I am getting broadband, but need on more than one computer, what to do??

[me1000uk]

Hi,

I'm getting broadband installed for the home computer (Pipex, comes with free modem etc i think). The problem is that I have no idea what to do to get it on more than one computer, as I have a laptop in my room I wish to also use.

The engineers will come and install it in one computer. Do I tell them anything, or do I do my own thing, and do it myself?

do I need any specific software?/

both computers will be running windows xp and are high spec.

What is the simplest way to achieve this for a layman.

many thanks

ME1000UK

[Elaine]

Well, the cheapest way is to put two network interface cards in your desktop yourself, with one going to the modem and the other going to your laptop. Then install ICS on both your desktop and laptop. However the desktop has to be online for the laptop to access the internet. As routers are very cheap nowadays, it'd be easier to connect them that way. I'm going to move this to the Networking forum for you now.

[TierraDelFuego]

firstly, i won't bother telling them, there is no point.

secondly agree with Laney, it is way way better and easier to use a router rather than going the ICS route.

a router with builtin modem would cost ya about £50 or so, but they are well worth it. Builtin firewall, NAT translation etc.

[me1000uk]

@elaine, thanks for moving the topic.

thanks guys for responses.


so basically I would need a router with built in modem.

I imagine the broadband people will install the thing going direct to the desktop.

Where would the laptop router/modem thing fit in, and what exactly would I need to do?? Which ports etc.

what I am looking for is what to do to the installed system, so it would work on my computer, and anything I will need.

Any recommendations of budget decent equipment (UK) would be fantastic too.

Appreciate your help guys, thanks

me1000uk

[TierraDelFuego]

ok the engineers should install a line from the filter to the modem which then, via usb, plugs into your computer.

you will need to buy the router and any network cards/cable for the PC/Lappy. then unplug the wire from the modem and unplug the modem from the PC, put the modem back in the box in a safe place, as BT/Pipex may want it back in the future. then plug the wire into the router and connect the router into the Network card on your PC & Lappy and all will be ok. There should be nothing else for you to do unless....

you want to run servers on your PC. let me know if you do and i'll explain further.

with regards to hardware

something like the following would be good

http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?rb=651886768&action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=55418

although ebuyer themselves do a cheaper version

http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?rb=651896182&action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=48449

[me1000uk]

hi,

thanks for the response mate. I have just ordered the pipex extreme package.

it comes with a modem and 2 microfilters.

1)is it worth mentioning to the installer to install it using the router/modem rather than his own one, or is it too much hassle, and I'm better off doing it myself in this case because it is easy.

2) Also, once I replace their modem with the one I purchase, and link it to the two computers, should there be any difficulties with the software etc? I am running xp.

finally, I assume I'll need an extra cable to link it to the laptop as well. what is the cable called? (Are there different types)

thanks alot. u've been a great help

[TierraDelFuego]

1) as said earlier don't even tell them, there's no point, and they wouldn't touch any other hardware anyway. plus you just plug it in, that's it.
2) as said earlier plug it in, maybe run through the setup if required, it will work unless you want to run a local server on one PC.

cable for the lappy depends on what connection it has to a lan, it may have a lan adapter built in or not. you will either need just some normal patch rj45 cable or a pcmcia lan card depending.

[me1000uk]

thanks, you've been a great help. will come back to say how it went when they install it in a few days.

both comps have network cards in them, so i will need some "patch rj45 cable" for them. I am assuming that I will need to buy that cable for both comps, as what they will install using their modem is usb.

also, you mentioned that i should retain the modem. is it worth ebaying it or something, or is it definite that they would ask for the thing back?

thanks mate

me1000uk

[Elaine]

You must keep the modem, as I'm certain they will ask for it back. And if they don't receive it, I'm sure that they'll charge you some astronomical price for it.

[TierraDelFuego]

i'll be honest and say I never gave mine back, but as Laney says, they will charge you big time if they do and you don't have it.

yes you will need rj45 for both PC's, having unplugged the USB, should only cost you a few quid though

[me1000uk]

cool, thanks guys, will post further when the time comes.

I really appreciate it.

[me1000uk]

Hi guys, still haven't bought the router yet as I have another question.

Is it worth gettin a wireless router?

I have a wi fi card already which i use sometimes with my laptop. Also, the PC has a built in network card.

Would a wireless router be appropriate in this case?

1)can I have a wire to the main comp, and a wireless connection to the laptop?
2) if I want both wireless, is this possible, and what would I need for the main comp, e.g. is it a card, or a usb or something for wireless on the main comp?
3) would the connection be good to a different room in the house, e.g. there's a wall between where the router would be, and where the laptop would be, or even a door or something?

many thanks again, sorry for all the questions

[me1000uk]

oh and another question, seeing as i got a free modem, is it not ok just to use a router without a built in modem? as it'd be cheaper

if that was the case, would i plug the supplied modem to the router, and is this compatible (e.g. is it via usb or something else)

thanks again :)

me1000uk

[Templar]

oh and another question, seeing as i got a free modem, is it not ok just to use a router without a built in modem? as it'd be cheaper

if that was the case, would i plug the supplied modem to the router, and is this compatible (e.g. is it via usb or something else)

thanks again :)

me1000uk Yep, just get the standalone router.
If you already have a WIFI enabled laptop, sure, get the wireless router.
The router gets the modem in the WAN port, the LAN ports are for destop PC (via NIC ), and of course the wireless lappy get it through the air. Most wireless routers have at least 4 wired ports, which can be used for other PC's or a print server if you like..
Make sure you enable wireless encryption!

[me1000uk]

hi,

thanks for the advice. I went into the computer shop, and saw that the modem I have is usb, so I'd have to go with a router with built in modem.

Does anyone know which is a good router/modem that has wireless capability? something that they have had experience of, or found to be great value?

thanks alot

me1000uk