Can a Windows XP desktop be made into a WiFi hotspot?

Question

So while doing this assignment i encountered a problem where i tried to save some set of values(float) in an Array so that i can use them later on producing a graph, but the problem which i face here is that i read the values and i can print them but later which i checked the array the numbers which were stored there were not the same.

Im trying to save in in avg[].

#include<stdio.h>
#include<stdlib.h>
#include<string.h>


float maximum(float array[])
{
float max=0;
for(int i=0;i<100;i++)
{
    if (array[i]>max)
        max=array[i];
}
return max;
}

float minimum(float array[])
{
float min=0;
for(int i=0;i<100;i++)
{
    if (array[i]<min)
        min=array[i];
}
return min;
}





char * read(char *filename)    
 {
FILE * sample;
sample = fopen(filename,"r");  //like file open in notepad  ,which file? and    what to do?
int count = 0;
static char singleline[100];  
int cnt = 0;
int sum = 0;
int oldyear = -1;
float avg[82];

while(!feof(sample))    //read that until end.
{
    count++;            
    fgets(singleline,150,sample);

    if (count>21 && singleline[33]!='9') 

    {               
        char y[5], t[6];
        for (int i = 14; i < 18; i++)
        {
            y[i - 14] = singleline[i];
        }
        y[4]='\0';
        for (int i= 24;i <29;i++)
        {
            t[i-24]=singleline[i];
        }

        t[5]='\0';
        int year = atoi(y);
        int temp = atoi(t);
        //printf("year : %i ,temp: %i\n",year, temp);

        if (year == oldyear)
        {
            cnt++;
            sum += temp;
        }
        else 
        {   
            int l=0;
            l++;
            avg[l] = 0.1 * sum / cnt;
            if (cnt != 0) 
            {       
                printf("Fuer %i - %i Werte - Durchschnitt %.2f °C\n", oldyear, cnt, avg[l]);
                cnt = 1;
                sum = temp;
                //save[l]=avg;
            }
            oldyear = year;     
        }

    }

}               
            float last = 0.1 * sum / cnt;
            printf("Fuer %i - %i Werte - Durchschnitt %.2f °C\n", oldyear, cnt-1, last);
            fclose(sample);
            //for(int i=0;i<)


for(int i=0;i<125;i++)
{
 printf("%f\n",avg[i]);
}       
printf("\nMax Temp= %f",maximum(avg));
printf("\nMax Temp= %f",minimum(avg));
return singleline;

 }


 int main()
 {  

char * file1 = "TG_STAID000476.txt";
read(file1);

//char * file2 = "TG_STAID000179.txt";
//read(file2);


return 0;
}

So yea, the problem was to read the year and the corresponding values and form an Average value for that particular year and then represent it in a graph.

I can do the first part where it takes the Average, but when i tried using it later,it had wrong values stored in it, you can see that where i tried to print all the values of avg[], can anyne please help me figure out how to correct the mistake, i want them to be saved as float.

The assignment datasheet is here. https://www.scribd.com/document/333844245/TG-STAID000179

I tried reading the values and used atoi to save them, and then used them to get the Average, i used Count>21 because the text before them are not required and when it reads a '9' on 34th column,it ignores since its not a valid data(in data sheet)

Solution

Not in the way you would like.

Yes, you can make the Windows XP computer stand out as an Ad-Hoc wireless access point, but it won't be a hotspot. However, the computer would need to be left on all the time.

Now... I want you to really, really think about this. Are you saying that this option is better than purchasing a $30 wireless router you can put next to that Windows XP computer?

Think about it. Wireless router. Typically uses a 12DC adapter drawing 1 amp. So... that's 12 watts. The Windows XP desktop? The power supply alone is most likely drawing 300 or more watts. So, right there, running the Wireless Router is cheaper than leaving the Windows computer on all the time.

Now, since you want to make the XP box a wireless hotspot, you most likely have it connected to the DSL modem via an ethernet cable. Ok. You just need to connect the Wireless Router to the same ethernet cable. No, you don't connect it to the Internet port on the router. You connect the ethernet cable to one of the regular ports. You then set the router to be just an "Access Point". I've got an inexpensive Belkin 54g router sitting here, where you simply "enable" the access point feature, and give it an IP address that you want it to use on your network. It will then take whatever internet signal is available on the network it is connected to, and rebroadcast it over the wireless.

Of course, I'm certain there are details you have left out, certain factors that will give you reason to argue against this simple and time-tested solution... and I'm certain that you will provide those details AFTER I have posted this answer. However, this is still the best solution. Ethernet cable from the modem to the router, and the router in the room where you need the wireless internet access.

Comments

[Thalys]

Some adaptors come with software that lets you run a desktop or laptop as an access point - I had a ralink based edimax that worked pretty well for that.

[Dr.Haimovitz]

If the result is on avg why did you return singleLine?

[Aravind Mariappan]

Well actually this function doesnt returns anything i think,at first when i used the method to read complete line and print it i used that return singleline, but later i realised i didnt need it,and i actually figured out where the mistake was, i assigned l=0 inside the loop where it resets the value :D, but now i dont knw how to leave the rest of the array values to null.

[Jonathan Leffler]

while (!feof(file)) is always wrong. You need to check the return value from fgets() to tell whether it encountered EOF before using the 'line' that it read.

[Jonathan Leffler]

Welcome to Stack Overflow. Please read the About and How to Ask pages soon. More urgently, please produce an MCVE (minimal reproducible example). There's no clear evidence of where the data is being printed before and after and the values change. Please include a minimal data set that reproduces the problem. Show the correct output. If "it is different" is all that matters, then it may be sufficient to show what you should be getting twice. One likely cause of trouble is trying to access an array after it has gone out of scope. I'm not sure where you're storing the values, though.

[BLUEPIXY]

fgets(singleline,150,sample); --> fgets(singleline,100,sample);

[BLUEPIXY]

for(int i=0;i<125;i++) { printf("%f\n",avg[i]); but float avg[82]; 125 <-> 82

[phuclv]

Only vista an above can act as a hotspot, windows XP can only create adhoc connections

[Jet]

Good info for new users, but not answer.

[o0'.]

@Jet sure it's an answer, since the question might be wrong (i.e. x/y problem). If that's not the case, the OP might amend his post.