are eligible for free Win 10.

Posted

cheesy.gif What makes you think an old Windows XP desktop PC would be good for a networking hub? It's ancient technology! whistling.gif

Again, with your crazy ideas! cheesy.gif

Actually, it's a perfect choice. Cheap, plenty of power (a router uses very few resources), and ICS (Internet Connection Sharing) is easy to set up in XP. I used a wimpy XP netbook to do the same thing and it worked great. Used Ethernet for the WAN side, and the built-in WiFi for access for my cellphone, two tablets, wife's laptop, etc.

Go for it.

Posted (edited)

I think something like this would be ideal http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/JUSTOP-G-PC-Mini-Desktop-PC-Windows-8-1-Intel-Quad-Core-1-82Ghz-32GB-HDMI-HD-10-/400935451219?hash=item5d599d7a53

I am just after a media centre/central pc for the wife etc plus to use as a network point, security is not an issue on my mac machine

All I can say is another dumb Apple fan! whistling.gif

Thanks but that is not the case, I prefer mac over windows for work reasons back in the UK (terminal + SSH), photoshop runs nicer on a mac handling large PSD files, also prefer mac os for developing and managing web servers. Not a big fan of apples at all aside from laptops... macs have also proven not great for external USB devices/drivers otherwise I would probably not be looking at a windows media center/family pc.

Anyway when did the apple hate really kick in for you? what caused it? wai2.gif

Edited by ryanhull
Posted

Don't do that! Allowing an XP PC onto you network is inviting infections across the other workstations as this O.S is very vulnerable to viruses.

I use one everyday. No viruses have ever been encountered.

Posted (edited)

All I can say is another dumb Apple fan! whistling.gif

Anyway when did the apple hate really kick in for you? what caused it? wai2.gif

Getting a bit personal... but I don't mind. I'm not ashamed.

Back in the late 1970's beginning with the Apple II. My brother-in-law was a dumb Apple fan and so is my sister. My sister insisted on all in the family to use expensive Apple crap. I tried to be tolerant, but it became impossible. Many family disagreements developed over it. I still can't get her to install Skype. It would be nice so that I could communicate by Video to my mom in the US.

Anyway, it doesn't matter. As another member pointed out, you seemed to have made your decision before you started this thread. What's the point?

No one is going to change your decision and I'm not going to bother. I just think it's crazy. That's all.

Edited by BB1950
Posted

Simply put, WiFi as WAN (WAW) means that the router or bridge can pick up the WiFi signal from an external source* (for example, campground WiFi at an RV park, free WiFi at McDonald's, or even the hotspot feature from a smartphone like the iPhone or Android Phone) and create a new secure, private network from it. In other words, the router or bridge is using the external WiFi network as the internet source instead of utilizing a wired connection like cable or DSL or a cellular connection like a 3G or 4G USB modem.

I'm still lost. Why are we talking about a computer instead of a router in bridge mode or?? ???

If he's going to create a wireless WAN via incoming wireless with a computer I believe he'll need two wireless NICs in the box. In the old days we were going from a wired-to-the-computer internet connection to a wired switch and all Ethernet. This could be wireless in and wireless out or any combination of wired and wireless. We were using ICS natively with two NICs - one in and one out.

??? LOL. smile.png

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