There's another option - instead of wireless you can run a network over your house's power lines. (This is not broadband over the power company lines, it's just a way to connect machines inside your house.) Basically, you plug a connection from your router into one box, then connect each of your computers to another box that plugs into a standard wall outlet. It's inexpensive - and it works. (I've seen it in a situation similar to yours; a house where wireless had very little range.) Here's a link to one brand of equipment, but there are others besides linksys: http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=linksys+powerline > MANY THANKS and some more information for EVERYONE who answered the > original > post with great questions. Here are some more answers: > > > I'm running Mac OS10. > > The modem is attached to my old Mac running OS9. The Airport > Extreme base > station is nearby. > > If we continue the same configuration, the ethernet cable would > have to run > under the floor the length of the house, aprox 20 feet. > > I want to get a router that is hardwired. > > Our house was built in 1927. There is plaster over early > plasterboard. > We've done renovations and did not discover any wire mesh > underneath the > plaster. > > There is a microwave tower up the hill within a block. UMASS > surrounds us. > 10,000 students with personal computers and cell phones. 1000 > offices with > intranet, internet. It is easy to see the UMASS signal if you cross > the > street. My airport system is password protected. There are sure to be > hackers around, but why would they need it. > > Yes, as I've experienced 3 times - one certainly will not know if > wireless > works unless it works. > > I'm trying to think ahead for future need. Sometimes it is cheaper > to get > everything done with one visit than with several. When I find a > technician, > I will want someone who will quote this job, additional > connections of > other rooms, and a package deal. Then, I'll have to weigh what I > can afford > with what I may need later. > > Can someone answer this newbie question: Electrical wall outlets > connect > one electrical line with wall outlets with multiple sockets for > plugging > multiple appliances. Do similar wall outlets exist for ethernet? > > People get around not having enough or inconvenient sockets, by using, > extension cords, cubes and power bars etc. Does that work with > ethernet? > > > > Earlier Robin wrote to hidden tech lists: > >> I have the house from hell. I've had 2 >> different wireless routers and a wireless base >> station, password protection and senior tech >> support. Nothing is ever wrong with the >> routers or the base station. Something in or >> around my house is preventing them from working >> properly. I'm done. >> >> Can anyone recommend a technician who will take >> a small hard wiring job for ethernet connection?