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

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Maz

Guru
...but without going wireless.

Is this possible? I don't like wifi - it gives me a mild headache after a while.
Is there a way to wire the 2 machines together? I currently get internet over the copper wire of the phone line.
 
...but without going wireless.

Is this possible? I don't like wifi - it gives me a mild headache after a while.
Is there a way to wire the 2 machines together? I currently get internet over the copper wire of the phone line.

Yes, its possible, I forget what the cable is called but you just link directly to the modem/router. In fact the virgin system comes that way and you have to pay extra for wireless.

Just remembered the name an Ethernet Cable
 

Bman

Guru
Location
Herts.
In order to connect two computers to the internet using one modem, you will need a router.

What kind of connection (and equipment) do you have?
 

rusky

CC Addict
Location
Hove
Your router/modem will have more then one ethernet port.

Not necessarily, my Dad's old ADSL modem had 3 connections, one for the phone line & either a USB or ethernet port to the PC.

What is the make & model of the modem connected between the PC & phone socket?
 
I suspect your headache is psychosomatic as there is nothing in wireless signals that would give you a headache and your house probably is already awash with wireless signal from neighbours wireless systems. If not, when you walk down the street you will be.

Having said that all you need is an ADSL connection from your phone company or ISP, a router and ethernet cables to connect your router to the computer and laptop. If you want to extend it to other rooms without wireless then you can get adapters that plug into your mains sockets and send the signals through the household electrical wiring. One next to and connected to your router and one in each room that you want to connect a computer will do the job.
 

soulful dog

Veteran
Location
Glasgow
I suspect your headache is psychosomatic as there is nothing in wireless signals that would give you a headache and your house probably is already awash with wireless signal from neighbours wireless systems.
I tend to get a mild headache when the wireless connection on my laptop is switched on. It doesn't happen instantly, but prolonged use does give me a headache, and it pretty much goes away as soon as I disconnect. It's weird. I don't generally suffer headaches, and don't notice it if I am just in the same room as someone using a wireless connection, only when I'm using the laptop myself.
 
OP
OP
Maz

Maz

Guru
In order to connect two computers to the internet using one modem, you will need a router.

What kind of connection (and equipment) do you have?
Hi
The modem I've got is one that came from TalkTalk.
One of these boys:
rear.jpg

As you can see, there's only one ethernet socket.
So how do I get a 2nd ethernet connected to the modem for the laptop?
What sort of router do i need?
 
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.
 

slowmotion

Quite dreadful
Location
lost somewhere
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.

Good luck.
 

thnurg

Rebel without a clue
Location
Clackmannanshire
You have two choices. Either get an ADSL router and replace the TalkTalk beast with it, or use Internet Connection sharing. This will involve having more than one ethernet adaptor on your PC. You plug a wire from one ethernet socket into your TalkTalk modem, and a wire from the laptop into the other ethernet socket on the PC. You can then configure the PC to share its internet connection with the laptop.
Getting a second ethernet adaptor is as simple as buying an ethernet card on ebay or the like and plugging it into one of the expansion ports on your PCs motherboard. Only go this route if you are comfortable mucking about with the innards of your PC.

Personally I think getting a new router with more than one ethernet connection would be the best option as the other one may be a little cheaper but a lot more faffy. Get something like this:

http://www.ebuyer.com/263577-tp-link-adsl-modem-router-4-port-switch-td-8840t

It's called a router because of what it does to data that is sent to it. If you have more than one computer on the network then when a computer sends requests or data to another one, the router works out if the data should be sent to another machine on the network, or down the ADSL connection to your internet service provider. Therefore the router "routes" the information by deciding which route to send it and then sending it on its way. Once at your ISP their big scary expensive routers "route" the information to other ISPs and eventually to the correct destination.
 
OP
OP
Maz

Maz

Guru
A couple of dumb-ass questions:

1. Are 'modem' and 'router' synonymous or are they different things?
2. If I get a router with more than one ethernet port, will it need configuring when I swap it out for the old modem, or will the router be plug-and-pray?
 
A couple of dumb-ass questions:

1. Are 'modem' and 'router' synonymous or are they different things?
2. If I get a router with more than one ethernet port, will it need configuring when I swap it out for the old modem, or will the router be plug-and-pray?

They are different but often combined in one box. The router routes the signals to and from their network destination. The modem connects the router to the phone lines. The new router should be plug and pray.
 
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