how to get internet on PC and laptop at home...

[Maz]

Thanks for the replies, everyone.

 

[thnurg]

They are sometimes the same and sometimes not. Most people who have ADSL will have a router that has a built-in ADSL modem. You can get routers that do not have the ADSL modem.

Actually, looking at my advice above there may be a simpler solution for you. Simply get a four port ethernet switch and plug an ethernet cable between it and each of your devices (laptop, pc, talktalk modem). This means you have an extra device plugged into the wall but is a simpler solution than getting a replacement router.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Network-S...puting_NetworkSwitches_RL&hash=item2c5745915c

If you get a replacement router then you will have to configure it with your talktalk username and password. It should come with instructions on how to do this but it can be a little daunting if you have no experience with this sort of thing.

 

[rusky]

They are sometimes the same and sometimes not. Most people who have ADSL will have a router that has a built-in ADSL modem. You can get routers that do not have the ADSL modem.

Actually, looking at my advice above there may be a simpler solution for you. Simply get a four port ethernet switch and plug an ethernet cable between it and each of your devices (laptop, pc, talktalk modem). This means you have an extra device plugged into the wall but is a simpler solution than getting a replacement router.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Network-S...puting_NetworkSwitches_RL&hash=item2c5745915c

If you get a replacement router then you will have to configure it with your talktalk username and password. It should come with instructions on how to do this but it can be a little daunting if you have no experience with this sort of thing.

The switch will not have a DHCP server so the op would need to set static IPs but I don't know how the modem would work with that.

 

[fossyant]

This is what I used to do before I get the wireless router with two PC's.

ADSL Modem connected to main PC via the USB

PC 2 connected via ethernet LAN cable to other Main PC Ethernet port (you need a straight through cable when connecting 2 PC's together) - most wthernet cables are cross over (this means wire 1 ends up as wire 8 for example)

Then enable Internet connection sharing on the main PC, then run it through the second PC's network settings. You'll need just to set manual IP on each though, although I think the Internet Connection Sharing Wizard sorts it.

 

[thnurg]

The switch will not have a DHCP server so the op would need to set static IPs but I don't know how the modem would work with that.

It won't, but I bet the talktalk modem has.

 

[soulful dog]

The wireless won't be doing that and you will be saturated with wireless signal regardless of whether yours in on or off. I would be inclined to look at things like your posture when you are sat at your laptop to see if something like that is causing your problem.

My wild guess is that your headaches are due to eye strain. As others have said, if you live in an urban environment, all you neighbours' wifi networks will be washing through your house anyway.

I don't know about Maz, but I'm pretty sure the headache is related to the wi-fi. I'll reiterate it's only from prolonged use in close proximity to the laptop with the wi-fi connection on. I've been sitting in the same room with someone else using the wireless internet on their laptop and not had any issues with that.

Also, yes I do stay in a city, but I spent a week up in Loch Awe in a pretty remote area this summer, and still had the same experience. It's not eye strain because when I turn the wi-fi off, the headache disappears despite me still using the laptop.

I'm intrigued, is it really such a strange idea that the wireless signal could be causing a mild headache?

 

[Maz]

They are sometimes the same and sometimes not. Most people who have ADSL will have a router that has a built-in ADSL modem. You can get routers that do not have the ADSL modem.

Actually, looking at my advice above there may be a simpler solution for you. Simply get a four port ethernet switch and plug an ethernet cable between it and each of your devices (laptop, pc, talktalk modem). This means you have an extra device plugged into the wall but is a simpler solution than getting a replacement router.

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item2c5745915c

If you get a replacement router then you will have to configure it with your talktalk username and password. It should come with instructions on how to do this but it can be a little daunting if you have no experience with this sort of thing.

Thanks.
So hopefully, the 4-port ethernet switch will do the trick.
I looked at the ebay link...the thing is a plug-n-play, so should not need configuring.

w.r.t. the headaches - I dont have wireless in my house. My bros do and i always get a mild headache at their houses [nothing to do with the company nor if the kids are noisy, mind].