Is Wi-Fi dependable enough for long upgrades

travatanman · 01-16-2005

Is a Wi-Fi signal dependable enough to use to upgrade my laptop with the XP SP2 upgrade or should I connect via a cable to do this? The only reason I ask is that Dlink recommends any firmware upgrades to their routers be done only with a wired connection in case of a lost signal. However, I suspect Windows upgrades have some type of error checking built in that the firmware upgrade doesn't.
DrG

streaker69 · 01-16-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by travatanman

Is a Wi-Fi signal dependable enough to use to upgrade my laptop with the XP SP2 upgrade or should I connect via a cable to do this? The only reason I ask is that Dlink recommends any firmware upgrades to their routers be done only with a wired connection in case of a lost signal. However, I suspect Windows upgrades have some type of error checking built in that the firmware upgrade doesn't.
DrG

I've done it already. Mine may be reliable enough. Don't know about yours. To be sure, you could disable any 2.4ghz phones and unplug your MW.

Thorn · 01-16-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by travatanman

Is a Wi-Fi signal dependable enough to use to upgrade my laptop with the XP SP2 upgrade or should I connect via a cable to do this? The only reason I ask is that Dlink recommends any firmware upgrades to their routers be done only with a wired connection in case of a lost signal. However, I suspect Windows upgrades have some type of error checking built in that the firmware upgrade doesn't.
DrG

IT should be OK, although it may be very slow in comparison to the wire if there is any interference.

The caution against doing the upgrade on the router is that if it looses the signal, then the firmware may not get completely burned and you end up with a brick. It's a brick with an antenna on it, but a brick nonetheless.

streaker69 · 01-16-2005

Did you know that Linksys will replace said bricks if they're still under factory warranty?

The Others · 01-16-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by streaker69

Did you know that Linksys will replace said bricks if they're still under factory warranty?

Loading a third party firmware voids said warranty. I doubt, however, that they'll do much checking. Not before you get you money, anyway.

wrzwaldo · 01-16-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by travatanman

Is a Wi-Fi signal dependable enough to use to upgrade my laptop with the XP SP2 upgrade or should I connect via a cable to do this? The only reason I ask is that Dlink recommends any firmware upgrades to their routers be done only with a wired connection in case of a lost signal. However, I suspect Windows upgrades have some type of error checking built in that the firmware upgrade doesn't.
DrG

XP SP2 is not a firmware upgrade. It is a patch to the OS on your laptop.

travatanman · 01-16-2005

Thanks guys. If it's faster to dl the upgrade on a wired link, I'll just do that as it is very easy to do with my setup.
I would like your opinions on one more topic. With the firewall built into my router, do I need to run the XP firewall also? If your answer is part of something I need to read, kindly refer me off to the source and I'll read it. Thanks again.
DrG

The Others · 01-16-2005

Remember, the speed of wireless or wired is only an issue if it is the slowest link in the chain. For example, if downloading SP2 from the internet, wired/wireless only becomes an issue if your internet connection is quicker than 54 megs a second.

As for firewalls, you should still use the XP one, or preferably, one from a third part, such as www.zonelabs.com

beakmyn · 01-16-2005

I used Sygate Personal Firewall (FREE) on my home machines, it works well.

travatanman · 01-16-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Others

Remember, the speed of wireless or wired is only an issue if it is the slowest link in the chain. For example, if downloading SP2 from the internet, wired/wireless only becomes an issue if your internet connection is quicker than 54 megs a second.

Crap, never even thought about that. Yeah, I'm on cable and I should be getting much faster dl's on a wired connect than my wireless. My router is an 802.11b router so even with my Dlink Extreme G adaptor, I only run at 11 Mbps. I forget that when on things like this forum or the email stuff due they aren't graphic intensive. I'm sure the wired connect would be much faster for a long dl. Thanks for the reminder.

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Others

As for firewalls, you should still use the XP one, or preferably, one from a third part, such as www.zonelabs.com

So I should be using the software firewall AND the routers firewall??

Quote:

Originally Posted by beakmyn

I used Sygate Personal Firewall (FREE) on my home machines, it works well.

I've read good things about that one and Zone Alarm that The Others mentioned too. And you use that in addition to the routers firewall??
DrG

sparafina · 01-17-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by travatanman

Crap, never even thought about that. Yeah, I'm on cable and I should be getting much faster dl's on a wired connect than my wireless. My router is an 802.11b router so even with my Dlink Extreme G adaptor, I only run at 11 Mbps. I forget that when on things like this forum or the email stuff due they aren't graphic intensive. I'm sure the wired connect would be much faster for a long dl. Thanks for the reminder.

As Bill Murray once said, "It just doesn't matter!. It just doesn't matter!. It just doesn't matter!. It just doesn't matter!. It just doesn't matter!. It just doesn't matter!.It just doesn't matter!.It just doesn't matter!.It just doesn't matter!. It just doesn't matter!. It just doesn't matter!. It just doesn't matter!. It just doesn't matter!. It just doesn't matter!. It just doesn't matter!. It just doesn't matter!.It just doesn't matter!.It just doesn't matter!.It just doesn't matter!. It just doesn't matter!.It just doesn't matter!."

At best, you will probably get 1.3 mbs from cable, not mention the speed of the server you are downloading from, so wired or unwired speed of download is moot.

The Others · 01-17-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by travatanman

I've read good things about that one and Zone Alarm that The Others mentioned too. And you use that in addition to the routers firewall??
DrG

I suggest using zonealarm simply because it controls trafic leaving your computer. This is vital in today's spyware, addware, trojan, phone home world. It's also just good practice.

And yeah, check sparafina's post above. That was the point I was trying to get at. I should have phrased my original post something like "your internet isn't quicker than 54 mb/s, so it doesn't matter".

wrzwaldo · 01-17-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by travatanman

...

I've read good things about that one and Zone Alarm that The Others mentioned too. And you use that in addition to the routers firewall??
DrG

If you have a couple of spare NIC's and an old PC not doing anything give smoothwall express a spin. I also recommend Zone Alarm (I use it on the wife and kids spyware magnets).

travatanman · 01-17-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Others

And yeah, check sparafina's post above. That was the point I was trying to get at. I should have phrased my original post something like "your internet isn't quicker than 54 mb/s, so it doesn't matter".

Yeah, I got stupid for a while. I wasn't thinking in Mbs but in Kbs since www.pcpitstop.com download speed test is in Kbs. I need to go remind myself of the factor between Mbs and Kbs. I've got the point now, just didn't do the math. That'll get me in trouble with Thorn.
DrG

renderman · 01-17-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by streaker69

Did you know that Linksys will replace said bricks if they're still under factory warranty?

That's actually a hit or miss thing. Sometimes they check, other times they don't. However, if it's a brick, there's not much to lose sending it in now is there?

01-16-2005	#1 (permalink)
travatanman Learning what I can Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: West Texas Posts: 38	Is Wi-Fi dependable enough for long upgrades Is a Wi-Fi signal dependable enough to use to upgrade my laptop with the XP SP2 upgrade or should I connect via a cable to do this? The only reason I ask is that Dlink recommends any firmware upgrades to their routers be done only with a wired connection in case of a lost signal. However, I suspect Windows upgrades have some type of error checking built in that the firmware upgrade doesn't. DrG

01-16-2005	#4 (permalink)
streaker69 Psychic Amish Stumbler Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Virginville, BlueBall, Bird In Hand, Intercourse, Paradise, PA Posts: 11,798	Did you know that Linksys will replace said bricks if they're still under factory warranty? __________________ "One of these days, I'm going to cut you to pieces." If you're offended by this post, please feel free to report it to one of the many helpful moderators of this forum. Thank you.

01-16-2005	#7 (permalink)
travatanman Learning what I can Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: West Texas Posts: 38	Thanks guys. If it's faster to dl the upgrade on a wired link, I'll just do that as it is very easy to do with my setup. I would like your opinions on one more topic. With the firewall built into my router, do I need to run the XP firewall also? If your answer is part of something I need to read, kindly refer me off to the source and I'll read it. Thanks again. DrG __________________ Call me what you want, just don't forget to call me for dinner! Last edited by travatanman : 01-16-2005 at 04:47 PM.

01-16-2005	#8 (permalink)
The Others PeaceDriver Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Dos Palabras, Mandoras Posts: 2,920	Remember, the speed of wireless or wired is only an issue if it is the slowest link in the chain. For example, if downloading SP2 from the internet, wired/wireless only becomes an issue if your internet connection is quicker than 54 megs a second. As for firewalls, you should still use the XP one, or preferably, one from a third part, such as www.zonelabs.com __________________ all good ends all ?u=273

01-16-2005	#9 (permalink)
beakmyn root\.workspace\.garbage. Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 4,796	I used Sygate Personal Firewall (FREE) on my home machines, it works well. __________________ Daughter with arms inside shirt: "Daddy I'm not Armish" ┌──────────────────────────────┐ ╞ NS Icons Explained\|et hoc genus omne ╡ └──────────────────────────────┘

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