-----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Tom Brinkman Sent: Thursday, September 02, 2004 9:33 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [newbie] Modem needed for UK Broadband
On Thursday 02 September 2004 02:31 pm, Margot wrote:
Bryan Phinney wrote:
On Thursday 02 September 2004 09:27 am, John Richard Smith
wrote:
OK then I bow to experience. Only I found in the device easy enough, but the with the network MCC still asks a lot of questions you don't know the answers to, and without those answers it don't work. Of course that is trying to set up a network.
I just don't find it clear whether setting up a router/modem plus ethernet can be done with nothing more than getting the devices recognised by the system, or that you also have to have the beginning of a network as well.
Most router/modems work based upon dhcp, which means that they automatically assign an IP address, netmask, broadcast, gateway, (some even do the domain name) to the cards that are plugged into their systems. So, simply letting the MCC wizard detect the card and then using the default selections (they default to DHCP IIRC) should result in a working network configuration. That is pretty much why I suggested the router/modem route. Otherwise, you have to configure the USB device, but then you are also going to have to configure the Network connection with ID/password, etc to get the DSL connection running. And I don't know of any standalone router device so, if you want to share the network connection, you have to set that up on the machine too.
Again, to each his own, but I can't imagine any situation where the USB one would be "easier" than ethernet.
We seem to be drifting a bit here...
As I said in my original message, I need a solution that doesn't involve screwdrivers - not just because I'm a girl (!) but I have ME - the combination of brainfog plus physical limitations means that installing anything that involves taking the case off the box is beyond my capabilities.
As I understand it, an ethernet card would be installed inside the box - which means that I'd have to pay not only for the card but for the installation of it, and of course there's the inconvenience of having to take the box to the shop etc...plus the cost of the router which appears to be considerably more expensive than the USB modem.
Right now, I can afford the broadband service plus the USB modem. I'd have to save up for another 2-3 months to go for the other option. I'd appreciate your opinion on this - will the ease of use of the ethernet option be worth the wait and the extra expense?
Thanks Margot
Margot, I think you need to be listening to Paul and Bryan, et all, who suggest you go the hardware route and avoid USB/ Speedtouch (akin to the aDSL version of a 'winmodem'). There is absolutely no problem associated with removing your case cover and installing a cheap D-link NIC in a pci slot. Takes less than a few minutes, harddrake will find it on the next boot. I can't believe that if you don't wanna do it, you can't find somebody to do it for you.
I believe you read the cooker list, an you should also be seein the buggzilla's. If not, then just search them for 'speedtouch' and 'usb'. I think that should be argument enough that Paul and Bryan are givin you the best advice. Which is why I've stayed out of this till now. https://qa.mandrakesoft.com/
The only thing I'd add is, (as root) 'urpmi rp-pppoe' and run 'tkpppoe' to answer about a half dozen questions. Provider, userID, password, DNS from server?, stuff like that. Your adsl connection can then be started with 'adsl-start', and terminated with 'adsl-stop'. It's easier to enable aDSL service this way, than under Windoze.
--
Tom Brinkman Corpus Christi, Texas
Proud to be an American
Margot,
If your close to Manchester I can drive over and install it for you.
Tony.
Sweet of you to offer, Tony - unfortunately, I'm in Kent!
I'm going to try the Adult Education centre courses - with any luck, I'll be able to learn how to install the ethernet card myself, perhaps with a little help by "remote control" from the kind people on this list ;-)
Margot
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