what hardware do i need for broadband?

[darreni]

Ok, looking at moving to the 21st century & getting broadband, what do i need in terms of hardware (modems filters, etc)

Current pc is older pentium 500mhz, win 98, 8.4 gig drive etc. Just one pc in house, no need for wireless etc.

as in guernsey, we have to use providers here (& no free modem!)

Have been quoted 80 ish quid for modem at local computer shop, but note that dabs.com etc sell broadband modems for £25! will this do the job?

Thanks for any help.

Darren.

[agent006]

Anything that claims to be an ADSL modem will do the job (unless you're getting cable that is).

[Jay-Aim]

depending on your ISP should do

+ filters (1 per phone socket regarless if used for BB or not)

[ultimasimon]

You should also check that either your PC has a network card (100base, with RJ45 connector) or working USB sockets.

If you are only running Win 98, you will need to ensure that USB drivers have been loaded and are working. You can check this in 'Device Manager'.

You will also need an upto date antivirus package and I would strongly recommend a firewall, which you can download for free from Zonelabs.com

As your PC will be permanently connected to the web while switched on, you are at a much greater risk of attack from nasties, and there are some very clever virii doing the rounds at the moment

[FunkyNige]

Jay-Aim said:

depending on your ISP should do + filters (1 per phone socket regarless if used for BB or not)

Make sure you get decent filters, not the £2.99 ones from ebuyer

[darreni]

Yup, i have several working usb sockets.
I current used a regularly updated AVG anti-virus, is this ok for prolonged exposure to the web?

Lastly, i think i need to update my ram as i'm only running 64mb (oi!, stop laughing) but am confused as to which type i need (local shop says there are two types) as the PC was a pc world own brand (patriot), & i can't locate it on any machine specific listings.

[darreni]

Yup, i have several working usb sockets.
I current used a regularly updated AVG anti-virus, is this ok for prolonged exposure to the web?

Lastly, i think i need to update my ram as i'm only running 64mb (oi!, stop laughing) but am confused as to which type i need (local shop says there are two types) as the PC was a pc world own brand (patriot), & i can't locate it on any machine specific listings.

[FunkyNige]

darreni said:

Yup, i have several working usb sockets. I current used a regularly updated AVG anti-virus, is this ok for prolonged exposure to the web?

Not really, you'll need a firewall and some anti-spyware programs (search the computers forum on PH for free progs).

darreni said:

Lastly, i think i need to update my ram as i'm only running 64mb (oi!, stop laughing) but am confused as to which type i need (local shop says there are two types) as the PC was a pc world own brand (patriot), & i can't locate it on any machine specific listings.

Yeah, there's PCI and DDR, as you've only got 64MB I assume you've got PCI (it's older). It will say in your motherboard manual what type you can put in, how much you can put in, and how fast the stuff can be. If you've lost the manual you can just open up the case and look at what you've got already and buy some more of that.

[ultimasimon]

darreni said:

Yup, i have several working usb sockets. I current used a regularly updated AVG anti-virus, is this ok for prolonged exposure to the web? Lastly, i think i need to update my ram as i'm only running 64mb (oi!, stop laughing) but am confused as to which type i need (local shop says there are two types) as the PC was a pc world own brand (patriot), & i can't locate it on any machine specific listings.

AVG 7 is excellent (I am a reseller) AVG 6 is just the older version. As long as your AVG has access to the broadband, you should have no problems.

As for the ram, you could use 128 as a minimum, but is it really worth upgrading when you could get a new XP machine for £200? Win98 has security issues (not that XP doesn't!) but generally the word is XP is more secure (but also needs a much more powerful machine to run it).

Horses for courses

[darreni]

An XP machine for £200? really? are we talking just the software, or an actual computer?

Ok, the manual states that i have 3 onboard DIMM sockets to take 3.3v(unbuffered) SDRAM DIMM modules.
Max total memory supported is 512MB

It then says that the mainboard supports DIMMswith access speeds of 12ns, 10ns or faster. Can anyone translate this into english for me please?.

Darren

[Liszt]

You're after some of these

Memory comes in
EDO -Very old
SDRAM - Oldish
RAMbus - not so old
DDR - not so old

The 10ns is the access speed of the ram, ie 10 nanoseconds, which is damn fast.

PCI is a peripheral interface used for things like sound cards, modems etc.

[ATG]

SDRAM is the type of memory ... the electronic architecture, DIMM is the shape of the memory module's connector, i.e. the type of plug and socket used to plug it into the motherboard. And the access time is the time taken to pull data out of the memory ... 12 nano seconds ,10 or faster.

[roop]

Okay, I know I'm repeating a bit here, but prolly helps if it's all in one go... :

Depending on what type of broadband you are getting (Cable or xDSL) you will need one of two devices. For Cable, you will need a cable modem. This is usually provided by the cable provider as part of your startup package. Make sure it will plug into a USB port, else you will need an Ethernet (network) card in your PC to plug it into instead. USB is easier, much less faffing. For ADSL (or SDSL etc) you will need an ADSL modem and one microfilter for each phone socket that is in use in your house. Get a cheapie modem but a decent microfilter from Dabs or similar - it'll be fine. Most the cheap ADSL modems are USB which is perfect.

Regards memory, you need some DIMMS. With a 500MHz CPU, I expect you will only have a 100MHz FSB (Front Side Bus), but these days 133MHz memory is cheaper and will work just as well (it's better quality anyway) so go with some of that. Again, Dabs will be fine for this. Chuck in a single 128MB stick alongside your existing 64MB which should be adequate. No point binning more £'s on an old machine.

Once you're up and running and have revelled in the speed on your Internet connection for a few minutes, head to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com and get all the patches and fixes you can. It'll take ages to do them all (unless you've been a good boy and kept your PC up to date over dialup ).

AVG anti-virus is very effective and much more efficient that the massiveley heave Norton systems. No problems there then.

Regards firewalls, I always found SyGate Personal Firewall the best free firewall, but I don't think it's free any more so something like the Zone Labs one is fine.

See links :

Memory : www.dabs.com/uk/channels/components/memoryandaccessories/productView.htm?quicklinx=YVG

Modem : www.dabs.com/uk/channels/hardware/modemsandadslhardware/productView.htm?quicklinx=39JB

Microfilter : www.dabs.com/uk/channels/hardware/modemsandadslhardware/productView.htm?quicklinx=2849

Firewall : www.zonelabs.com

[plotloss]

FunkyNige said:

Jay-Aim said: depending on your ISP should do + filters (1 per phone socket regarless if used for BB or not) Make sure you get decent filters, not the £2.99 ones from ebuyer

I bought the 99p ones from ebuyer and 3 years on they are perfect!

Is there any firm evidence as to the reliability of microfilters?

[darreni]

roop said:

Okay, I know I'm repeating a bit here, but prolly helps if it's all in one go... : Depending on what type of broadband you are getting (Cable or xDSL) you will need one of two devices. For Cable, you will need a cable modem. This is usually provided by the cable provider as part of your startup package. Make sure it will plug into a USB port, else you will need an Ethernet (network) card in your PC to plug it into instead. USB is easier, much less faffing. For ADSL (or SDSL etc) you will need an ADSL modem and one microfilter for each phone socket that is in use in your house. Get a cheapie modem but a decent microfilter from Dabs or similar - it'll be fine. Most the cheap ADSL modems are USB which is perfect. Regards memory, you need some DIMMS. With a 500MHz CPU, I expect you will only have a 100MHz FSB (Front Side Bus), but these days 133MHz memory is cheaper and will work just as well (it's better quality anyway) so go with some of that. Again, Dabs will be fine for this. Chuck in a single 128MB stick alongside your existing 64MB which should be adequate. No point binning more £'s on an old machine. Once you're up and running and have revelled in the speed on your Internet connection for a few minutes, head to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com and get all the patches and fixes you can. It'll take ages to do them all (unless you've been a good boy and kept your PC up to date over dialup ). AVG anti-virus is very effective and much more efficient that the massiveley heave Norton systems. No problems there then. Regards firewalls, I always found SyGate Personal Firewall the best free firewall, but I don't think it's free any more so something like the Zone Labs one is fine. See links : Memory : www.dabs.com/uk/channels/components/memoryandaccessories/productView.htm?quicklinx=YVG Modem : www.dabs.com/uk/channels/hardware/modemsandadslhardware/productView.htm?quicklinx=39JB Microfilter : www.dabs.com/uk/channels/hardware/modemsandadslhardware/productView.htm?quicklinx=2849 Firewall : www.zonelabs.com

OK, all ordered! Broadband here i come!
Thanks guys!

[FunkyNige]

plotloss said:

I bought the 99p ones from ebuyer and 3 years on they are perfect! Is there any firm evidence as to the reliability of microfilters?

Filter in - net goes down, filter out - net works. Also tried various combinations of filters in different sockets and it's one dodgy one.