Hello. I am hoping someone can tell me in simple terms, if possible, what cable, etc. I need to hook up my old PC to the internet, going through my new PC. Here is my situation: New PC is Dell with WinXP on the main floor. Old PC is Dell with Win98SE directly below in the basement. ISP is DSL with a modem currently running on the new PC. What all do I have to do/buy to wire the old PC up to the internet? I prefer wired now, but one day may go wireless. Thanks a lot. Tom
2 choices. 1. You buy a second network card for your primary PC, which will connect to the second PC. NOT recommended. 2. You purchase a router...router plugs into the modem, then both computers plug into it via ethernet cable. Alternatively, there are devices which plug into your electrical outlets and give you RJ45 (network) plugs...to eliminate having to run more cable. Basically you'd put these by your router and in the rooms w/ the PC's. These will be SLOWER than dedicated wires though.
Like he said, install an extra PCI ethernet card.... You may have one already built into your Mother board.... and running a Cross-Over (orange) ethernet cable between computers...now a cross over cable isnt worth buying... use a regular ethernet cable (any other color but orange) plus a cross over adapter ($3.99).. this way if you go the superior way of using a router you'll have a good ethernet cable already. most Wireless Routers have ethernet cable outlets in the back of them already and cost about the same as regular routers...be sure to disable the wireless feature when using and when you decide to go wireless make sure you encypt. good luck
Thanks for the quick replies. So, if I understand, I have to buy a router (like a Linksys Wireless-G for $50, or MaxG 125Mbps on sale for $20 at CompUSA), and I need two ethernet cables running from the router to each computer? I already have one yellow cable the ISP provided that I hope I can use. So, is it that simple? If so, any router recommendations? Thanks again. Tom
I'll try to diagram it for you...sort of It'll look like this: cable comes in | plugs into modem via primary DSL link (phone line) | modem plugs into router via ethernet cable (the one they gave you) | computers plug into the router, each with 1 cable Total of 3 pieces of ethernet cable required. I always recommend Linksys and DLink routers above all others, simply for the availability of support online from other users and their compatability with just about everything.
Thanks for all of the help. I am now wired after buying an Ethernet card ($10 after $5 rebate at Office Depot), Ethernet cable ($20), and the USRobotics modem ($20 after $40 rebate). ZerOink, thanks for the tip about turning off the wireless function. I would not have thought of that so my wires would have given me a false sense of security. Now, my only problem appears to be that I must need to do something to Outlook Express on the old computer to make it work right like it does on the new computer. Thanks again. Tom
