Hi im new to this forum and I dont really know my way around much but i'll learn. Anyways I really need help getting my wii online with a wireless router (which i dont have a clue about). I havent actually played my wii yet, because its a present for me - but i want to know how to get it online, im worried my modem might be a problem its a Motorola SB5101E Surfboard, i dont have a router. I need help with what to buy and how to connect it. Any help will be greatly appreciated, thanks J.

Hi and welcome to PCHF

As the Surboard is only a cable modem, you're either going to have to dis-connect the ethernet cable from your PC and plug it into the Wii OR buy a wireless router (router only - NOT router + ADSL modem) - then configure the Wii for wireless access.

I use a wireless router for my Wii's connection. The Wii doesn't have a built-in ethernet port and did not yet have the propitary Wii LAN adapter available when I purchased mine much earlier this year.

I believe the Wii LAN adapter is either just out now for purchase or is available for preorder. There is a catch though - it sounds as though Wii LAN Adapters are only available from Nintendo.

See below:

| Nintendo - Customer Service | Wii - Wired Connections
Purchasing the Wii LAN Adapter

The Wii LAN Adapter is available only through Nintendo.


Residents of the U.S. and Canada can purchase the Wii LAN Adapter from:

• Nintendo's Online Store - you can use a Visa or MasterCard, or print out a mail-in form and send in a check or money order. Click here to proceed.
• Call our Consumer Service Department at 1-800-255-3700 to order over the phone with a Visa or MasterCard.

If you live outside of the U.S. and Canada, please consult your local or online retail stores for information on ordering the Wii LAN Adapter.

thanks for replies. so i need to purchase
1) wireless router (not adsl) and configure to my pc
2) wii lan adapter

am i correct, and if i purchase the wireless router will i need to disconnect my modem.?

thanks. J

The Wii LAN adapter is NOT necessary if you choose to go Wireless. The LAN Adapter provides the possibility of a WIRED connection to a router.

No, you will NOT disconnect your DSL modem. The modem is assigned a unique "Public" IP address by your DSL company. The routers purpose is to provide a unique "Private" or internal IP to each connected device in your home. These internal IP addresses are how the router gets the right internet info back to the requesting machine. Example - You might setup 2 computers & the Wii on the router. Each system would get a unique IP address (something like 192.168.1.1, 192.168.1.2, and 192.168.1.3). All internet information comes and goes out the Public IP address on the Modem, but once received by the modem is "routed" (hence the need for a router) to the correct home machine using the Internal IP address.

ahh ok i think i understand now, so i buy a wireless router which is compatible with my wii, and connect it to my pc. Is there anything else i need to buy.?



thanks J.

The connection will actually be Modem -> Router -> home systems (either wired or wireless - most wireless routers offer both connection types)

The router should come with a short ethernet cable to connect the router to your modem. You can reuse the ethernet cable currently going from the modem to PC for Router to PC. If you would choose to move the PC from wired to wireless, you would need to purchase a Wireless adapter for the PC.

Linksys and Netgear routers seem to be the most popular routers in use by PCHF tech staff. Both vendors are reputable and offer wireless routers that are fairly inexpensive. Keep in mind, you don't need a lot of "bells & whistles" - approximately $50 American (sorry, don't know the conversion) should get you a nice router.

I've got a Linksys WRT54G that I use with 3 home computers (all wireless) and my Wii.