Sir T Fireball Posted May 22, 2004 Report Share Posted May 22, 2004 I have AOL dsl and use the BT Voyager modem supplied by AOL. I want to network my laptop to the desktop pc but have a problem (I think) :unsure: Am I right in assuming that my modem needs to have an ethernet socket in order to connect to a router? The Voyager modem doesn't appear to have one, so could I use another dsl modem with my AOL connection or am I stuck until I change my ISP :huh: Ta muchly in advance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Posted May 22, 2004 Report Share Posted May 22, 2004 If the PC has an ethernet card, then all you need is a hub or a crossover cable. Connect the two computers. On the computer with the connection to the net, share the connection, then on the laptop set it up to use DHCP. Shouldn't be a problem unless AOL has some strange, wierd, unusual, stupid, dumb, requirement or limitation to sharing an internet connection. :rolleyes: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir T Fireball Posted May 22, 2004 Author Report Share Posted May 22, 2004 Thanks Bruce :) Have found this link and am gonna read up on it http://www.the-scream.co.uk/forums/t12323.html Seems I can fix things so that I don't have to load AOL in order to get a connection too B) Fantastic news :P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djohn Posted May 22, 2004 Report Share Posted May 22, 2004 Been that way for the past three months Sir T. You can just use your username/password to log onto AOL without installing the software and AOL will also work with any router for networking. It aways could be networked but had to be done through a proxy. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agent Smith Posted May 23, 2004 Report Share Posted May 23, 2004 I have AOL dsl and use the BT Voyager modem supplied by AOL. I want to network my laptop to the desktop pc but have a problem (I think) :unsure: Am I right in assuming that my modem needs to have an ethernet socket in order to connect to a router? The Voyager modem doesn't appear to have one, so could I use another dsl modem with my AOL connection or am I stuck until I change my ISP :huh:Hi Sir T, as Bruce has already pointed out, it would be possible for you to network your laptop to your PC and share the broadband connection using ICS. However, I think you will find it far more convenient to use a router and have independent connections.Your best bet, would be to buy a router with a built in modem, and you may even wish to consider one with a wireless access point as well, so that you could connect from your laptop from around the house.One example of such a device, is the Netgear DG834GThis would give you the advantage of being able to connect your machines to the internet without the need for both to be on, to easily network them, and to have the added security that one of these routers will add to your connection.Mr. M. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir T Fireball Posted May 23, 2004 Author Report Share Posted May 23, 2004 oops! I have just taken delivery of a Belkin router that somebody else suggested :blush: Guess I'll be asking them if they'll let me exchange it :blush: Would this do the same job as the netgear item? Router/Modem I definitely want a wireless connection and the ability to use the remote laptop without needing the base pc switched on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agent Smith Posted May 23, 2004 Report Share Posted May 23, 2004 It would appear to be capable of doing the job, however, there is no technical information at all for the product, not even a brand name :( so I can only go on the brief description.You could always stick with the product you have ordered, and simply get a cheap modem with an ethernet output.Mr. M. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Posted May 23, 2004 Report Share Posted May 23, 2004 The only reason I suggested a hub, switch or crossover cable is because he said his modem only had a USB connection. That would mean plugging the router into the PC anyways, so why not save the expense and just get a switch/hub, or crossover cable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agent Smith Posted May 23, 2004 Report Share Posted May 23, 2004 Bruce, you argument is valid, however as Sir T points out, he wishes to be able to use the laptop without the pc being on, to do this, it is much easier with a router.Also, in the UK, the prices of basic routers have fallen to little more than a switch, so if you were going to get a switch (hubs are pretty much redundant now), you may as well pay the extra and go for a router.Mr. M. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir T Fireball Posted May 25, 2004 Author Report Share Posted May 25, 2004 Can I start again please - and I will provide more info this time :P I have a desktop pcOS = Windows XP homeISP = AOL BroadbandModem = BT Voyager ModemI have a laptopOS = Windows XP homeBelkin PCMCIA CardI have a wireless router - Belkin 802.11bWhat do I need to replace (and or) purchase to make a wireless network between my desktop and laptop. Preferably a connection that does not require the base unit (desktop) to be powered up in order to access the internet with my laptop.Sorry if I'm being more dense than usual :rolleyes:edit: I have just logged into AOL live help chat - and their operative tells me that I can only connect to AOL if using a modem/router supplied by them?edit #2: Seems that operative number 2 says I can use any modem/router, but that they only offer support on their products - slippery sods Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djohn Posted May 25, 2004 Report Share Posted May 25, 2004 Yep! any old router will do But as to the rest of your question I'll leave to the others. When I was with AOL up till July of last year my son's laptop was connected through my desktop this way and either could access without the other being on but it was a tech. friend of mine who did the setup.This setup had been running for a year prior to last July when AOL said it would not work let alone offer advice. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir T Fireball Posted May 27, 2004 Author Report Share Posted May 27, 2004 Woohoooo just found out that my 12 months expired 3 weeks ago. Who do I sign up with now. Preferably 1mb connection :wohoo: :cheers2: :rockon: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djohn Posted May 27, 2004 Report Share Posted May 27, 2004 I'm with Zen www.zen.co.uk have been for the past 6 months since leaving AOL.Vast increase in speed, no problems of any kind and they will have you up and running within 3 days of sign up. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir T Fireball Posted May 28, 2004 Author Report Share Posted May 28, 2004 Ta, will take a look :) Zen - like the name, kinda suits my personality :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djohn Posted May 28, 2004 Report Share Posted May 28, 2004 You can do a "Migration" of your service from one provider to the other. For this to work don't cancel your current contract, contact your new ISP and request a migration of service.Your new provider will take care of everything and what happens is, instead of your current provider disconnecting you which can take up to 10 days then the 3 to 10 days of new provider sorting you out. With a migration, the BT engineer calls at the exchange and swaps you from one to the other and your off-line for only 15-20 minutes. Also the activation fee is cheaper because of the engineer only being called out the once. :) j. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agent Smith Posted May 29, 2004 Report Share Posted May 29, 2004 What do I need to replace (and or) purchase to make a wireless network between my desktop and laptop. Preferably a connection that does not require the base unit (desktop) to be powered up in order to access the internet with my laptop.The parts you require are as follows,An ADSL modem with an ethernet output to connect to your routerand (If not already fitted) an Network card and cable to connect your existing pc to the router.Mr. M. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir T Fireball Posted May 30, 2004 Author Report Share Posted May 30, 2004 Mr M, Djohn & Bruce; thanks for the help :) I don't have a network card in my PC. Never realised I needed one of those :rolleyes: Have a card (pcmciamcpia thingy) for my laptop though and will go purchase a card for the pc tomorrow. The cable connecting the pc to router is a standard cable I assume? The nice chappies at Maplins will know what I need by your description I hope :P Again, thanks all.Andyedit: Checked the boxed router and a cable (RJ45 Ethernet Network Cable) comes with it. Is this the cable you refer to? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir T Fireball Posted May 31, 2004 Author Report Share Posted May 31, 2004 Me again :P Bearing in mind that I have a belkin 802.11b router and matching pcmcia card for the laptop. Can anyone suggest which network card I should purchase - preferably from Maplins as that is where I shall be on Sunday :) pci or usb? brand? colour? general spec :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agent Smith Posted May 31, 2004 Report Share Posted May 31, 2004 The cable supplied with the router should be OK for connecting to your pc, however you may need another cable for your new modem (I would have a good bet that the new modem does not come with a cable).As for the ethernet card, I personally would go for an internal Pci card, but if you feel uncomfortable opening your pc and installing one, then a usb device should be fine. As for brand, it really makes very little difference. All the big names produce very cheap reliable cards.Mr. M. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir T Fireball Posted May 31, 2004 Author Report Share Posted May 31, 2004 Thanks again guys. I now have all the parts required to set up my little network B) Mr M, I have left a key under the mat. Pop around and install it all whenever you want - just keep the noise down if I am in bed :P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir T Fireball Posted May 31, 2004 Author Report Share Posted May 31, 2004 got main PC to access internet via new modem/router :) Am having trouble configuring laptop wireless card. Looked at another site and saw this... make sure all MTU (router and PC) are 1400.What is/are MTU and how/where do I look to change it/them? :ph34r: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djohn Posted May 31, 2004 Report Share Posted May 31, 2004 MTU = Maximum Transmission Unit.There you are, all explained now. :lol: Have a look at this page and see if it helps.http://compnetworking.about.com/library/gl...y/bldef-mtu.htmAlso have taken this little bit of info from "Webpedia"MTUShort for Maximum Transmission Unit, the largest physical packet size, measured in bytes, that a network can transmit. Any messages larger than the MTU are divided into smaller packets before being sent. Every network has a different MTU, which is set by the network administrator. On Windows 95, you can also set the MTU of your machine. This defines the maximum size of the packets sent from your computer onto the network. Ideally, you want the MTU to be the same as the smallest MTU of all the networks between your machine and a message's final destination. Otherwise, if your messages are larger than one of the intervening MTUs, they will get broken up (fragmented), which slows down transmission speeds. Trial and error is the only sure way of finding the optimal MTU, but there are some guidelines that can help. For example, the MTU of many PPP connections is 576, so if you connect to the Internet via PPP, you might want to set your machine's MTU to 576 too. Most Ethernet networks, on the other hand, have an MTU of 1500, which is the default MTU setting for Windows 95. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir T Fireball Posted May 31, 2004 Author Report Share Posted May 31, 2004 errmmm...thanks :huh: I surrender and am gonna call in someone methinks :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djohn Posted May 31, 2004 Report Share Posted May 31, 2004 No! Too early to surrender. Mr. M. will sort you on this better than I can explain it. Although I had a network with AOL it was done for me so although I understand it a little, it's not enough to be able to explain to others. :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir T Fireball Posted May 31, 2004 Author Report Share Posted May 31, 2004 :D ok I'll stick with it for an hour or so :) I have 100% signal strength and 100% link quality on the laptop. Just can't get it to connect to the net :unsure: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.