Ethernet

[normar]

Here is the situation:
I have a laptop currently connected to braodband by a Motorola SB5101 modem. I also have a HP Desktop in another room that does NOT have an ethernet port. It will not connect to broadband by USB port because it won't recognize the Motorola drivers.

I desire to connect desktop by ethernet. What do I need to convert the HP?
I also want to be able to use both computers on the internet at the same time. Lets forget wireless right now.I can put cables under rug. What type of router is necessary.

If I do go to wireless, what do I need for the laptop, a Toshiba, what do I need for the desktop?

I am trying to determine if the cost of the ethernet cables is more or less the the wireless router and the wireless computer adaptors.

Please keep answers simple, I am not a computer whiz!

Thanks,
normar 3231@adelphia.net or
normar3231@netzero.net until I get this mess fixed.

[alx]

hi I'm not sure about the cost of the router and adapters.
If you can run the cables you'll need two cables, a pci ethernet card and a router. this might be cheaper than wireless
If you go wireless you'll need one adapter for the laptop and another for the HP and a wireless router.
You can go to a computer store and they will tell you the prices on these components.
why don't you try to connect using the usb on the laptop and ethernet on the HP.

I have a 2wire modem and two computers networked. One is conected to the modem using USB and the other with an ethernet card. Yes the two computers can be online at the same time.

[Southern]

Hello there,

It's very cheap and easy to set up a home network. AFAIK you can't connect to a LAN using a USB port (unless you have a USB to LAN dongle that I havn't heard of). I think you mean ethernet port, because the LAN cable won't physicalyl fit in the USB slot.

http://www.xe.com for price conversion

Right, if you want to go "wired" all you need is a Router, like the Linksys 5-port I use and a bunch of RJ45-type ethernet cables. You plug your cable modem into the router and then plug your computers via the ethernet ports into the router and get the router to assign IP addresses by DHCP to the machines, which you have set up to look for a DHCP server automatically. The router acts like a server, giving access to the Internet. For your HP machine, all you need is a cheap 10/100 baseT LAN card which you can pick up for almost nothing these days, with drivers included, so you can plug it into the router. A good router is about £20 and cables cost about 70p. Job done.