BT Broadband on PC and on laptop problem

Rookie

I have BT Broadband running on a PC (XP Home)
have now also purchased a laptop.
I have obtained another modem and filter and laptop runs fine.
I do not seem to be able to run Broadband on both machines at the same time.
Does this mean it is not possible?
The maximum cord size between Modem and filter for BT is 10 metres . I am using the full 10 metres on the PC and a smaller one on the laptop. Does the maximum length apply to the sum of the 2 cables?

Would appreciate the help of an expert!!

gunneradt

not quite sure what you mean. You can't connect 2 modems to one broadband account (well not easily anyway) - you need to share the connect with a switch/hub or crossover cat5 cable.

Rookie

Yes I have 1 broadband account
2 modems, seems I can run either of the two machines at any time but not both.
I have to unplug the modem cable from one to run the other.
So it is not possible to run both simultaneously then?

Bacon_Sandwich_3

The easiest way is to get a modem/router with more than one ethernet connection at the back of it if you don't want to get a wireless modem/router.

like the ones here ( LINK )

if you change the settings so it shows lowest price first it will give you an idea

mondayuk

Rookie, if the broadband modems you are using are the USB type then you can't do that with the equipment you have. Basically only one machine can be connected to broadband at once. The way around this is to buy a router, which connects to broadband internet, and then allows any computer on your home network access to the internet through the router.

Rookie

Thanks for that is there a special name for this type of modem?

Rookie

Thanks Monday,
Does this router fit internally or outside the computer and have you any idea what it is called?
As you can see by my name I am totally green !!!

mondayuk

You're looking for an ADSL Router like this:
http://www.netgear.com/products/details/DG834G.php

Then you need to connect both PCs by a LAN cable or wireless adaptor. Your PCs might already have LAN ports so check this out. If not then you can get USB ones like this:
http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Merchant_Id=&Section_Id=2082&pcount=&Product_Id=107599&Section.Section_Path=%2FRoot%2FNetworking%2FWiredNetworking%2FNetworkI%2E%2E%2EaceCards%2F

or if you want to go wireless, a wireless one like this:
http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Merchant_Id=&Section_Id=201576&pcount=&Product_Id=203472&Section.Section_Path=%2FRoot%2FNetworking%2FWirelessNetworking%2F80211gWi%2E%2E%2Etworking%2Fct_Id>

mondayuk

Sorry I just spotted that your new one is a laptop. If it's new it probably already has wireless built in, in which case you just need something for the PC assuming that's not already kitted out.

Rookie

Thanks Monday,
For your help.
Neither the laptop nor the pc has wireless enabled.

gunneradt

yes just get yourself an adsl modem/router with built in wirless. Connect the phone line to the router, an ethernet cable to your desktop and then use the laptop wirelessly. You just need to enter a few login details to the router and that's it. Configuration is more or less auto for the various pcs that will use it.

Be sure to either set wireless encryption or set your dhcp server to work only with your designated number of pcs.