connecting a laptop to the internet help please - edit - more questions!

elsien

I just got given a sony vaio laptop. My current desktop is upstairs with the modem, and I want to use the laptop downstairs.
The laptop has a built in modem, so I followed the instructions, plugged it into the phone socket put in my username and password, and got an error message 815, which it said could mean the service name was wrong.
I phoned the tiscali helpline, who told me to put tiscali as the service name. When this didn't work, they then said I needed a router?
I don't know what a router is, or what it does, so does this sound right, as I thought with a built in modem I didn't need anything else?
Sorry to sound thick, I'm new to all this. If I do need a router, do I need different ones to get wireless connectivity - I was planning to have the laptop as wireless, and keep the main computer upstairs as it is now.
Thank you

JDMYOFAN

Basic overview..

Phoneline goes into a router. The router is the bit which is actually connected to the internet and can transmit the signal wirelessly. The laptop can wirlessly pick this signal up!

I'm suprised tiscali didn't provide you with a router, do you have broadband?

I would recommend the following setup.

Have the router upstairs on the computer desk. Use an ethernet cable to connect the PC and the router. (The reason I say cable is because the computer is probably not wireless).

The laptop can wirelessly pick up the router from anywhere in the house

If you don't have a phone socket near the PC, the router will need to go near a phone socket and you'll need a wireless receiver for the PC (or cable it around the house).

elsien

Thanks.
I have broadband, and the modem that tiscali gave me, that's all. So basically, without a router I can't connect my laptop to the internet in the meantime. What's an ethernet cable, btw?

culpepper

The ethernet cable is a thickish round cable with an end a bit bigger than a phone line end.
I expect your pc is plugged into your modem with an ethernet cable unless it is usb connected.
We have ours set so an ethernet hub plugs into our modem and all the pcs plug into the ethernet hub using ethernet cables.
cant help with the wireless bit though as we dont have it.

abr

you need a wireless modem/router.

perhaps if you posted the model number of your modem someone who has tiscali may be able to help
as stated before your desktop should be connected with an ethernet cable and you will be able to wirelessly connect to the internet with your laptop
the laptop will need a network card .
think the sony laptop should have this fitted internally

espresso

elsien wrote: »

I just got given a sony vaio laptop. My current desktop is upstairs with the modem, and I want to use the laptop downstairs.
The laptop has a built in modem, so I followed the instructions, plugged it into the phone socket put in my username and password, and got an error message 815, which it said could mean the service name was wrong...............

The modem built into the laptop will be a dial-up modem i.e. not suitable for broadband. You could use this modem to connect at dial-up speed but to use your Tiscali broadband you need an ADSL router to share the connection.

elsien

thanks, all much clearer now - thought I was going daft.

elsien

Couple more questions folks.
I've been looking in Curry's (just to get a rough idea), do I need a modem/router combined instead of the modem tiscali gave me? ( a Sagem 800 E3, unless that's the bar code I'm reading!) I was looking at the Belin starter kit, B5DUK056, I think . Or it might have been the F5D9630UK4 G+MIMO - both the same price, and I didn't write the model number down, just remembered the price.
Also, when you say I need a phone socket near the pc, I have the filter and modem plugged into a long extension cable that winds round the house from where it enters in the sitting room up to the back bedroom. Will it still work ok if I leave this like this and have the router upstairs, or will I need the router where the phone line first comes in?
Thanks

Donnie

elsien wrote: »

Couple more questions folks.
I've been looking in Curry's (just to get a rough idea), do I need a modem/router combined instead of the modem tiscali gave me? ( a Sagem 800 E3, unless that's the bar code I'm reading!) I was looking at the Belin starter kit, B5DUK056, I think . Or it might have been the F5D9630UK4 G+MIMO - both the same price, and I didn't write the model number down, just remembered the price.
Also, when you say I need a phone socket near the pc, I have the filter and modem plugged into a long extension cable that winds round the house from where it enters in the sitting room up to the back bedroom. Will it still work ok if I leave this like this and have the router upstairs, or will I need the router where the phone line first comes in?
Thanks

Yes, you need a combined modem/router instead of the one from Tiscali. If you are lucky you may be able to dispense with the whole extension lead thing and have all of your computers connecting to the Internet wirelessly.

It would really help if you had a friend who could put it all together for you.

elsien

Donnie wrote: »

It would really help if you had a friend who could put it all together for you.

Don't I know it! I'm hoping to sweet talk a neighbour who has a little more knowhow than me.

elsien

loaner wrote: »

you need an adsl wireless router, eg. netgear dg834g from amazon (if you want to save some money - £40 delivered). If the laptop is wireless, you don't need the dongle - let the pc use ethernet wired connection.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Netgear-DG834G-54Mbps-Wireless-Firewall/dp/B0000TZ8Z8

Yes it will still work on an extension.

Will that one work on thick walls and 3 floors of old terraced house?