help! pc and laptop

spankymonkey_2

my daughter has decided she would like a laptop for xmas, all well and good, WHEN i find a bargain! the question is i have a pc already on dial up as i cannot get bb with ntl, would it be possible to connect 2 pc's to one phone line with dial up? is it really as easy as having a phone extension upstairs? thanks

ctm_2

Yes, as long as each computer has a dial up modem, it really is that easy.

Just set up the connection on the new computer using the same settings from the other computer, plug it in and connect. Obviously only one computer can be connected at a time.

spankymonkey_2

thats great thank you! but if we did need to go on at same times would i need to go to bb? sorry i am a bit dim with the detailed side of computing

ctm_2

There are a number of options if you want to use the internet on more than one computer at a time.

You could go to broadband, and then network the two computers, and share the connection either by getting a router, or using Internet Connection sharing in Windows.

You can also use Internet Connection Sharing for Dial Up internet. One computer connects to the internet, and the other one accesses the internet through the computer that is connected to the internet. The computers would need to be networked for this.

spankymonkey_2

so does that mean my pc would have to be a good spec including the laptop i have yet to buy? cheers!

albertross_2

Surprised you cant get broadband with NTL, are you sure?

iwanttosave_2

i was just going to say that about BB, where i live i can't get the digital tv but i can BB and phoneline.

Have you been on the website and typed in your post code, they do some good packages

spankymonkey_2

yep i checked all this as i have recently moved. website said yes i could have digi tv but no bb. so that was all fine and good right up to the day when my phone line was reconnected in new house. on asking the engineer when my digi tv would be fitted he then told me i couldnt get it i would take what the website with a pinch of salt! my area is one of the last to have bb or digi tv well peeved as it did say we would be one of the first! :mad:

spankymonkey_2

and just to say i could get bb but through aol then as its not ntl i wont get the good deals!

Browntoa

you can share the dial up link via a normal cable Lan network but the main Pc would need to be on and connected. It would also be incredibly slow if both PC's are surfing

pardal51

Browntoa wrote:

you can share the dial up link via a normal cable Lan network but the main Pc would need to be on and connected. It would also be incredibly slow if both PC's are surfing

To use a normal cable LAN (RJ45) you need to have a hub where the 2 PC will be linked to.

If you want to straight connect 2PCs with wires you'll need a CROSS OVER cable.

You also can buy a wireless card for your PC and I reckon the laptop you're buying will have it built in. Then just setup the wireless network, bridging the dial up connection.

PS: Performance will be poor, even with only 2 machines, on dial up; i.e.; if downloading stuff, streaming radio, etc as stated by browntoa

PS2: Please try to go BB