Simple modem/router question

grocerjack · 12-11-2008, 23:13

My B-i-L is a technophobe and he wants his boys PC upstairs to have access to the internet. He has a VM cable service but being a tightwad only has the 2Mb Broadband and his downstairs PC is so old it has no Ethernet connection. My plan is to use a Netgear wireless router to connect the boys PC using a USB wireless adapter.

So, the question is this - will the downstairs PC continue to work via the USB connection the modem once the ethernet port on the modem is connected to the router? CAn the VM modem connect one pc to the internet via the USB link and allow access through the router as well. If not then I'll buy a second USB adapter for him to use on the downstairs PC.

Scrubbs · 12-11-2008, 23:16

I might be wrong, but I think you can only have one connection from the modem usb OR ethernet

Axegrinder · 12-11-2008, 23:26

You cant have both USB and ethernet ports at the same time it wont work only one or the other, you could nip down to maplin and buy a NIC for about Ã‚Â£7, they are easy to fit aswell.

grocerjack · 12-11-2008, 23:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scrubbs

I might be wrong, but I think you can only have one connection from the modem usb OR ethernet

Thats what I reckoned, I just need it confirmed. He can use a wireless usb but being a tightwad he'll grumble about that probably. I have avery old 3Com ethernet card (traditional 10mb ethernet!) which i could use but I can't be arsed opening the machine up.

12-11-2008, 23:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by grocerjack

My B-i-L is a technophobe and he wants his boys PC upstairs to have access to the internet. He has a VM cable service but being a tightwad only has the 2Mb Broadband and his downstairs PC is so old it has no Ethernet connection. My plan is to use a Netgear wireless router to connect the boys PC using a USB wireless adapter.

So, the question is this - will the downstairs PC continue to work via the USB connection the modem once the ethernet port on the modem is connected to the router? CAn the VM modem connect one pc to the internet via the USB link and allow access through the router as well. If not then I'll buy a second USB adapter for him to use on the downstairs PC.

You cannot use USB and Ethernet at the same time from one modem, it may be cheaper to fit a Network Interface Card into one of the expansion ports on the back of the downstairs PC and run it via ethernet.

All new VM modems are only supplied with only an Ethernet port and USB is not supported either.

MovedGoalPosts · 12-11-2008, 23:59

It'll be cheaper to get a wired network card for the PC that to get a wireless one. However if the PC is that old it doesn't have a wired card, it may even have difficulty running a wireless adaptor.

13-11-2008, 00:02

What are we using XP or ME operating systems

grocerjack · 13-11-2008, 02:07

XP Home SP3

13-11-2008, 08:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by grocerjack

XP Home SP3

Get the NIC and job done will take maybe 30 minutes to fit and the are videos on the likes of Youtube showing how to fit them.