Network Newbie question

MrJubbly

MrJubbly

MrJubbly

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Joined
20 Jan 2007
Posts
129
Hi,

Just after some quick guidance and advice.

After completing my first PC build I have donated my old PC to my children, for use in their playroom. I would now like to set things up so that both PCs (and a work PC) can access the internet over the same connection, but no sure where to start.

- My new PC is running Vista Ultimate 64-bit and has in built wireless 11g capability.
- The old PC is running Windows 98 and has no network card (I've removed the old 56K modem)
- The wotk PC has no wireless ability.
- We presently use BT Broadband over a USB connected Thomson ADSL modem.

I'm assuming that to acheive what I want, I simply need to get a router and some sort of network adapter for the old PC? The modem would then be plugged into the router and then and then the PCs/Router are configured to 'talk' to on another? Is this right/that simple, or am I missing something.

Assuming I've got the hteory right, what sort of kit would people recommend?

Thanks,

Jubbly
 
nope you to get it Right

your going to need a network card for the old Pc plug the modem into the Router and the other 2 pc's into the Router and off u go
 
Draytek do a USB model but it would be much easier just to use a router with a built in modem.
 
Thanks for the replies guys.

Okay, so ditch the ADSL modem in favour of an ADSL router, and get a wireless adapter for the old PC.

The only problem I see, is that my wife's work laptop has no wireless abilty and, as it is owned by her company, I can't touch the hardware or software. Presently, when my wife works from home, she just plugs the ADSL modem into the USB port on her laptop. So is it possible to get a router/modem that would allow this?

Cheers all,

Jubbly
 
Pretty much all routers will have some network ports, she can connect using a network cable (i assume the laptop at least has a wired network card).
 
tolien said:
Additionally, you couldn't have both the router and USB modem connected at once.
Click to expand...

No, I appreciate that. What I'm saying is ditch the USB Modem in favour of an ADSL router/modem. Are there router/modems though that will allow a PC to be direclty attached over USB?

Thanks,

Jubbly
 
They're few and far between (and typically need drivers) - can it not be connected through the network card?
 
Get a good quality ADSL router with wireless capability and when you have one, post back so we can assist you in putting the best settings on it for security.

With your wifes laptop, most come with at least a network card these days, if you look at all the ports on it, there will be one that looks slightly bigger than a telephone (modem) port (they may even be next to each other) which is the easiest way and requires little or no configuration (the wirelessly connected computers will need some tinkering)

What sort of spec is the old pc? I personally wouldn't put a windows 98 pc on the internet because a lot of things will be very limited. Of course simple web browsing will be fine.

As for what kit to use, it depends on your budget, but I would say the following are pretty good to start with:

Linksys WRT54GL 54Mbps Open Source Wireless Cable/DSL Router - £41.11
D-Link DGE-528T Gigabit Desktop PCI Network Adapter - £9.39

All inc vat and available from overclockers.co.uk :D
 
mejinks said:
With your wifes laptop, most come with at least a network card these days, if you look at all the ports on it, there will be one that looks slightly bigger than a telephone (modem) port (they may even be next to each other) which is the easiest way and requires little or no configuration (the wirelessly connected computers will need some tinkering)
Click to expand...

The laptop does have an RJ-45 socket over t'other side of where the USB ports are, so do you think this would function without having to modify the laptop in any way?

I guess that at the end of the day, if it doesn't work, we can always unplug the router and revert back to using the old USB modem when my wife needs to work?

mejinks said:
What sort of spec is the old pc? I personally wouldn't put a windows 98 pc on the internet because a lot of things will be very limited. Of course simple web browsing will be fine.
Click to expand...

Yes it's very old, but its only for my young children, so I'm not too bothered about the spec at the mo.

Looks like I just need to decide on which router/modem and card now:confused:

Thanks,

Jubbly
 
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