Broadband technicalities

james41 · 09-21-2007, 08:43 AM

Help required for an ignorant beginner. I have had a dialup service for years but my ISP is closing that down. I don't understand the technical requirements to set up broadband. They are talking about a wireless modem. I don't understand whether my PC is suitable for this. A USB adapter has been mentioned.
Trying to understand this , I have found a socket on the back of PC (quite large squarish format). I don't know if this is what they call an ethernet port and whether that would connect by cable to a broadband cable modem? ( It has a small triple box symbol against it and seems to connect to a small metal box directly connected to the motherboard)
My control panel shows (XP) a wireless network wizard but I think that has nothing to do with the basic reception of the broadband service/connection.
I also have a Realtek fastEthernet Adapter RTL8139PCI Ethernet NIC showing up on Device Manager with a Microsoft driver and reported as working properly.(Is that the small box on the motherboard? I only have a soundcard and a card dialup modem installed on the motherboard as extras)
I need to understand all this before purchasing a broadband connection of either cabled or wireless sort.
My dialup cable is on a long telephone extension over 4 rooms in length and has worked well for years. Can a wireless modem to connected to that long extension or does it have to be at the entry point to the house?
Any simple technical advice would be very welcome please. (All due to Orange closing their dialup service!)
Thanks,
James

**BCCOMP** · 09-25-2007, 12:48 AM

Hi James,
From what you state you have a working NIC card (Realtek fastEthernet Adapter RTL8139PCI Ethernet NIC). This is what the broadband ISP needs to hookup a broadband modem. On the back of the PC this NIC card will look like an oversize phone jack. The ISP needs to know this info before they can connect your broadband modem. Many ISP will not install a NIC card due to liability issues. The USB port is also another option to connect a broadband modem, but the NIC card is the better option.
As far as a wireless broadband modem, many ISP will provide you with one for an additional monthly fee. Depending on the fee and your need to hook up additional PC's or a laptop you may want to consider purchasing a wireless router ($50-$100) and not get hit with the ISP monthly fees.
If you wish to go wireless on other PC's you will need to install a wireless PCI card on these to connect to your wireless router. A laptop (newer) usually have a wireless card install already.
It seems you are good to go on this PC for a broadband modem.
I hope this helps,
Thanks,
Bill

james41 · 09-25-2007, 03:39 AM

Yes , thanks very much.

James

09-21-2007, 08:43 AM	#1 (permalink)
james41 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 53 OS: xp	Broadband technicalities Help required for an ignorant beginner. I have had a dialup service for years but my ISP is closing that down. I don't understand the technical requirements to set up broadband. They are talking about a wireless modem. I don't understand whether my PC is suitable for this. A USB adapter has been mentioned. Trying to understand this , I have found a socket on the back of PC (quite large squarish format). I don't know if this is what they call an ethernet port and whether that would connect by cable to a broadband cable modem? ( It has a small triple box symbol against it and seems to connect to a small metal box directly connected to the motherboard) My control panel shows (XP) a wireless network wizard but I think that has nothing to do with the basic reception of the broadband service/connection. I also have a Realtek fastEthernet Adapter RTL8139PCI Ethernet NIC showing up on Device Manager with a Microsoft driver and reported as working properly.(Is that the small box on the motherboard? I only have a soundcard and a card dialup modem installed on the motherboard as extras) I need to understand all this before purchasing a broadband connection of either cabled or wireless sort. My dialup cable is on a long telephone extension over 4 rooms in length and has worked well for years. Can a wireless modem to connected to that long extension or does it have to be at the entry point to the house? Any simple technical advice would be very welcome please. (All due to Orange closing their dialup service!) Thanks, James

09-25-2007, 12:48 AM	#2 (permalink)
BCCOMP Mod Hardware Team Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: New York Posts: 7,040 OS: Win XP SP3 / Windows 7 Beta / Open Suse My System	Re: Broadband technicalities Hi James, From what you state you have a working NIC card (Realtek fastEthernet Adapter RTL8139PCI Ethernet NIC). This is what the broadband ISP needs to hookup a broadband modem. On the back of the PC this NIC card will look like an oversize phone jack. The ISP needs to know this info before they can connect your broadband modem. Many ISP will not install a NIC card due to liability issues. The USB port is also another option to connect a broadband modem, but the NIC card is the better option. As far as a wireless broadband modem, many ISP will provide you with one for an additional monthly fee. Depending on the fee and your need to hook up additional PC's or a laptop you may want to consider purchasing a wireless router ($50-$100) and not get hit with the ISP monthly fees. If you wish to go wireless on other PC's you will need to install a wireless PCI card on these to connect to your wireless router. A laptop (newer) usually have a wireless card install already. It seems you are good to go on this PC for a broadband modem. I hope this helps, Thanks, Bill __________________ PC Wizard \| Everest \| Power supply info \| Memtest86+ PC Running Slow Speedfan

09-25-2007, 03:39 AM	#3 (permalink)
james41 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 53 OS: xp	Re: Broadband technicalities Yes , thanks very much. James