How hard can it be? (Broadband)

Huw Dawson · Fri 31/08/2007 19:50:07

Hey all. It's been a while since I've really posted here, but I'm looking for a bit of advice. Simply put, how hard is it to upgrade to Broadband?

I currently have three computers in my house. One is about as old as my younger brother (and he's 12!) and I'm almost resigned to the fact that it will not be able to be upgraded from our current narrowband connection (That's Dial-Up). It, however, runs the current internet connection we have fine. I am considering personally upgrading the internet connection in our house to a broadband connection. How do I go about doing this? Will I need anything specific to make it possible for three computers to use the internet at once? How much will it cost? (I'm talking about basic setup, not monthly fee!)

- Huw

Nikolas · Fri 31/08/2007 20:09:42

Hem...

Unless the galaxy has connections you won't be able I'm afraid. Hawkings can't help you?

In short, unless you tell us where you live (cause, I personally can't remember if I know where you are), it's rather difficult to help.

Generally, companies offer, either modems, either routers. If you have a router, you can connect more than one computer. If you have wireless connection you can connect more than one computer.

Evil · Fri 31/08/2007 21:05:18

Like Nikolas said, there's a few things you'll need and a few you might want.

You need a modem (what the cable line goes into), which most cable companies will "rent" to you with your monthly fee. These only have one output for one PC, so you'll want a router too.

A router for capable of running to 3 computers run pretty cheap. But unless you want wires running all over the house, you'll want a wireless router and wireless cards. You'll only need two wireless cards, because one PC can be connected directly to the router. They're not cheap, but they're nice to have. A wireless card comes in real handy if you take your computer to LAN parties or other stuff like that (AKA stealing neighbors' internet). Cost depends on features, but it'll be atleast $200 for a wireless router and some cards, if not way more than that.

You're brother's computer shouldn't have a problem with a wireless card if he's got Windows 98. Most cards have drivers for older PCs, and if it doesn't work out, plug him in directly to the router.

The biggest thing you'll want to look into is who offers broadband in your area. There's only one company (more like a monopoly) around here, and the cost is high, the speed is slow because everyone runs it, and they have terrible service. DSL is faster then Broadband in my city, but they don't offer it in my neighborhood. Ask your neighbors and find out what they think.

Huw Dawson · Fri 31/08/2007 21:19:27

Nikolas, I live in the middle of the UK.

I'm just reading up on what possible costs I'm going to run into by upgrading. It's a bit annoying that it's going to take about Â£200 or so just to get a usable internet connection. Who would use a 10 year old computer without even a USB port? Some people...

- Huw

Evil · Fri 31/08/2007 21:35:28

Look in DSL if you're not already on it. It's not "as" fast as broadband, but in some cases it is. There's no installation, and the cost is only a little more than dialup. Plus you can use your phone at the same time! :p

Nikolas · Fri 31/08/2007 22:33:16

Huw,

didn't know that.

As far as I know, most companies, offer free setting up, etc...

I have Bulldog, which is pretty fast (up to 16 Mbit connection), and there was no connection charge, or fees for the modems and stuff. Just the monthly fees.

Why would you pay Â£200?

The 12 year old computer, shouldn't play a bit part, should it?

lo_res_man · Fri 31/08/2007 22:44:28

Speaking of broadband,does anyone know if there is a way to connect broadband without a service provider? Like if you bought everything like the stuff the ISP companies have, instead of renting it?

Domino · Sat 01/09/2007 00:30:55

Quote from: Evil on Fri 31/08/2007 21:35:28
Look in DSL if you're not already on it. It's not "as" fast as broadband, but in some cases it is. There's no installation, and the cost is only a little more than dialup. Plus you can use your phone at the same time! :p

I have DSL at home, and we have cable internet at work. My DSL is much faster than what we have at work. I guess it depends on where you live. I use to have plain dial-up before getting Verizon DSL (4 years ago), and i would never go back..well, who would?

Ghost · Sat 01/09/2007 00:42:54

Quote from: Domino on Sat 01/09/2007 00:30:55
I guess it depends on where you live.

True, and even within one city, speed differs. .

DSL, as far as I know, would be cheaper to upgrade to, and really is more than acceptable. Not superior to broadband, as has been mentioned, but it gets the job done. I would opt for simple cable connection; it's more reliable in my opinion. Might be just me: Wireless in my part of town is terribly instable; you can actually count your "disconnects" on a minute-based system.

scotch · Sat 01/09/2007 09:00:35

I'm confused, do they use the terms DSL and broadband to refer to different things in other countries? What do people mean by DSL being slower than "broadband"? Anything faster than dialup/ISDN is usually called broadband anywhere I've come across the term, cable, DSL, satellite, whatever. DSL and cable are comparable in speed in my area (up to ~22mbit, but less is cheaper).

As for installing wifi, $200 seems excessive... if you buy less expensive hardware online a router and three wifi PCI cards shouldn't be more than $80 (35 for the router, 15 each for the cards). Wifi PCI cards should be fine in your old computer, as long as it's running Win 98 or later. It'll be somewhat more at UK prices, those are US ones.

Specifically, if you're going for ADSL you'll need one of these and three of these which is Â£53.50 total. Many ISPs will give you a free wifi router, so you may only need to get the cards.

If you don't want to spend the extra on wifi, a few cables and an ethernet switch will cost nothing and will also work with your old PCs.

Evil · Sat 01/09/2007 19:23:36

Broadband connections usually refer to cable internet. I've never heard DSL, or something like a T-Line called broadband.

Well, it is a bit excessive. But, the router I have is something like this which runs $69.99, but it's trimodal like this and this one runs $149.99. I can't find the exact one, because it's older, but I know it ran $99.99 or more. Plus three cards, totaling around $100. Plus we bought our own modem too.

There are a lot of wireless routers out there, but D-Links are very reliable and nice. There are a lot of cheap alternatives.

shbaz · Sun 02/09/2007 18:29:46

Quote from: lo_res_man on Fri 31/08/2007 22:44:28
Speaking of broadband,does anyone know if there is a way to connect broadband without a service provider? Like if you bought everything like the stuff the ISP companies have, instead of renting it?

LOL, yes, you need tens of thousand dollars worth of cisco routers and a bunch of optical fiber or telephone/cable line. Just connect that to another major internet hub with the same equipment and you're in business.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet

lo_res_man · Mon 03/09/2007 05:13:15

That sucks, I mean in the days of old when the internet was on the phonelines, and men and woman would sacrifice there telephone to 'dial-up' one could do it without a ISP.

Minimi · Mon 03/09/2007 11:29:46

Yeah the old days...that my bro hacked into a computer from Sweden, to tap their internet connection, so we could dial-up for free

...

Well, I'm at the moment at a great speed of 5,4MB per second!

and that for less than 15 euro's in the month! I just moved to living here, and the dude is video-producer and got a nice deal with the telephone company where he works for.

How hard can it be? (Broadband)

Ghost