I'm not an expert on wireless networking so I figured I'd ask ahead of time.

I'm switching from MCI to SBC/Yahoo DSL, and the MCI signal is already cut. The SBC/Yahoo signal is supposed to go live on Thursday.

Is there anything I should be prepping ahead of time?

I got the SBC starter kit in the mail today with the modem and installation software (which I probably won't be installing as I've heard bad things about SBC/Yahoo bloated software).

I'm anticipating that on Thursday the SBC/Yahoo signal will activate, my current Cisco modem (I'm not using the speedstream modem SBC sent me) will get the signal, send it to my wireless router, and my 2 desktops will detect the signal.

Then all I need to do is connect to 192.168.x.x and setup WEP, SSID broadcasting, and MAC filtering.

Is all of this right and am I missing anything?

TIA!

I'm interested in any pointers people have too. I just signed up for SBC DSL and have been on dial-up up until now. I too would prefer not to install the included software if there is an easy alternative. Thanks!

Go sign up over at Broadband Report.com and look under the forum link for your SBC Telco. probably someone has ask about your concerns and it has been answered more than once. Also SBC techs are members and will even work with you by PM, if necessary. The site even provide testing, both free and cheap, to help you tweak your DSL and keep on top of your service.

Yes, keep the Yahoo crap off your system.

Thanks kas. I'll give that a shot this weekend.

Thanks a ton Kar, didn't even know about that.

Well, 8 hours later, I'm really hating Windows 2000.

The Speedstream modem + Netgear router mr814v2 + 128 WEP = works fine on my XP desktop.

But my Windows 2000 desktop refuses to work with teh 128 WEP. If I have the network open and unsecured, it's happy but once I try to set 128 WEP encryption, even if I have the Windows 2000 system supply the WEP key, it won't take.

I'm going to eat some ice cream now =(.

*edit*

ugh, finally, it decided to work after I left it alone for a while.

Do NOT install any of their software. It's a pain to set everything right again if you do. It will replace your Internet Explorer and Outlook Express with Yahoo branded ones and will install all kinds of un-needed bloatware. We ended up having to reformat one of Dad's machines just to get it all off.