I have a desktop Dimension 4600 worink thanx to the help in the windows forum. This is a cooncetion question. I was given a Dell 5150 and formatted it, reinstalled the o.s . Then I installed chipset first then all the drivers I could find. I then installed sp2.
I called Comcast and they said the service for bith the lap top and the free Mcafee Secutrity center wa free.
** Trouble is I do not know what to do now. I was only given two discs to do the above.
I don't know If I need more or not. I want to use it as wireless.
I am trying to get an explorer on my desktop and be able to get on lineThe manual is not clear in this area
Could you point me in a workable direction to get msie 6 on the desktop and some help getting on line.
Thank you

Grampy, glad to here you got the one computer working, I did see the post.

A basic setup for multiple computer to connect thru one internet connection(comcast modem) is to install a router between the modem and the computer. The router can be a wireless router and the your laptop can connect to the wireless router, and your desktop can plug in to the router (wireless router normally have ports to connect wired computers)

If you could kind of tell us how your desktop is connected now that will give us a better idea of what might be needed.
I'm just guessing that your desktop is connected directly to your comcast modem.

A Davis

Yes, my goal is to have the laptop wireless. I am just getting some beginner's info. I'll need a wireless card and a wireles router.
The issue is how to set it all up. My isp Comcast said if I use one modem the service will be n/c as well as Mcafee Security center. I think I can run a usb end into the existing modem as that is all that is left. The power, ethernet to my cabled router, and the cable that comes into the house take up the other holes.
I could then run the ethernet from the modem to the wireless router with an ethernet type caonnection .When configure my wirless router I could just change the last digit from 1 to 2. I still have to learn more about disabling ?DHCP etc.
THis is the basic idea so anything added will be added to my folder so I can get the project under way.
Dimension 4600 with xp sp2 and a cbled router Insiron 5150 with xp sp2 and needing an wireless router + a wireless card I think. Is there a way to see if you already have a card?
Thank you

Well to start with, You should not need to buy a wireless card, the laptop you have has a built it wireless card.

Also it doesn't sound like you need to connect any USB devices to the modem/router either.

It should be set up something like outside(comcast)--->comcast modem---->wired router
from there it goes to the wireless router (which you'll have to buy) and to your desktop.

Another option would be to replace the wired router with a wireless router, then your desktop can plug into the back of the wireles router and your laptop can connect to it via wireless.

From your post I gather right now you have 2 network devices, a comcast modem and a wired router. If I have this wrong please let me know.

Post back with any questions or comments and let us know how things are going.

Hope this helps some.

A Davis

I'll try to tell you what I have so far-
a-Comcast outside goes into the modem -staying with the modem = there are 4 holes, 1 -for this Comcast cable, 2 -for the ethernet from the router, 3- a blank white square hole that says usb(I thought usb was a slot ?), 4, power
So, yes I do have two wired network devices -

With option one, I would buy a wireless router preferrably as much alike as the other router as possible?This would come with an ethernet wire I would use to connect one router to the other.
Now I do not understand how I would connect the wireless to the pc.
Option 2-get a wireless router as mentioned and this would be all I would need. I would set it up like the one I have in place now and just connect to the router via wireless.
Either way, I would have to give different IP's to the different pc's, wouldn't I?
I look forward to hearing form you again as although I don't have the wireless router yet, we can still put the plan on the drawing board.
Thank you

With option one. once the wireless router is connected to the wired one, the PC can connect to the Wireless via the ports on the back, and the wireless router connects via wireless connection.

With option two the PC and wireless still connect the same way, PC to the back of the wireless router, and the laptop wireless.
Routers normally assign IP address via DHCP, The laptop and the PC should be set to obtain IP address automaticly.

My suggestion would be to to go with option two just use the wireless since the wired one isn't really needed.

The way the IP address work is the Modem gets it's IP from the ISP(Comcast) then the router gets it's IP from the Modem and last but not least the computers get thier IP address from the router, all tranparent (auto assigned)

Good luck and let us know how things are going.

Hi Al
As soon as I get that wireless router, I'll be back for more of your kind help.
I find that auto ip very interesting. It seems as though if i hook all the devices properly, Ithe ip' s are automatically set.
There was not much to my Netgear RP614 ver 3 -packet writing and nat translation were mentioned as ways of encrypting words but that is way over my head.
Let me crack the piggy bank and I'll be back soon.
Thank you

Al

First I went to the device manager and opened Network adapter; there were two items1- 1394 network adapter and 2-a yellow exclamation point = Broadcom 440 xs10/100 integrated controller.
Secondly I went to Other devices as it was yellow =PCI modem

I know the yellow indicate the item not operating.

When I was installing drivers I did all I could but there was one that would not allow to install -I should have written it down.
I installed sp2 then each time I tried to install the maverick one it said,"it cannot be installed b/c of sp2. It needed to be installed on sp1.

I hope these messages are not a problem for wirless connections/functioning.
Could you give me some feedback please.
Thank you

Grampy,

We will need to get those problems fixed.

The 1394 is a firewire connection (nothing we are concerned about at this point)

The other two are drivers that you will need to get the proper drivers for and working correctily.

For the hardware issues please post the problems in the "hardware" forums. The techs there can get things working for you much faster than I can.

I can help with networking and know the basics of hardware but those folks are great at working with this kind of problems.

A Davis

Hi Al
This A.M. I had the idea to rt click each yellow entry and click to repair or remove it, then reinstall it and it worked.
I will take your advice and go to hardware then back to you when I have the router.
In case you are interested I have:
1-Modem - BCM v.92 56 k modem
2-Network adapters - 1394 net adapter
3-and Braodcom 440x 10/100 integrated controller
4-PCMCIA adapters - PCI - 4510 cardbus controller
These are the ones I restored and hope they are enoughto get on line.
I'm off to hardware and thanx as I would not have thought 0f that.

Good deal Grampy,

Looks like your good to go get the router now.

If your repairs fixed the errors everything should be good to go.

By the time you finish with everything you be here at WTT helping other folks out.

I saw the post in the hardware section, I do believe you have already taken care of the problem.
As long as we're not getting any more "?" marks or "!" marks in the device manager things should work out.

Post back with how things are going, and what steps your at.

A Davis

Hi Al
I am just waiting to see if I have the card that allows me to network from the hardware forum.
While I am waiting I wonder if I could 'break into' the cabled setup for my desktop to get the Mcafee security suite and M.S. updates or would that interfere wth the ip etc?

Grampy sorry to see your stress.

To answer your main question, it's kind of a 2 part answer. Yes you can "break into" your router and it's possible to "break into" your modem as well.
You don't want to and don't need to.

If your main desire is to get the security suite and updates. What I would suggest trying is take the eithernet cable that goes to your desktop and plug it into your laptop. This should allow you internet access. Once your on the internet you can run the windows updates and then log to your comcast account and download the security suite.

I would suggest running updates 1st and then the securty suite download.

Give that a try and let us know if how thing work.

A Davis

You won't believe this, but at least I'm honest. Having no knowledge of wireless devices, I wanted to get all set up then use the laptop to travel. The sales person at circuit city told me the device he had , I could communicate all over the place." I went to buy 4 items besides the router.
I was also told if it did not work, I own it. I saw some verizon youngstres and started a conversation. I would have blown a lot of money had they not instructed me. A verizon card would have cost $60 per month.
I left with a little disappointment but it ws all a learning experience.
I think Circuit City is have trouble b/c the inventory is low and the prices very high.
Thank you for the help and maybe if I hit the lottery I catch you from a laptop - right now the pension sets my limitations.
Regards

Not a problem Grampy, I am glad you are learning a few things. I am also VERY glad to hear you didn't go with spending so much money.

There are other options other than what the youngster was suggesting, with the verision card and the monthly fees.

The service that he was suggesting was a internet service provider (verison) and a hign doller card to connect to that ISP.

If you do get the laptop to connect to the internet and have the wireless card working and setup, many airports, hotels, coffee shops, and some other spots( have free WIFI (wireless internet connections)

If you do want to still get thing working just post back and I'd be happy to help in any way I can.
Your laptop at this point is hardware ready to connect to the internet. whats left is to get the updates, and the security suite installed.

What I was suggesting was JUST a wireless router so that you could connect both your desktop and latop to the internet at the same time.

A Davis