Networking with AOHELL

DannyBoyLeckie

DannyBoyLeckie

DannyBoyLeckie

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Joined
11 Nov 2005
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15
Location
Wakefield
Morning all,

My first post on OC and hoping someone could help me out. A friend at work has a laptop and he only wants a few quid for as long as I make him a website, I only want the laptop to sit in bed and use msn and the net. The problem is that it doesn’t have a network port.

I want to somehow to get a connection to this laptop. I currently use AOL as my ISP and don’t have a router. I don’t use the AOL software to connect I just use the modem and dial onto the AOL network that way. Would I have to buy a router that is only supported by AOL? Or because I don’t use the software can I just use any router?

I have checked and AOL want me to use a router that is over £100 and IMO that isn’t really worth it just to sit in bed with the laptop.

Can someone please advise?

Thanks in advance :)
 
If the laptop doesn't have a network card in it, you can either get a PCMCIA network card or USB. Wireless is another option. I don't know if the AOL software would prevent you doing it, but you could run ICS (Internet Connection Sharing) on the PC with the modem attached and cable that to the laptop. The laptop would then access the internet via the other PC.

You've got a few options to connect the two machines, either a network card in each machine and a crossover network cable between them or a wireless card for each machine and setup an ad-hoc wireless network.

You can buy a router that isn't supported by AOL, but you'll get no help from them if you have problems with it. Shouldn't be a problem though really.

Whatever router you get, don't get a Belkin (unless you like unreliability) and make sure it is an ADSL router, not a Cable/DSL router. When you set it up, set the MTU to 1400 or you'll have strange problems accessing websites.

Given the choice, I'd use a router rather than ICS.
 
Cheers for that mate,

I have a basic understanding with networking, But the laptop apears to only have a network slot and 1 usb port. How would i use the ICS?

So you say i could use any router but without the support from AOL? Wel that would been fine i haev only spoken to them when they used to mess my bills up every month, there Tech Support suck the big one.
 
ICS would be fun on the PC that has the modem physically attached to it, not the laptop you're getting.

Windows has a wizard which will run through setting up ICS for you. I've never actually done it myself, always used a router.

Like I said, using a router would be much easier. Have a look at a Netgear DG834 or DG834G if you want wireless.
 
Ok, i have priced up a Router and seen one for about £40-50 is that about right? Can i connect my PC directly to the Router and just buy a wireless network card for the latop? would that be the card style (sorry dont know the name pci?) or a usb?

Cheers again :)
 
Which model of router is it (don't link to the supplier if it isn't OcUK though), any ADSL router should do the job.

If the router has wireless, then you can either cable it directly to the router or use the wireless side of things. As far as laptops go, you could use a USB wireless card (USB was never designed for networking, so I don't use it) or a PCMCIA (credit card sized) card. I'd go for PCMCIA.
 
You should be able to use any ADSL router, but I know for that DG834 works well with AOL. That particular model doesn't have wireless, you'd need a DG834G if you wanted wireless. There is a DG834GT but you're best off avoiding that.
 
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