castledoom.com

JuntaJoe · Joined: 07 Nov 2004 Posts: 7391 Location: Texas

This thread is a general tech help location.

We have varying degrees of tech savvy amongst the clan and here is where we can pool our talents to help each other.

We have no designated "guru", but our combined skills are pretty decent.

So I hope everyone will check this thread regularly and see if you can help someone who posts here.

Please note that you can also visit the uber geeks at www.tomshardware.com as long as you don't try to act smarter about this stuff than you really are. They're very nice, but rather brutal on posers. They may also give you the correct answer and still be talking over your head. You can drag their response here for deciphering if you need to. :wink:

Batchman · Joined: 12 Dec 2004 Posts: 1419 Location: Orlando FL

Well, I am staying in a house with more than one computer, but only one internet connection, now. When I move in a couple of months, I'll probably be in a house with more than one computer, but only one internet connection ... I need to find out how to network a couple of computers together so they can both use the same internet connection easily!

Can somebody explain this in an easy and simple way? What will I need? What will be involved?

Brf · Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2005 9:16 pm Post subject:

It depends on your internet connection.... Here I have only one Cable-internet connection, but four computers hooked to it. I bought a D-Link Wireless router that is connected to the cable-modem, and then the other computers connect through the router.

AriesQtPie · Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2005 9:32 pm Post subject:

You can also "jump" a connection through ports on the computer, but one computer must always be on and connected for that to occur. and of course be connected to the other computer via cables. We have the same setup Brf just mentioned above.

Batchman · Joined: 12 Dec 2004 Posts: 1419 Location: Orlando FL

So how much do these wireless routers cost, and how easy are they to hook up?

Brf · Posted: Fri Jan 07, 2005 6:52 am Post subject:

The router isnt too bad... If you use a wired router it is pretty simple. The only tricky thing is having the router "clone" your computer's MAC address, so your ISP still sees only the one address connected. Hooking computers is pretty simple if your computer already has a network card.... just plug them in and they go...

A wireless router is a little more tricky. Most new laptops come with a wireless card, but you would have buy a new card or a wireless-bridge for most desktops. There are various security setups... Make sure you use security, or you will have drive-by network hackers.

Here in the US, a wired router, depending on brand and model should cost $20-$80. A wireless one should be $50-$100. Best Buy has monthly rebates on some models, so you can get them for less. A regular network card can be bought for $10 for low-end models. Wireless network cards are typically $30-$60. If you buy a wireless router and cards, make sure they are the same type. The old-style 802.11-B, like I have, runs at 11-Mhz and can be bought pretty cheaply. The newer 802.11-G runs at 56-Mhz and should cost about twice as much as the -Bs.

JuntaJoe · Joined: 07 Nov 2004 Posts: 7391 Location: Texas

Yep, Brf is right.

I have yet to see a sale sheet for CompUSA, Circuit City, Best Buy, or Fry's that doesn't have routers and network cards on sale.

I'd say the money end is the easy part in this issue.

All you need is to digest the tech stuff.

skeeber · Joined: 06 Dec 2004 Posts: 271 Location: Tulsa, OK

I'm disappointed in you Batch... :wink: After seeing my setup and how easy it was to jack your pc into my network, I would think you had a good handle on this. (just giving you a little grief my friend!)

The easiest way if your not going wireless is to buy a CompUSA generic switch for 10 bucks (that's what I have) and connect your modem to it and all your pc's too.

I also now have a generic wireless router for my laptop which I bought for around 50 bucks at Wal-Mart. It came with a network cable, the router and a wireless laptop card and works quite well. You can also encrypt your connection with it so no one can jack into your wireless network which is important.

PM me your phone number and I'll give you a call so that when you make this move I can help you if you need it.

Brf · Posted: Fri Jan 07, 2005 4:31 pm Post subject:

I wouldnt use a generic switch, unless it could serve up DHCP and use NAT... Most ISPs will not let you have multiple IPs visible to their cable or DSL modems unless you pay extra.

skeeber · Joined: 06 Dec 2004 Posts: 271 Location: Tulsa, OK

I've never had a problem with the switch or with my pc's assigning themselves different internal IP's while using the one IP from my provider. This has worked with both cable and DSL connections (I seem to change ISP's like underware). Also, I've never paid for multiple IP's from whichever provider I'm going with although I did think about it when I was running my seti server.

But, you do make a valid point BRF. 8)

Brf · Posted: Fri Jan 07, 2005 5:47 pm Post subject:

There was a post on the Winguides support board from a guy who used a switch like you do.... He had to pay extra for each PC, since the IPs were visible to the modem.

Batchman · Joined: 12 Dec 2004 Posts: 1419 Location: Orlando FL

I went to CompUSA and they said I couldn't make due with just a switch, they said I needed the full router ... and the cheapest one was $30 bucks. This isn't a difference to break the bank, but I would have much prefered the $10 solution! (That's OK ... even the generic CompUSA switch cost $20.)

Maybe sometime this week I'll buy the parts and give it a try!

skeeber · Joined: 06 Dec 2004 Posts: 271 Location: Tulsa, OK

Batch, the switch will work you just have to run through your network options to make it right. As of now, I'm running a wireless adapter into my switch and both pc's are online. No IP trouble whatsoever. I won't trust the majority of 'helpers' at CompUSA, but you may get luckiy and find someone there with a clue.

All my internet had when we jacked your pc into it was my modem and the switch. Additional pc's cost no more in my setup, and isn't again now!

Good luck with getting this set up and if you need help just pm me for my phone number and I'll be happy to!!

AriesQtPie · Posted: Tue Jan 11, 2005 2:13 pm Post subject:

Annoying little problem I have going on.....my Incredimail program likes to keep the new message alert on my screen, and the only way I've found to get it to go away is rebooting......anyone know if there's an easier way to make it go away?

http://tinypic.com/18c3lf

(I thought we could upload pictures here?)

skeeber · Joined: 06 Dec 2004 Posts: 271 Location: Tulsa, OK

ok, Terra just rolled in with a buddy, stole my stuff and smacked me up a bit... ugh, don't know what to do......

AriesQtPie · Posted: Tue Jan 11, 2005 3:57 pm Post subject:

Are you serious? What the heck is going on?

JuntaJoe · Joined: 07 Nov 2004 Posts: 7391 Location: Texas

AriesQtPie wrote: (I thought we could upload pictures here?)

Look for Brf to install that mod sometime this month.

What's with Skeebs post?

Brf · Posted: Tue Jan 11, 2005 8:28 pm Post subject:

JuntaJoe wrote: AriesQtPie wrote: (I thought we could upload pictures here?)

Look for Brf to install that mod sometime this month.

What's with Skeebs post?

Yeah.... It is big and nasty....We should have done it first, before doing any other mods.... I will need probably several hours of quiet-time where I can sit an concentrate at it... without screwing anything up.

JuntaJoe · Joined: 07 Nov 2004 Posts: 7391 Location: Texas

We may even need to go into maintenance mode for installation.

But I'll be sure to give some notice before we shut the door.

Batchman · Joined: 12 Dec 2004 Posts: 1419 Location: Orlando FL

All right ... I've gopt a switch, and will try to hook everything up tonight!

Skeebs ... what kind of settings am I going to have to mess with?