Help moving frim AOL to Virgin broadband

HappySad

Moving in a week to Virgin Media - Telephone, Broadband, TV......Currently using AOL broadband they provided the router that plugs directly into our computer......................Now with Virgin, I have to buy a router. I want a router that is wireless and also wired; so that I can plug it directly into our computer and also have wireless connection for our other computers in the house. So what are the best wireless only and wireless/wired routers. What should I be looking for when buying a router? What are the good makes? Argos http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/6751786.htm by NetGear is this any good.

albertross_2

a third of the price, does the same job:

http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/48546/rb/27114990206

or

http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/52450/rb/27114990206

another tenner off:

http://www.ebuyer.com/googlecheckout

how to secure it:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?p=4911860&postcount=3

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?p=2471408&postcount=37

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?p=2471410&postcount=38

cledor

The Rangemax from Netgear is good but rather expensive, suggest you shop around (eBuyer and other sites) for a DSL/Cable wireless router, most of them will handle wired and wireless connections. Other brands include Linksys, Buffalo, Draytek, D-Link, USR, & Belkin.

HappySad

Thanks. My understanding is that I will be left with an ethernet cable that I need to plug into a router then plug that into my PC. Do cable companies no longer provide routers? AOL provided a wired router. The reason I ask is that the papers that came with Virgin says nothing about me having to get a router but when I spoke to the customer service person they said that I need to provide one myself..... Now I have 1 week to get one.. I am going to rebook my installation date as I don't have enough time to order and get it delivered.

cledor

Most of them are concerned that the modems will not easily interface to Vista PCs via USB, but if you use ethernet there will be no problem connecting a Vista PC. I would expect that if you are on XP you will be able to connect via USB or Ethernet to the modem they should provide you with.

albertross_2

you don't need the router for the cable connection to work, you just need it for sharing with other PC's and added security. So don't worry about changing the installation date.

Jzpop

Not too sure why you were told that Virgin do not supply wireless routers - they have 16 models in their online store -
http://accessories.virginmedia.com/webstore/search.aspx?CatId=16&GroupRelationSelected=340202

Never tried it myself (I have always installed my own), but call them again and see if they can supply and setup the kit that you order from them as part of the initial install. the kit may cost a few pounds more than from ebuyer, but it will arrive on time, be installed and most importantly be supported if faults arise.

Jzpop

Even if they won't install it, there are full installation instructions at
http://www.virgin.net/helpme/broadband/Installation/router/

HappySad

Thanks Albertross... having read your thread I have looked at the back of my computer (running Windows 2000 professional) and it looks like there is an ethernet connection. It is square connection hole with a picture of a pyramid of 3 x computer (one on top and two below); which I am guessing are computers networked together. ..... Does this mean that I don't have to rush out and get a router (wire or wireless)?

HappySad

Jzpop wrote: »

Not too sure why you were told that Virgin do not supply wireless routers - they have 16 models in their online store -
http://accessories.virginmedia.com/webstore/search.aspx?CatId=16&GroupRelationSelected=340202

Never tried it myself (I have always installed my own), but call them again and see if they can supply and setup the kit that you order from them as part of the initial install. the kit may cost a few pounds more than from ebuyer, but it will arrive on time, be installed and most importantly be supported if faults arise.

Thanks for your links.... virgin said nothing about this. I will call them again and ask for this.. as you said it would be 100x better for me to order everything from them and get them to install this..... Less work for us.. Thanks so much everyone for this..... my baby is due in 3weeks time and I am so looking forward to getting this all done and dusted before...

albertross_2

Correct.

There's nothing much to install really, you just plug the router in between the cable modem and the PC for a wired connection.