I assume talktalk is a DSL provider?  If this is correct, you need to first make sure that the DSL modem they give you can connect to your computer via ethernet.  some are USB only.

hi,

 

thanks for the reply - could you explain the ethernet bit please and were you referring to just the desktop or the laptop or both?

 

thanks

I was actually referring to the DSL modem that you will be using.  Some only support USB.  Some only support ethernet.  Some support both.

 

In order to buy a router and easily share your connection, the modem needs to support an ethernet connection.

hi again,

 

i have managed to find out that the ethernet is the bit that goes in the telephone line! i have also found out that my existing modem is the one ill be using, but can i establish something:

 

i am assuming the connection goes something like this:

 

telephone socket ------ modem ------- router ---------- computer

 

the ethernet from modem goes in telephone socket

the usb from modem goes into router

and usb from router goes into computer

 

i know i need a adsl router - any advice on which model/speed

 

i know i also need 2 network cards - so desktop and laptop can speak to each other. id prefer the laptop one to be the wide one (dont know the connection name of it) but i dont know if one will go into the laptop - i have whats called a parallel port on the laptop, which looks the same width as the network card in pc world - is this the right one?

 

oh and also, when i get my talktalk broadband installation disc (im assuming i get one) can i install it on the desktop and laptop - or do i do something else?

 

sorry for all the questions, but i have no other way of sorting this out, and i like to learn to do things for myself!

 

many many thanks

ethernet is not a telephone line

 

 

telephone socket --- modem --- router -- computer is correct but

 

the ethernet normal phone line from modem goes in telephone socket

the usb ethernet from modem goes into router

and usb ethernet from router goes into computer

 

If your modem only has USB and does not have ethernet, you will need to buy a new modem.  I am not aware of any routers which support a USB connection.  They all need ethernet.

Hello again,

 

thanks for another reply - you are really helping me out here :smileyhappy:

 

ok, i really understood that bit, so feel im getting somewhere now.

 

right, so have now established i need new modem too then.  i will get on to talk talk to find out if theirs are ethernet, and how much etc...

 

could you tell me what the ethernet bit looks like and what the hole in the computer it goes in looks like please  (sorry, being a pest now, i know)

 

much appreciated.

ask as many questions as you need to :)

 

as for what an ethernet port looks like, it looks like a larger than normal phone line port.  It's wider than a phone jack.

 

Here are some pictures:  http://images.google.com/images?svnum=10&hl=en&rls=com.microsoft%3Aen-us&q=ethernet+port

hi again,

 

bless you for this!

 

pictures were great, had a look round the back of desktop, and yes i have one of those holes, so now i know what im looking for.

 

pc world man told me to not worry about getting the high speed router models, said they wernt necessary - would you agree with that?

 

also, the network card - would that go in the pc card slot in the laptop? they look about the same width

 

hope the modem doesnt cost much, its looking like this is going to cost a small fortune:smileysurprised:

 

what we do for technology eh?!!

 

 

remind me what kind of laptop you have?

 

and just to remind me again, are you looking for a wireless router?  do you want to connect the laptop to the router wirelessly or are you simply going to use a wired ethernet connection?

:smileyhappy: me again!

 

ah, its all looking clearer now - i wont feel like such a dummy in the shop now.

thanks so much for all this.

 

the network card i saw for sale, i will check whether its pc or express, it was £20

and one router available had a usb network card included (which i would use for the desktop)

cost £45, had lower speed but as you've said thats ok.

 

so i feel much more confident now that i will get the right bits

 

my broadband is due to switch over on the 27th, so ill wait for that, then go and get the bits i need to go wireless, so should be all done in 8 days or so.

 

ill let you know how it goes, unless i have more questions before then.

 

watch this space!!!

 

 

Hi there,

 

My laptop is a Dell C600 Latitude, pentium 3 running on xp with service pack 2.

 

Yes I do want to be wireless - so I can surf in the bedroom/kitchen etc. I have seen pictures on the Dell's site labelling all the different holes, the only one that looks about the right size for a network card is called a pc card slot, so im hoping this is the one to use.

 

thanks

wait ... i though the desktop already had an ethernet port?  what are you planning on using the USB network card for?

Alright, in terms of a wireless router, I agree that you don't need the "fastest" type available.  This means that I would avoid things that say "N" "pre-N" "draft N" or "MIMO."  I would also avoid items that claim to be "super G" "speedbooster" "108" and well, you get the idea.

 

I would suggest you get something that supports 802.11g and that supports WPA2 encryption.  Most new hardware will support this.  You can buy fancier stuff if it's the same price, but you do not need it.

 

In terms of a wireless card, the same conditions apply.  You're looking for a pc-card.  This is different from express cards (which look somewhat similar but only recently came out).  Again, get a pc-card that supports 802.11g and WPA2 encryption.  This card will slide in that slot on the side of your computer.  I have no idea what they cost in the UK but such a card in the states would be expected to sell for around $20 or cheaper (if you were looking for a good price).

nope, only one.  everything goes through the router.  the desktop will connect to it via a single ethernet cable.  the laptop will connect to it wirelessly.

 

the router in turn will be connected to your DSL modem via a single ethernet cable.

 

With a little software setup, your computers can then both get internet access.  With a little more setup, they can share files and printers between each other.

If you connect the desktop to the router with ethernet then you do not need an additional network card.  I think you said the desktop already has an ethernet port, in which case it can merely be connected to a port on the router.

 

No need for a USB card for the desktop at that point.  It all happens over the wire.