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hi could anyone tell me what I need to connect a second pc to my broadband connection -- main pc downstairs and 2nd one upstair - i do not have a phone socket at present upstair? any help would be great
hi could anyone tell me what I need to connect a second pc to my broadband connection -- main pc downstairs and 2nd one upstair - i do not have a phone socket at present upstair? any help would be great
You either need a phone socket upstairs (either an extension or get BT to fit a permanent point) and a second Broadband modem (or if your modem is USB you could just swap it between the two PCs), or you need to buy an ADSL Router and set up a home network.
The former means you can only have one computer connected at a time, the latter means both are connected simultaneously.
I have the latter, with a wireless ADSL-router (http://www.dabs.com/uk/channels/hardware/networking/productView.htm?quicklinx=33wd) and wireless network cards in my PCs (http://www.dabs.com/uk/channels/hardware/networking/productView.htm?quicklinx=36YM) and laptops (http://www.dabs.com/uk/channels/hardware/networking/productView.htm?quicklinx=24JQ). It's not too difficult to set up (took me about twenty minutes for the router and five minutes per PC/laptop) so if you aren’t too sure about doing it yourself and you've got a mate who's in the know, it's only worth one pint – no matter how much the try and convince you otherwise ;)
if your modem is usb and you have network ports on both PCs then you could just buy a crossover network cable to connect both PCs together and then use "Internet Connection Sharing" on the PC with the modem to allow the other access to the internet.
If you are using windows XP, there is a wizard that will set up both PCs for you (second PC is configured by a disk created by the wizard or if its XP you can run the wizard on that and it will self-configure)
You can get the cable here:
http://www.dabs.com/uk/channels/hardware/networking/productView.htm?quicklinx=18LY
if your modem is usb and you have network ports on both PCs then you could just buy a crossover network cable to connect both PCs together…
Doable, but…
…main pc downstairs and 2nd one upstair…
If you can't find a crossover long enough in the shops then you can get one custom made (Up to 100 meters I think) by anybody who does network installs… I don't know if any of the computer shops in Caithness do, but I'm sure you can get one mail order if you look hard enough :)
I have a crossover adapter that allows two normal patch cables to be used, drop me a PM if you want it!
The computer shop in Thurso next to Atlanta sports will make you up a Cross Over cable.
Caledonia
15-Apr-05, 16:16
There are a few ways of cracking this nut.
Depends on your budget, and your current modem type and how convenient it would be to tunnel through you walls!
This ultimately dictates how you go ahead.
Cheapest?
Network cable.
This means that the downstairs pc will have to be on for anyone to get access from upstairs.
MEASURE THE LENGTH YOU NEED AND COST IT ONLINE, SHOULDN'T BE MORE THAN £10 total if you get one locally, (you can get a 20M one with moulded plugs for less than £7 on Ebay).
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=58302&item=5766117879&rd=1
Cheap(ish)?
You could buy a couple of PCI wireless Ethernet cards (around £30 including postage on Ebay) or USB adapters (£35 for two on Ebay) to network the machines.
Same result as the cable option but without the mess of cabling. Again, the downstairs machine will have to be on for the upstairs to connect.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=45002&item=5767693357&rd=1
Still cheap: and the ‘ideal’ solution? (Unless you want to run a Firewire network, I did but I like to edit video on my attic based noisy fire breathing mega beast from my silent workstation!)
A wireless router…
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=44997&item=5767431529&rd=1
In conjunction with a USB adapter…
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=45002&item=5767530614&rd=1
That is a total of around £50 for a nice wee ‘fast’ solution, fast enough even to move some files around too, as well as your net connection!
The USB adapter gives you flexibility so that if you get have a laptop or need to set up a connection on a different pc you can just plug’n’play.
(If need to share files faster for another £20 or so you could get equivalent gear in 108Mbps flavour.)
Meantime one of your mates will have an old network hub and a couple of long cables, believe me, just ask around!
;)
~~Tides~~
15-Apr-05, 16:24
Didnt want to start a new thread since were on a computery subject, any way:
Im wanting to buy a new RAM card for my computor because i think it nackered. Getting it in is no problem but is it a case of simply pulling out the old one and bunging in the new one or do they need formatted and installed?
Thanks for any advice...
So long as you get the right sort of chip it's just a case of pull it out and put a new one in (be careful handling it - don't touch the pins or the surface of the board, only hold it by the edges... better yet, make sure you are earthed to avoid static buildup). Check the documentation/manufacterer's website for the type of memory you need.
~~Tides~~
15-Apr-05, 16:56
I have an AMD duron processor so does that mean I have to buy DDR-RAM. Am I right? Or there other factors?
for memory, best to check out what model your motherboard is and check with the manufacturers website (unless you have manual) they usually have a list of the supported memory types.
for getting ur internet upstairs try wanadoo wirelss.u dont even need a telephone line upstairs and u can be on the internet on both computers at same time.as long as u have higher than windows 98.
I have an AMD duron processor so does that mean I have to buy DDR-RAM. Am I right? Or there other factors?
If you can find out the make and model of your motherboard then try going to - http://www.crucial.com/uk/ They have a very easy memory finder that will tell you what type of memory you need.
~~Tides~~
15-Apr-05, 19:01
Cheers fot that.
SandTiger
15-Apr-05, 21:04
Cheers fot that.
Try the Belarc link on the crucial page - or just go to http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html. It will give you all the info you are after ;)
The fortnightly magazine Computer active out this week has a cover article....Wireless made easy.....about wireless networks - What to buy and how to install it. It tests a selection of wireless routers and has a Mini Workshop - Set up your network.
The computer shop in Thurso next to Atlanta sports will make you up a Cross Over cable.
Hi Donnie,
Don't suppose you know what the shop's called, do you? I've found myself trying to track down a 30m cross-over in Thurso too :)
SandTiger
18-Apr-05, 17:32
Here ya go - http://www.gametime.ltd.uk/
Also there is Highland Computers Services
SUTTAR & BRUCE
WILSON STREET
THURSO, CAITHNESS KW148AQ
01847 891 899
The computer shop in Thurso next to Atlanta sports will make you up a Cross Over cable.
Hi Donnie,
Don't suppose you know what the shop's called, do you? I've found myself trying to track down a 30m cross-over in Thurso too :)
Um i'm not 100% sure but I think it might be something like Game Time. I've only been in once before and that was last year to get a cross over cable made up. I think the shop is still there, it's the one where all the kids go to rent time on the PCs and play games.
~~Tides~~
18-Apr-05, 18:02
Hi, me again.
Said earlier about my memory needs changed. I cant find what type of memory it needs, it doesnt tell me on my computor and no internet scans can detect it??? What to do?
SandTiger
18-Apr-05, 18:06
Tides, use Belarc and post what the motherboard details (make & model) are which will be shown in the right hand column at the start of the page
~~Tides~~
18-Apr-05, 19:25
It Says:
Main Curcuit Board:
Board: 8363-686A
Bus Clock: 100 megahertz
BIOS: Award Software International, Inc. 6.00 PG 08/07/2002
And For Bus Adaptors:
VIA Tech 3038 PCI to USB Universal Host Controller
VIA Tech 3038 PCI to USB Universal Host Controller
Memory Modules c,d:
256 Megabytes Installed Memory
Slot 'BANK_0' has 256 MB
Slot 'BANK_1' is Empty
Slot 'BANK_2' is Empty
Slot 'BANK_3' is Empty
Thanks SandTiger & Donnie :)
8363-686A
that is an abit KT7 series board, not sure which one though.
Most of them take PC-133 SDRAM which I think I might have a spare RAM chip for.
SandTiger
19-Apr-05, 01:08
Yep it's based on the via chipset so don't forget to get the latest drivers over at http://www.viaarena.com/default.aspx?PageID=2 to also increase the pereformance :)
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