Modem change over - advice please

Folio

Current situation = I have a desktop PC running WINXP and using dial up broadband modem (we don't have cable in our area). Am happy with this - do not want to change anything.

I am buying a new laptop running windows Vista. I know that I can't just plug my current modem into the laptop as the modem is not compatible with Vista unless I download new drivers.

I will want to access the interent with the laptop a couple of times a week, so I am wondering if it is feasible for me to buy a modem that will work with Vista and a piece of broadband modem cable, so that I can just insert which ever modem I want to use into the wall socket before I dial up ....am I being too simplistic and/or hopeful here or will this work?

Thanks for any help

albertross_2

which modem?

if you are going to be using 2 pc's a wireless router might be a better option, then there is no unplugging to do, and if encrypted they give you added security over a adsl modem

Folio

albertross wrote: »

which modem?

if you are going to be using 2 pc's a wireless router might be a better option, then there is no unplugging to do, and if encrypted they give you added security over a adsl modem

I'm not very technichally minded so please forgive me if any of my questions seems dim....

1) Will a wireless router wwork if the pc is running WinXp and the laptop Windows vista?

2) Are routers hard to install and what do you do to encrypt them?

3) which modem? well the one I have now is a sagem supplied by Tiscali when I signed up with them for dial up broadband so was assuming they would be able to sell me the equivelant for the laptop

Thanks for your help albertross

albertross_2

1. yes , if the pc has a network card, you plug that into router with supplied cable, and use wireless on the laptop (which I assume it has)?

2. no, you just plug them in and configure.

these are instructions for encrypting a netgear dg834g, which is available from ebuyer.com and elsewhere.

the first link is the short version of how to encrypt.

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

Folio

albertross wrote: »

1. yes , if the pc has a network card, you plug that into router with supplied cable, and use wireless on the laptop (which I assume it has)?

Thanks again - how do I know if my PC has a network card? It is about 3 years old now and I have NO idea how to find out.

Laptop spec includes (and Iagain I have NO idea if this is what I am looking for...!) 56K V92 dial up modem (which I assume is only useful for ordinary dial up?) and something called integrated LAN and WLAN - is this what I am looking for please?

Golly - I feel SOOOOOO useless! am very appreciative of your help

albertross_2

An ethernet (i.e. network) port looks very similar to a modem port, slightly bigger, with two little lights on, see this guide.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/static/html/reference-cables-guide.html

if it doesn't have one, they cost about £4, but most modern PC's have them

WLAN = wireless lan, so I suspect your laptop is wireless.

so, if you have an ethernet port on the pc, something like this is all you need:

http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/52244/rb/0

if you want to go wireless on the desktop as well, ie move the PC away from the phone point, then this is £4.35 more, and includes a usb wireless adapter.

http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/119374/rb/0