Setting up Broadband

paulb369uk

Hi guys,
I am new to broadband and require some of your expert help please. This is my situation:-

I have an old PC and a new laptop and want to get a wireless broadband connection for them. From reading several threads can you confirm if this is what I need to do:-

1. Connect my modem to a wireless router via an ethernet cable.
2. Connect the router to my PC via another ethernet cable.
(this is where the problem may arise, my old computer does not have an ethernet port. Will I need to buy this ?)

https://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=37966

3. Once this is all connected Bobs your uncle and I should be up and running.

Thanks

Paul

rogerramjet

Is your modem USB or Ethernet? if its USB you will need to buy a modem/router not just a router.

Yep...correct item.

Don't forget, its not as simple as just plugging things in, you will need to access the router to get your account details put in and remember to secure the wireless network to stop others gaining access to your internet access

nickmack

You seem to have grasped the concept!

One question, does your current modem have both a USB and an Ethernet connection? It sounds like you must be connecting via USB at the moment.

I'm assuming your laptop has wireless built in, otherwise you need a wireless laptop card.

paulb369uk

Thanks guys

I have not signed up for any broadband package yet so cannot answer some of the questions, by laptop has built in wireless (which works). Which will be best for me to get USB or Ethernet?

Thanks

Paul

wonka

Sounds to me like you want a wireless router, with built in modem (ADSL/cable?) - you don't need a separate modem.

Also buy the ethernet card for your old PC (how old? does it have PCI connectors?). A wireless router should have at least one ethernet port built-in to coneect to your PC, but just make sure it does.

paulb369uk

Wonka

PC is old but has 3/4 slots which possibly can be removed to add the ethernet card. Not sure abaout the PCI connector where would I find this?

Paul

scheming_gypsy

instead of going wired to the ADSL router you could buy a USB wireless adaptor and go wireless for both.

mr_fishbulb

scheming_gypsy wrote:

instead of going wired to the ADSL router you could buy a USB wireless adaptor and go wireless for both.

It depends on what operating system is on this old PC. If it's before Windows 98 Second Edition then there could be some troube setting up USB devices.

scheming_gypsy

good point well presented..

back in my box for me.

paulb369uk

mr_fishbulb wrote:

It depends on what operating system is on this old PC. If it's before Windows 98 Second Edition then there could be some troube setting up USB devices.

System has windows 98 on it and 1 USB port no ethernet. Laptop has 3xusb ports 1 x ethernet port and wireless built in.

paulb369uk

scheming_gypsy wrote:

instead of going wired to the ADSL router you could buy a USB wireless adaptor and go wireless for both.

Do I not need to have one computer connected to the router ?