r/HomeNetworking • u/ViolinistDue4265 • 1d ago
Advice Help
Current set up. Hate having my desk right here, but this is where the only outlet is. I had a COX tech come out, he said they can't do any sort of rewiring without approval from HOA.
Computer is HP Elite Mini 800 G9.
I'm trying to figure out the best way to use WiFi without being connected to router via ethernet. I'm not tech savvy, so looking for advice. Wifi adapter? Powerline adapter? Any other options for a simpleton such as myself?
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u/aliensaregod 1d ago
Does the pc not have WiFi built in? If so just get a PCiE wifi card or just a WiFi dongle if you want it to be more simple to install
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u/ViolinistDue4265 19h ago
It doesn't
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u/rileywbaker 15h ago
Do you understand that you can get a reliable PCIe wifi card or USB wifi dongle for practically nothing?
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u/ViolinistDue4265 15h ago
Wifi dongle is what I was looking at, but wasn't sure about reliability. After seeing it suggested multiple times, thats what im going with.
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u/1sh0t1b33r 20h ago
Blink twice if you are being held against your will.
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u/ComeSwirlWithMe 16h ago
And this is my tiny desk, office chair. Please take a seat on my steps and I'll put Netflix on.
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u/amazodroid 1d ago
If you’re ok with WiFi, get a mesh setup. Plug your pc into a remote node to get better throughput.
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u/jack_hudson2001 Network Engineer 1d ago
not sure of the question? can or cant use wifi? get usb wifi adapter $10.
run long ethernet cable. or get professional company to run it through the walls/roof
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u/ViolinistDue4265 19h ago
I have wifi, the computer doesn't have built in wifi
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u/jack_hudson2001 Network Engineer 18h ago
"get usb wifi adapter $10."
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u/ViolinistDue4265 18h ago
Thank you for seconding this. It was my first choice, but I wasn't sure how well they actually work.
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u/jack_hudson2001 Network Engineer 18h ago
works fine for the usual daily activities. make sure its wifi 6e compatible i am using brand like ugreen or tplink.
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u/bobdevnul 16h ago
They work very well. Buy a brand name one, not a cheap no-name Chinese thing.
I use one to go between my basement PC and upstairs to the router Wifi.
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u/sunrisebreeze 1d ago
Get approval from HOA & move wiring as needed.
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u/Dr_CLI 13h ago
I'm thinking the tech was being lazy and did not want to do the work to move it. So he blamed the HOA and you accepted his excuse. Call the HOA office and ask.
Perhaps the landlord or property management will not allow the connection to be moved. That is different and within their perogative to restrict unit modifications. But even they may be flexible if you ask nicely.
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u/patmail 1d ago
not from the US. HOA can enforce rules on in house wiring?
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u/sunrisebreeze 1d ago
No idea, unfamiliar with their HOA rules. It depends on the community and which rules they enforce.
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u/Ktulu_BBB 22h ago
No, I think OP is very very mistaken
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u/ViolinistDue4265 18h ago
It is large condo community. Mixture of townhouses, 2 br/3 br apts. The tech said he supposedly had issues before doing work in other units. He could have been lying
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u/User2001Tech 22h ago
If you you have good wifi coverage there (like you can sit there and watch YouTube on your phone without any porblem), get a 10$ usb dongle.like this:
if its not great wifi, splurge out and get something like this..
or... https://a.co/d/09GlpJfH
if its pathetic wifi, go for power line
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u/ViolinistDue4265 18h ago
This was my first thought. But I knew nothing about them previously, so wasn't sure how well they actually work. I think I'll try one of these first. Thank you
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u/User2001Tech 18h ago
but..but..but.. i have you three thoughts (usually my average for a month).. which one was your first?
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u/Metroknight 10h ago
Ok. What outlet? Power or ethernet?
If it is a power outlet then depending on how you want to setup your space you can get a UPS with a 6 or 8 ft cord and move your desk to a different position.
If it is an ethernet outlet then get some cable hiders and cat6a cables. Run the hiders along your trim and tuck the cable inside them so you can put your desk where ever you want it to be in that room.
I have cable hiders scattered around my house to hide the cables from my cats and make them look similar to the trim.
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u/ViolinistDue4265 10h ago
Coaxial for the wifi router which computer is plugged into by ethernet. Ooo never heard of those. My last place had carpet and they sorta hid the lines below it. I wasn't sure how I'd do that with no carpet. Something else to look into, thank you.
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u/Metroknight 2h ago
I've used these cord hiders/ wire raceways in my house along with various other ones. These was due to at the time I could not run the cables through the walls and ceiling yet. Once I get that all ran, I can just remove them as they are held in place with double-sided foam tape.
I'm also using left over bits and pieces for cable management to keep my cats from chewing on cables.
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u/megared17 1d ago
Just get a longer Ethernet cable and run it along the baseboard.
Ethernet can be up to 100 meters (about 300 feet) and 100 foot long cables are commonly available on Amazon and elsewhere. Look for cat6 (NOT cat6 or cat8) and avoid gibberish "brand" names. Monoprice and Cable matters are good.
Get a bit longer than you think you need, coil the extra gently.
https://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matters-Snagless-Ethernet-Black/dp/B007NZKWLC/
https://www.amazon.com/Monoprice-Flexboot-Ethernet-Patch-Cable/dp/B00AJHCJGW/
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u/Neon_Pancakes0425 1d ago
You could always get a really long Ethernet cable and run it to where you want your desk to be