2 PC's on one ISP account?
Discussion
Forgive the numpty question.
I have a pc at home and an account with Virgin for broadband only (not cable). I want to put a second pc in the house linked to the same telephone line. Can I use the same internet account for both? (I'm assuming I could only be online with one machine at once).
Thanks
Paul (Technically illiterate)
I have a pc at home and an account with Virgin for broadband only (not cable). I want to put a second pc in the house linked to the same telephone line. Can I use the same internet account for both? (I'm assuming I could only be online with one machine at once).
Thanks
Paul (Technically illiterate)
As said, you need to use a router. A router is very similar to the sort of telephone system a receptionist might use at a company. The company has one external telephone number that customers call, and the receptionist then directs incoming calls on that one number to any of the salesmen's individual internal telephone lines. The router does the same sort of job. It provides the ISP with the single point of contact the ISP expects to see, and then fans the communication out to the various computers in your home.
I have a Virgin Broadband account and 2 pcs running.
Easy, instead off going down the router route (I have one 2 lazy to set it up though) I just use 2 of the crap, but simple USB broadband modems you get free with any Broadnand Signup. Although it means you can only accsess the internet one at a time, but as there is only one of me it works a treat.
A router would give enable both PCS to get on the net at the same time and swap files between the PCS
Easy, instead off going down the router route (I have one 2 lazy to set it up though) I just use 2 of the crap, but simple USB broadband modems you get free with any Broadnand Signup. Although it means you can only accsess the internet one at a time, but as there is only one of me it works a treat.
A router would give enable both PCS to get on the net at the same time and swap files between the PCS
Its not perfect, but its simpler not having a router when you only want to occasionally access the Net on the 2nd PC. I have seen so many neighbors/friends/family rush out and buy a wireless router and then struggle to set it up and when eventually doing so not correctly enabling the security so any Tom Dick & Harry can jump on their bandwidth.
lilford christie said:
I have a Virgin Broadband account and 2 pcs running.
Easy, instead off going down the router route (I have one 2 lazy to set it up though) I just use 2 of the crap, but simple USB broadband modems you get free with any Broadnand Signup. Although it means you can only accsess the internet one at a time, but as there is only one of me it works a treat.
A router would give enable both PCS to get on the net at the same time and swap files between the PCS
Easy, instead off going down the router route (I have one 2 lazy to set it up though) I just use 2 of the crap, but simple USB broadband modems you get free with any Broadnand Signup. Although it means you can only accsess the internet one at a time, but as there is only one of me it works a treat.
A router would give enable both PCS to get on the net at the same time and swap files between the PCS
I have 2 speedtouch modems. So if I have one plugged in to each machine as long as I only use one pc at a time im ok?
Yep, thats exactly what I do.
One PC upstairs which has a speedtouch plugged into a phone socket, I only use the PC to listen to Net radio at weekends.
My 2nd PC downstairs, has another speedtouch plugged into another phone socket and gets used most days.
Its a simple rather than a perfect solution, a router is the choice if you want to access the net at the same time and share files/printers between the PCS.
One PC upstairs which has a speedtouch plugged into a phone socket, I only use the PC to listen to Net radio at weekends.
My 2nd PC downstairs, has another speedtouch plugged into another phone socket and gets used most days.
Its a simple rather than a perfect solution, a router is the choice if you want to access the net at the same time and share files/printers between the PCS.
Gateway Networks said:
why not just buy a non-wireless router.
no wireless security issues to worry about, and once you setup all of your adsl authentication information in the router, everythnig is just plug&play.
that just sounds like alot of un-neccisary effort going the dual usb modem route.
no wireless security issues to worry about, and once you setup all of your adsl authentication information in the router, everythnig is just plug&play.
that just sounds like alot of un-neccisary effort going the dual usb modem route.
I already have 2 speedtouch modems so I dont need to buy anything. The two pcs are in different parts of the house so if they had to plug into a router that would be a problem? One pc is for the kids to use so they can use it when I'm not there etc..
Plotloss said:
mmertens said:
Wouldn't ICS be the best option here - assuming both PC's have an ethernet connection that would be quick to set up...?
ICS is always the worst option, even if one of the options is voting labour whilst watching a soap opera
Of course. Nevertheless, as OP was looking for a cheap & cheerful way... It's not THAT bad if you don't want to invest much. Unrepentant, ICS is "Internet connection sharing" - built into Win XP, admittedly a bit cr*p but I've used it in the past and it works, sort of. If your PCs have an Ethernet (network) connection, the cash outlay would be a few quid for a UTP cross-cable (ask your friendly IT shop) and a bit of luck with the XP network wizard. You connect the PCs with the cable, connect one of them to ADSL and then you will share the connection between the 2. Obviously the one connected to ADSL must always be on for this trick to work. mmertens said:
Plotloss said:
mmertens said:
Wouldn't ICS be the best option here - assuming both PC's have an ethernet connection that would be quick to set up...?
ICS is always the worst option, even if one of the options is voting labour whilst watching a soap opera
Of course. Nevertheless, as OP was looking for a cheap & cheerful way... It's not THAT bad if you don't want to invest much. Unrepentant, ICS is "Internet connection sharing" - built into Win XP, admittedly a bit cr*p but I've used it in the past and it works, sort of. If your PCs have an Ethernet (network) connection, the cash outlay would be a few quid for a UTP cross-cable (ask your friendly IT shop) and a bit of luck with the XP network wizard. You connect the PCs with the cable, connect one of them to ADSL and then you will share the connection between the 2. Obviously the one connected to ADSL must always be on for this trick to work. The problem with that is the 2 pcs are on opposite sounds of he house. Running cables is not really an option.
been off on a job so couldent reply earlier.
if you combine a pair of Homeplug adapters with a wired router, you save the worry of wondering if your wireless network is secure enough by simply not having the wireless in the first place, and the flexibility of having a network access point wherever you have a plug socket.
but ofcourse, this soloution just like any other that involves buying hardware/cables is going to cost money.
if you combine a pair of Homeplug adapters with a wired router, you save the worry of wondering if your wireless network is secure enough by simply not having the wireless in the first place, and the flexibility of having a network access point wherever you have a plug socket.
but ofcourse, this soloution just like any other that involves buying hardware/cables is going to cost money.
As has already been stated, buy a wireless router for around £55 (I would recomend the Netegar DG834G) and buy it with a USB adapter as part of the package e.g. www.dabs.com/ProductView.aspx?Quicklinx=4HT6&CategorySelectedId=11177&PageMode=1&NavigationKey=11177,50542&InMerch=1
This will provide all that you want if it's simply a case of sharing the internet and simple file sharing. They are very simple to set up (including the security) but if you're not comfortable get a friend in who is. If you have a particularly large house or a number of solid stone/brick walls between the computers then consider a Netgear DG834N and buy a seperate USB adapter.
Regards
Skier
This will provide all that you want if it's simply a case of sharing the internet and simple file sharing. They are very simple to set up (including the security) but if you're not comfortable get a friend in who is. If you have a particularly large house or a number of solid stone/brick walls between the computers then consider a Netgear DG834N and buy a seperate USB adapter.
Regards
Skier
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