connection

Question

I have a desktop Dimension 4600 working well thanx to forums help. This is a connection question. I was given a Dell 5150 and formatted it, reinstalled the o.s . Then I installed chipset first then all the drivers I could find. I then installed sp2.
I called Comcast and they said the service for both the lap top and the Mcafee Secutrity center was free.
** The trouble is I do not know what to do now. I was only given two discs to do the above.
I don't know If I need more or not. I will only be using it in a wireless setup.
I am trying to get an explorer on my desktop and be able to get on line. The manual is not clear in these areas
Could you point me in a workable direction to get msie 6 on the desktop and some help getting on line.
Thank you

volcano11 · Answer

It is unclear from your message whether or not you have a wireless router connected to the cable modem.  The router must be set up to connect to the cable modem and the router must be set up for wireless.   You don't need any discs of sofware to do this and you may or may not need software to setup the router.  But, once the router is set up, you can do everything on the router from its web based configuration utility using Internet Explorer.   I don't understand when you say 'Could you point me in a workable direction to get msie 6 on the desktop and some help getting on line'.  I though you said that your desktop connection is working?  Why do you need msie 6?  Please help me get by this confusion.   Steve

Changed3 · Answer

As you can tell I am 'working my way through' these steps to finally get the pc to work as wireless. 1-I erred by mentioning the explorer as it is all set. -sorry. 2-the first post was to begin to gather information and now I will provide such information to help you . 3-I have a Dell Dimension 4600 sp xp2 with explorer 6. I have a Netgear router that uses cable -Rp614 ver 3. This is my main machine and runs ok. 4-My daughter gave me a Dell Inspiron 5150 which I reformatted and it now is xp sp2 with all the drivers I could find on the drivers and utilites disc. My Dimension has two driver discs so this Sunday I hope to collect any remaining discs and see if this Inspiron has two also. 5-I have been researching and I think I need to get a wireless card and a wirelss router. 6- My puzzle is to coordinate pieces so I do not pay more for the Comcast service or the Mcafee Security Center. Comcast said if I use one modem I will get their service for no additional charge and the accomanying Security Center that is free for Comcast customers It is around $100. per month. I think if Iuse a second modem it is considered a new serviceplus security. The back of the modem has one usb port available;the others are power,ethernet to the modem and the cable wire which enters the house. 7-can a usb end go from the back of the modem and the other end be ethernet which I could plug into a wireless router; then I could plug the lap top into the wireless router.If so I could go online. 8-Perhaps my novice guessing sounds messy but I am open to suggestions which will end up with a wireless laptop. Thank you for your patience.

volcano11 · Answer

If your cable modem has an ethernet port, that is what you would need to connect to a router.   You will then need a wireless router and a wireless network adapter in the Inspiron 5150.  The 5150 may already have an internal wireless network adapter, so check in Device Manager first to be sure.   You will not use the USB port on the modem.   Once you have the wireless router you will connect it to the modem through ethernet.   There will be 5 ethernet ports on the router.  One will be labled WAN (or sometimes it is labled Internet - depends on the make and model of the router).  You will plug one end of the ethernet cable into the WAN port on the router and the other into the ethernet port on the cable modem.   So that your 4600 can connect to the internet, you will plug another ethernet cable from the ethernet port on the 4600 to on of the 4 remaining ethernet ports on the router.   Once the 5150 has a wireless adapter, it can connect to the router, and thus the internet, through the wireless part of the router.   Simple setup instructions will come with the router.   This will allow you to share the cable modem and thus the internet connection with all computers. Comcast should not charge extra for this.   I don't know what their restriction are on the security software.   I have Cox cable and can use the security software on all computers that connect through the single cable modem.   Steve

Changed3 · Answer

Thanx Steve, this is very informative and more for the folder.

volcano11 · Answer

DHCP should be enabled on both the router and on the network adapters which will connect to the router.  This will enable the modem to automatically assign an IP address to the router and the router to automatically assing IP addresses to the computers.   Steve

Changed3 · Answer

I am picking up bits and pieces along the way for which I appreciate. I will see device manager re the internal wireless network adapter. I currently have a wired router but it has been suggested to me to just use a wireless router. It appears as though you are suggesting the same thing. I was told the router auto finds Comcasts ip; I also noticed DHCP or letter like those were mentioned. Do you know what I do with them re disable or enable? Hopefully all the information I collect in my folder will boil down to THE way to do this. This message you sent was exrtremely helpful as I had no idea where I was going -the bulb is getting brighter. Thank you

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