Broadband on 2nd PC

Dick_here

We're with talktalk, line rental and bb package. We're not wireless.

We're now buying another pc for LO and she wants internet access of course. How do we go about getting that pc online, is it just get an extra cable connected to the phone line ? Will it cost extra with talktalk ? Is this the time to go wireless, would that make life easier ? If so, how do we go about that ?

Thanks all.

M4RKM

wireless seems the most obvious route... the only costs are the hardware you have to purchase... which is an ADSL Modem Router, and (maybe) a wireless card/usb dongle for the newer computer.

The original Computer will plug in via Ethernet.. you'd have a set up something like this


PHONE LINE ---- MODEM/ROUTER ---- ORIGINAL PC
/ / / / / / / / / / o o o o NEW PC / / / / / / / / / /

if you imagine the ---- as cables, and then underneath the "o o o o" being the new pc receiving the wireless signal..

ooh i just hope that makes sense...

fitshase

You need an "ADSL modem/router" which replaces your current talktalk broadband modem. You can then plug the 2 computers into the back of the router with a network cable.

Alternatively, if the computers are in different rooms and you don't want the cables trailing everywhere, you can go for a wireless router and fit a wireless USB dongle to the computer which is not near the router.

Both options do not cost any extra with talktalk as they only see one connection. That connection is split using the router to the computers in your house.

Cloister

Firstly do you know if you have a broadband router or modem? How is your first PC connected to it?

These days most isp's offer a router when you sign up depending upong your package.

You only need one device connected to your phone line and Talk Talk do not need to know, it's nothing to do with them.

What you need to work out is where both PC's are going to be situated, if you have one PC by the phone line and another in a completely different part of the house then you're probably want to go wireless.

I personally prefer to wire all my PC's in because I found wireless to be unreliable for gaming but fine for general surfing and downloading.

Either way your best bet is to use a router to connect them. Most routers whether they are wireless or not will have 4 ports to plug in network cables, so if the pc's are side by side then all you will need is a router and a couple of network cables. (most pc's these days have onboard network cards but you'll want to check to see if they do.)

Instead of confusing the issue my first questions are this:

1. Are the PC's going to be side by side?

2. What are you using now, modem or router?

C

fwor

Another very low-cost solution if you have a USB-connected modem, but also have LAN ports on both PCs (and assuming you use WinXP or later):

Buy a cheap LAN crossover cable, connect the two PCs together and enable "Internet connection sharing" on the one with the broadband modem. The only extra cost is the cable, which should cost no more than a fiver.

The only downside is that the BB-connected PC will have to carry the extra load of the transit traffic from the other, but for a modern PC that's no big deal.

Dick_here

Cloister wrote: »

Instead of confusing the issue my first questions are this:

1. Are the PC's going to be side by side?

2. What are you using now, modem or router?

C

Thanks for trying to keep it simple !

1. No, different rooms with the hallway in-between (so wireless is probably preferable to us now).

2. Modem I think (I'm at work now). It was whatever was free from talktalk at the time, rather than a wireless something that was £30 IIRC.

Cloister

If you had a modem, you would have to "dial up" to establish a connection, if you had a router once you turned your router on you would just boot up the PC and the internet would just be there.

If it's a modem the most popular one is the Thomson speedtouch but I have no idea what Talk Talk shipped with any of their packages.

So it's likely that you'll have to buy a wireless ADSL router, these vary in cost and I have had a few over the time.

The most reliable one I have had is a Netgear DG834G, if anyone else has had good experiences with routers now is the time to speak up, I had a D-Link G604T as well but that wasn't particularly reliable.

If you need a hand once you've bought your router in setting it up you can PM me and I'll help you secure your wireless connection.

iviv

As said, the easiest and cheapest way (Short of buying a really long cable and trailing it around the house) is to go wireless. You're looking for a wireless ADSL modem router (not a cable router). There are several manufacturers, with various features and speeds. Obviously, the more you spend, the more features you'll get, but if you're mainly going to be web surfing, you don't need a top of the range design.
One of the main points is the tybe of wireless. 802.11b/g/n
802.11b is the oldest and slowest standard, and you probably can't buy those components anymore. 802.11g has been around for a 5 years now, is faster than b.
802.11n is very new, and the standard hasn't been finalised yet. However, there are several pieces of hardware which run on it already. Its around 50% faster than the g (Though this is only important for transferring files between computers, the speeds of the routers will likely be faster than the speed of your internet, so you won't be slowed down by the g router). n devices can also run in the 5Ghz band, as opposed to the 2.5Ghz that b/g devices run in, which is more prone to interference.

tl;dr
Go for products which are 802.11g specification. The 802.11n isn't set in stone yet, things could change, and its more expensive. Though if you want some serious futureproofing, then an n router may be an idea.

C_Ronaldo

How about them homeplugs, they work using the houses electrical sockets

iviv

They usually work out more expensive than the wireless options.

Cloister

That is also an option, I never remember these as I havent tried them but I think they're a great idea.

They are powerline adapters where you plug your network cable into the powerline adaptor and the pc at one end.

and the other end you plug a network cable into the power line adaptor and the router.

Trouble is they aren't that cheap from what I've seen, adding to the cost of whats happening here. unless someone knows somewhere to get them cheaply....