Cable modem question

[eurolarva]

Could sure use some help. I can not get DSL on my phone (phone company says it is not available) my dial up runs at 28.8K downhill with a good tail wind. I have two computers both pentium 3 and 4. I am having a cable modem installed however the cable company says only one computer can run off of this. They recommend a network. How hard is this to do. One computer is upstairs and one is down stairs. The entire house is finished with sheet rock ceilings in basement. Any ideas on how to solve this would be appriecated.

 

[SlowlySinking]

Re: Cable modem question

Sure, use a wireless router/switch system, works great, no wires, no holes, and they are getting cheaper all the time, you can use an unlimited number of computers without paying an additional penny to your cable company. With WIN XP it's truly plug and play, not plug and pray. Other options include Home phone line networking or Home power line networking.

 

[eurolarva]

Re: Cable modem question

Thanks slowly sinking. Went to best buy and that looks like the best solution. If they can put the cable close to one of the computers I only have to buy the router and one card. If the cable has to be installed on other end of house I will need two cards plus router. The whole thing can be done for under 200 bucks and the nice thing is an idiot such as myself can do it.

 

[Homerr]

Re: Cable modem question

Don't forget to check EBay for some of the network stuff.<br /><br />Lots of folks upgrade for one reason or another and dump their perfectly good working hardware for dirt cheap.<br /><br />I bought a D-Link router that has a print server so anyone on the network can use the printer without a dedicated PC.<br />Dunno if they have something like this in a wireless form.<br /><br />The only problem I have with wireless stuff (in a big city) is that a talented hacker can tap into your wireless system and wreak havoc. <br />I seen a program on TV that showed how they do it. It was right in Washington DC too!<br /><br />The hacker drove around in his car and within minutes he found several wireless nodes. He said he could hack into any one of them within seconds.<br /><br />No sir...I'll hard-wire whenever possible!<br /><br />Good Luck,<br /><br />H.

 

[eurolarva]

Re: Cable modem question

Tried bidding on a few wireless routers but kept loosing bids. Found that after shipping charges the price was about the same as buying one new. I noticed that the 2.4 ghz units advertise both 11Mb/sec and the more expensive ones go to 54Mb/sec. The cable I am getting is advertising 1.5Mb/sec. I am hoping the 11 is fast enough. Is there some kind of hidden value here. I know on a dial up that runs at 28.8K the download speed is only like 3K/ second. Do I need to go with the more expensive 54 meg unit?

 

[roscoe]

Re: Cable modem question

I can't believe your cable company doesn't offer a setup like this for sale. They do around here. Unfortunately I live 2 miles away from cable.<br />I'm stuck with 2-way satellite, $58/month.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Cable modem question

I told you last night.<br />Get a 9" drill bit and have at it.

 

[wikelam]

Re: Cable modem question

I have a cable modem hooked up to a Lynksis router. From the router i have my two PC's hooked up to it. Got the cards and installed them my self. Have a network card and a wireless card for my laptop. Use the direct link mostly, unless i want to go out to the garage and work on the boat and ask questions here on these forums.<br /><br />Linksys Wireless router $80<br />2 network cards $20<br />Direct network card $30<br />Wirless card $50<br />Etherned cables $30<br /><br />As for the hackers on the wireless networks, yes it is possible, but it is also possible on direct link networks also. the cost can add up real fast. But i am planning on using one of the pcs for a server for my website. so the cost are acceptable to me. got most of this at Walmart. the wireless runs at 11mb can download at about 250k/sec

 

[Ralph 123]

Re: Cable modem question

The only problem I have with wireless stuff (in a big city) is that a talented hacker can tap into your wireless system and wreak havoc

Let's just say I know some people who piggyback off other people cable connections who have wireless networks Not me, I have hardwired DSL for about 4 years. Cable company just started offering ISP services.<br /><br />During the gold rush 4 years ago there were so many companies fighting for customers it was silly. They had to run fiber optics from the CO )central Office) to my house to give me DSL - it cost me nothing! I bet they still haven't recouped the cost... ah the good old days!

 

[eurolarva]

Re: Cable modem question

Sure took a long time to get this set up. Got cable modem and took SlowlySinkings advise and went with a router and a wireless connection for computer downstairs. Man this is cool. Only word I can use for it is zoooooommmmmmmmm. Was at 28.8K on dial up and am now running almost 1.5M on the wireless computer. I bought the linksy router and an adapter for the pc that plugs into a USB port. Total costs for both was around 120 bucks. I looked at ebay but found that after shipping the cost was about the same as a new one. Just wanted to thank the members here for your help.

 

[SlowlySinking]

Re: Cable modem question

Real glad it worked for you too, I love it. I suggest you change the default passwords to avoid someone using your wireless system to access your computer and the internet for free, or worse, damaging/stealing/snooping your files. It's real easy and the software and antenna data are available on the net, just search on Pringles Antenna or try this link http://www.netscum.com/~clapp/wireless.html <br />