2 internet connections in one house-PC & laptop!

urbancookie1

Hi

My parents have a PC with internet via BT. I am getting a lap top and hope to have my own seperate internet connection.
Sooo, my questions are:

1) Is it possible to have 2 seperate internet connections in the same house, through different providers etc?

2) If this is possible, we are just purchasing the lap top outright on its own, so how would I go about setting up a connection? Who would I contact etc? Would they have to come out and fit wires/cables?

3) The lap top will mainly be used in my bedroom, is it best to go for a wireless option? I wont really be taking the laptop to work or 'out' at all so does this really matter?

4) I will be moving out soon, would I just contact the internet provider and they will sort out all the necessary arrangements etc?

5) is there such a thing as pay as you go internet?

Thanks for your help!!!

urbancookie1

How would I do that? What would it involve? would it cost extra? would we both be able to use the internet at the same time?

Sorry, as you can tell I'm a novice!

urbancookie1

whats a mobile mobile dongle?

pandora205

We did this. We already had a PC (then with BT now with Talk Talk). I just got a wireless router when I bought my laptop and it worked. We've since got another laptop and that is fine too with no extra cost. It also means laptops can be used anywhere in the house. (I've just discovered I can watch BBC iplayer in my bedroom!)

You just need to check that your laptop has a built in modem (ie wireless connection).

esbo

urbancookie1 wrote: »

How would I do that? What would it involve? would it cost extra? would we both be able to use the internet at the same time?

Sorry, as you can tell I'm a novice!

I think you can do this with a ethernet crossover cable, there is one here for £3.80 for 5 meters, that's pretty cheap.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/5M-Crossover-Cat5e-Ethernet-Network-RJ45-UTP-Cable-UK_W0QQitemZ280245525965QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item280245525965&_trksid=p3286.m14.l1318

There is a guide here.
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/qa/qa20030213.shtml
Yes you would both be able to use the internet at the same time but obviously if you both chose to do a big download at the same time you will get half the bandwidth each, but more often than not it will be as good as a full connection each

Pay as you go internet tend to work out pretty expensive, I would not recommend it.

Coveredinbees!!!!

If you can get Virgin in your area you could have one on the BT line and one on a cable modem but the best idea would be to connect to the existing broad band unless you planning on downloading tons off stuff and potentially annoying your parents

olly300

urbancookie1 wrote: »

Hi

My parents have a PC with internet via BT. I am getting a lap top and hope to have my own seperate internet connection.
Sooo, my questions are:

1) Is it possible to have 2 seperate internet connections in the same house, through different providers etc?

You can only have one connection coming from a BT line. If you want a different one you need to either have cable or mobile broadband.

However I don't understand why you don't just use your parents connection and get the appropriate hardware (a adsl wireless modem router) to enable you to connect more than one computer to the connection already in place. If you don't do this you and your parents will be paying together something like £50 a month just to be online.

urbancookie1 wrote: »

2) If this is possible, we are just purchasing the lap top outright on its own, so how would I go about setting up a connection? Who would I contact etc? Would they have to come out and fit wires/cables?

I strongly suggest you find a friend or a colleague who has more knowledge of computers than you. They will be able to guide you into what you need.

urbancookie1 wrote: »

3) The lap top will mainly be used in my bedroom, is it best to go for a wireless option? I wont really be taking the laptop to work or 'out' at all so does this really matter?

If you are using your parents connection then it's worth getting a wireless adsl modem-router. The router should come with one usb dongle which can be plugged into your parents computer, and your laptop if you have chosen it wisely should have an internal wireless card.

urbancookie1 wrote: »

4) I will be moving out soon, would I just contact the internet provider and they will sort out all the necessary arrangements etc?

The vast majority of contracts are for 12 months. Therefore sharing your parents connection is the easiest route for you.

urbancookie1 wrote: »

5) is there such a thing as pay as you go internet?

There is but you don't need it.

ust spend approximately £50 on a wirless adsl modem router and get a friend, colleague or neighbour to install it for you.

Donnie

It entirely possible to two computers to use the same ADSL connection. A router is all that is needed. A wireless router even better.

Are your parents using a Router or a USB Modem?

An example: Wireless Router