Wireless router with dial-up?

TheNorm · 17-02-2009, 14:58

OK, this is a bit of a strange request, so here is some background:

- My dad has a dial-up internet connection. He is happy with this, especially as it is not expensive!
- He can't get cable, as they won't install it unless enough people in his block of flats agree.
- He doesn't want ADSL because he lives quite far from the exchange, and doesn't want to spend money on a marginal improvement.

Yesterday I gave him an old laptop, as he wants to keep in touch when away from home (which is quite often). However, he also wants to use the laptop in the living room, which is two rooms away from the study where the modem and desktop computer are located.

So, does anyone know of an inexpensive wireless router that would cope with dial-up? It has to be easy to set up, and must disconnect itself from the phone line when finished (perhaps on a "five minutes of inactivity" setting). Did I mention it has to be cheap?

Ideally, this will be something he can buy in the local PC World, so if there any problems he can chat with them.

All ideas gratefully accepted!

Kymmy · 17-02-2009, 15:12

Just set up ICS on the main desktop and he can remote connect to the internet and also disconnect remotely....

TheNorm · 17-02-2009, 15:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kymmy

Just set up ICS on the main desktop ....

Ah, well he doesn't switch the desktop on unless absolutely necessary - do you know the price of electricity?

MovedGoalPosts · 17-02-2009, 16:45

Does he actually need to connect to the desktop, and would the desktop itself also need the internet at the same time as the laptop (I suspect it wouldn't as dial up is reallyu only for a single computer at a time).

Does the laptop have an inbuilt modem? If so consider just using that and not bothering with any form of router?

17-02-2009, 16:50

I lowest ADSL ive heard of is a friend of mine in Wales and can only get 512 k this is nearly 10 x faster than dial up so have can you say its only going to be a marginal difference? web browsing differences between the two are huge

TheNorm · 17-02-2009, 16:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob

...Does the laptop have an inbuilt modem? If so consider just using that and not bothering with any form of router?

Yes, but then he would have to run a cable from the study to the living room.

Quote:

Originally Posted by zinglebarb

I lowest ADSL ive heard of is a friend of mine in Wales and can only get 512 k this is nearly 10 x faster than dial up so have can you say its only going to be a marginal difference? web browsing differences between the two are huge

I know, I know, but he really is quite happy with dial-up speeds, and dial-up costs.

I've been searching and found a gadget called WiFlyer from Prodigy, but it doesn't seem to be on the market any more.

handyman · 17-02-2009, 17:11

Does he have sky? They offer free broadband with some packages.

mikeeey-h · 17-02-2009, 22:59

God I've not done that in years. Been racking my brains for what we used and even looking in the loft, but to no avail.

Take a look at
Item number: 120375537287
on Ebay finishes 4pm 2moro.

It allows you to share telephone line between 4 PCs via ethernet, what I would do is then just put a Ethernet Wireless router/ Access Point ontop.

Or what about a Broadband Dongle shared between the two computers

TheNorm · 19-02-2009, 22:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeeey-h

...Take a look at ...

That's it!

More here: http://kb.netgear.com/app/products/model/a_id/2519

And I think I have a WAP in the garage!

Now all I have to do is win the bid...