2 pc's on NTL broadband

hampshirebabe

At the moment I'm using my desktop pc to use the internet with ntl broadband. But I want to get a laptop soon too. Is there a cheap and easy way to use both, wireless would be good, but I'm asuming quite costly to both set up and use. The easy way would be just to switch the cable to whichever one I'm using at the time, but I'd like to be able to use the laptop while hubby is on the pc.
Any suggestions?
Mary

onetomany

hi mary ntl is owned by virgin now, the best thing i would do is is get a wirless router that way you put your pc in any room, and run your laptop of it, ive got one and i run two laptops and 2 pcs of it and it works fine , have you treid ringing virgin and asking about any offers? you can buy cheaper but if you dont buy from virgin they wont offer any techinal support, hope this helps hun x

macman

Just ask Virgin for a free wireless router, this is what you would get as a new customer anyway so ask them to supply one to you FOC in order to keep your custom. If not, say you may have to take your business elsewhere as you need to go wireless for your new laptop.
If you're unaware that ntl is now Virgin, then possibly you are on an older and uncompetitive package anyway, so look at the current tarrifs and see if you can switch to a better deal as well.

hampshirebabe

Thanks, I do know its virgin now, I just forgot. I asked someone if there was a midland bank nearby last week, They looked very confused till I remembered it HSBC now.
Thanks I'll,give them a ring.
Mary

macman

Tell them you have 'gone wireless' so you need a wireless router to connect now if you are to stay with Virgin-that should do the trick. At the very least they should do you one for the delivery cost.

hampshirebabe

Sorry, meant to ask this too, will I need anything else, or need to pay a monthly charge too?

macman

No, you just need a wireless router which should plug into your existing cable modem. Possibly they might upgrade your existing modem too if it is very old. All Virgin connections are currently being upgraded to 10MBps, so you should make sure your modem can provide this speed. There's no monthly charge for the router.
If you have a wireless laptop that's all you need. You can connect your existing PC via ethernet cable from the router, assuming you have an ethernet port, which is fitted on all PC's in the last 5 years or so.

hampshirebabe

Well i phoned virgin and they said its going to cost me £40 and theres no way they can give me a free one. I said I'm thinking of leaving and she said nothing.

tomarola

I say ntl instead of virgin too so your not alone.

Have you tried mobile braodband, its an extra 15 month but you can move round the house and still use the net, found this to be best way.

hampshirebabe

I've just seen a few going on ebay alot less than £40 would that work, does it need to be encoded or anything?

macman

hampshirebabe wrote: »

Well i phoned virgin and they said its going to cost me £40 and theres no way they can give me a free one. I said I'm thinking of leaving and she said nothing.

You need to try again and speak to someone in retentions, you won't get the best offers from the first level people. Did they offer you a better overall price? Go and do your homework on what you can get elsewhere and then ask them to match this.
If you don't already have a BT line, don't let them know this.