Ok heres a question I have a home network which is connected via a router. Everything works fine but im going to be purchasing a laptop very soon what hardware will i need to connect my laptop to the network so it can recieve internet access from anywhere in the house and transfer files to the other PC's

if you have a router, what you need is NIC; if you don't have a router, you may want to buy a router or setup MS ICS. For more tips or information, go to http://www.ms-mvps.com Robert, MS-MVP, MCSE and CNE Networking, Internet, routing & VPN Support, Tips and FAQs on http://www.ms-mvps.com

First you want to get a Laptop with a built in wi-fi adapter. While a 802.11b will do, you would be better off getting one with an 802.11g wi-fi adapter built in. Make sure it has a built in ethernet port also as you may want to connect it up to the wired network for testing and when using it at other locations. Next you will need an access point. If your current router does not have one, the best way to go would be to just buy a new router with a built in wi-fi access point. This will then give you to choices. 1) Just replace the existing router with the new router with access point and set it up. or 2) run an ethernet cable to a better location in the house for operating an access point and place the new router there and disable its NAT/DHCP functions so it is just a switch and access point. The problem is, a plain access point to connect your laptop to the network with wi-fi costs as much or more than a router with wi-fi. You can always use the old router as a switch or backup spare.