Broadband on 2nd PC

iviv

Just did a quick check. For powerline networking, you need to get a starter kit first, as it comes with all the plugs you need. The cheapest one on the site I usually use is just over £80.
Meanwhile, a good ADSL router will set up back around £40. Finally, for wireless, you'll need a way to make the far computer wireless. This can either be done with a USB dongle that you simply install the software and plug into a USB port, or a PCI card which you have to open up the case to plug in. There's no real difference between either of these two choices, though.

Obviously, you should shop around, see what prices you can get. High street retailers like curries often do bundles with a wireless adsl router and a USB dongle which may work out cheaper.

Dick_here

Ok thanks, so it seems like I need an ADSL router and a USB dongle ?

The router will replace the current modem and will still be a cabled connection to the phone line/existing pc (ethernet cable at present) and the new pc will simply have the dongle plugged into it with no physical connection to anything, right so far ?

Is there any need for me to contact talktalk at all or will pretty much any router and dongle work ?

latecomer

Any new DSL wireless router should work (be wary of second hand ones). I've had good experiences with the DG834G previously mentioned althuogh with a different ISP. I know the Talktalk site does list some routers known to work so one of those might be a good idea.

The router will replace your existing modem and connect with ethernet to your PC exactly as you have it set up now. You will need to enter your username and password during the setup and then it just work. Setting up the wireless should also be simple but make sure you configure the security as instructed.

I'd use a router and usb dongle from the same supplier as I've had issues using stuff from different manufacturers. I'm personally a fan of Netgear for ease of use and reliability but there are lots of other good makes too.

Something like this would be fine:

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/119374

And you shouldn't need to talk to Talktalk, nothing will change as far as they are concerned

John_Gray

latecomer wrote: »

And you shouldn't need to talk to Talktalk, nothing will change as far as they are concerned

True as far as it goes, but things will change at your end, and you'll have to input the same customisation parameters, userid, password, etc, into the new ADSL wireless modem router that you had to do (or was already pre-programmed) when you first got the TalkTalk ADSL modem. This can be very straightforward... or a nightmare if you get it wrong or don't know all the data.

Dick_here

latecomer wrote: »

The router will replace your existing modem and connect with ethernet to your PC exactly as you have it set up now.

So if we're getting a 'wireless' router why do we still need it to physically connect to the existing pc ? Is there a way we can get rid of cables altogether at this point or not ?

iviv

!!!!!!_here wrote: »

So if we're getting a 'wireless' router why do we still need it to physically connect to the existing pc ? Is there a way we can get rid of cables altogether at this point or not ?

Well, from the off it will save you £20 buying another wireless USB dongle for the closer PC. Plus, its better to be connected with a wire - less stuff to set up, much less to go wrong. You could go wireless if you really wanted, but since its going to be close enough to connect a cable anyway, you might as well cable it.

And regarding the brands, it is generally better to get the router and dongle from the same brand. There shouldn't be any problems with using different manufacturers, as its all supposed to be done to the same specifications, but you know how these things are

Cloister

I completely agree with IVIV, if your router is next to the one PC it would be better to have it wired.

You can always buy a dongle in the future if you want to move the other PC.

Dick_here

Thanks all, very helpful stuff !

Dick_here

As a follow up...

we got the pc delivered, switched it on and it set up fine. We've no internet connection for it yet, however when we went to switch off it started a Windows download update. Does this mean we're inadvertantly piggy-backing someone else's connection ?

If so, does this mean we don't need a dongle at all as it's got WiFi built in and will work once we got our router ?

iviv

!!!!!!_here wrote: »

As a follow up...

we got the pc delivered, switched it on and it set up fine. We've no internet connection for it yet, however when we went to switch off it started a Windows download update. Does this mean we're inadvertantly piggy-backing someone else's connection ?

If so, does this mean we don't need a dongle at all as it's got WiFi built in and will work once we got our router ?

Many PCs come with built in wireless, though it would usually be advertised as a selling point.
Anyway, it certainly sounds like its connected to something. Open up internet explorer, see if it brings up any websites. If it has, it means someone near you has been rather silly and not protected their wireless, and yes, you're using it. Is it illegal? Not sure, its been suggested that since windows will automatically connect you to any unsecured wireless network, you can claim you didn't know. Though on the other hand, ignorance is generally no excuse.
In short, its best to get a wireless router anyway. But lets check to make sure you have wireless, and its not Windows being silly. Go start>connect to>show all network connections. This should show you a list of all network adaptors installed on your PC, likely just a wireless internet connection and a LAN connection. If there isn't a 'connect to' page, go into the control panel, and go to 'network connections' instead.