Is this the right forum? Internet Connection {mark59}

Thanks for the replies guys but still not sure. It may be a software issue or a networking one or to be honest it's probably both.

I'll tell you want I want to do and you can may be help me or pass me on to the right sub-forum.

I have a PC with Windows XP HE SP3 which is connected to the net via an ASDL broadband modem (Thomson Speedtouch 330) over my telephone line. When I joined my ISP (Directsave Telecom), they sent the modem and a CD with the necessary software.

Now, I've bought my laptop I want to access the net with the same provider. The laptop has a built-in modem. So, how can I set my laptop up to access the net through the same ISP. Not sure if their CD is any use for the laptop because that's got Vista and obviously a different modem.

Will someone in my house be able to log onto the net on the PC and someone else on the laptop at the same time.

I must sound really dopey asking these basic questions

Thanks :confused

 

Unless your broadband modem has multiple ethernet connections, normally you would buy a router that would allow you to share the single connection. The modem would plug into the router and the router would have multiple connections available. Yes, you should be able to use both at the same time without issue.

 

Ideas:

I have used Internet Connection Sharing to connect a computer to the PC with the working modem via network.

Alternatively, you could get a router and attach the modem to it (or use one with an ASDL modem included), so the PC and laptop get Internet independently. (Your modem may be a router, as I see the previous post says.)

Also, laptop modems are often dial-up, so you can get connection through a phone when you are somewhere without broadband (if your ISP has a number for that purpose.) Dial-up modems won't work well with ASDL phone lines, if at all. They're for traditional lines.

 

The Thomson Speedtouch 330 is a USB only modem. With no Ethernet connections.
So you can't plug in a router, which is the easy and preferred method.

You might be able to set up ICS (internet connection sharing) on one PC and use both
through the one connection to the Modem.
You can check out ICS in Windows Help Center, My Opinion ICS is not a good solution.
Requires added NIC, can get complicated to setup and might just plain not work.

I would check with your ISP and see If you can get a Modem/Router that works with
their service. Or at least a Modem with an Ethernet connection, so you could add a
router yourself.

 

If it was me, I would get a modem router myself. In my experience most ISP's ADSL services work with any ADSL modem routers on the market.

My personal favourite is the Netgear DG834. It is a Firewall Modem Router and has 4 wired ethernet ports and there is also a wireless model available, so you can have up to 4 wired device connected directly or more with wireless or another network device. They are easy to set up and secure if you have the ISP connection details.

I find USB modems horrible to use simply because they don't allow multiple connections and they usually draw power from the computer they are connected to through the USB connection and they use up a USB socket.