I've just got my Dell laptop out the box and thought I'd have a little play with it.

I'm with cable on a broadband modem but for the life of me, I cant work out how to connect to the internet

Any ideas or suggestions in how to kick start it off, pretty please

**I forgot to mention that I connect via the net through usb**

 

I know you said USB, but do you not have an Ethernet port in the cable modem, then you don't need to install the modem on the laptop, just plug in and away you go.

If not, then see in Device Manager if the modem is installed properly, failing that, rerun the install CD and try again.

Apologies if you've done that already!!!!

Cheers

Matt

 

USB? get yourself a crossover ethernet cable, its much easier and faster!

you'll need your original NTL CD for the cable modem drivers (unless you use the ethernet cable, NO fuss)


plus in modem, remoot modem (pull power out) and then internet works

 

So whats the difference between USB & Ethernet and what the hell does the cable or whatever it is look like

I'm looking to do them both Wi Fi when I can either get round to it or to bribe someone to come round and do it for me as I'm really useless when it comes to this kind of thing I'd prefer to buy all the right bits now if that makes sense

 

I have NO idea how to do this sort of stuff but if you want someone else to blame/break stuff instead of yourself, I'm willing to come round and have a go mate

 

That may be the "get out of jail" card I've been looking for

 

I'll bring my "tool box".

I don't know why I call it a box, it's just a 10 lb club hammer.

 

I already have one here

 

Netgear WGR614 (wireless router)

buy that, i KNOW it'll work with cable, and it works well

 

Ethernet u just plug in and it works, what all networking etc use to connect PCs up as its faster than USB.

USB powers off ur PC/laptop and slows it down in alot of cases and as said you'll need drivers etc toget it to work whereas ethernet u wont as the drivers would have been installed when XP was

Plus with ethernet you can add a router etc where as USB u cant!!

 

Thanks Jim

Do I need any cards or anything like that or is just a plug and play jobbie for both my base and laptop?

 

and thats what the cables like btw!! usually longer thou

 

Toe Knee


Thanks bud I dont think I have one of those knocking around ...

 

the router will come with a cable. you'll need one more to go router-> pc

theyre about 50p each

 

No probs, also if you wanted the run them both wifi the laptop has to have it on it to work or you'll have to get a wireless PCMCIA card for it, same goes for the PC as most dont have it unless its a newer one but for that you'll need a wireless PCI card!!!!

But with that router you can hardwire it up aswell as wifi!! same with most they cater for both

 

why run a desktop PC wirelessly

 

cos he can

 

jim i wish all this wireless crap was cheeper back when i got my house! I had to run dam cables everywhere,

tho do they do wireless monitors yet, mines on a 10 meter cable