Modem for an aging laptop without wi-fi?

[mystic]

Ok ... the following question will reveal me to be on the numpty side as far as computer stuff goes! So ..... here goes:

I have an Apple Mac. I switched from dial-up to a broadband connection with Tiscali a year or so ago. Tiscali supplied me with an external modem - a Speed Touch 330 ADSC as part of the deal. One cable from the modem goes to my computer ..... the other, via an Integral ADSL broadband filter (actually works like a standard extension lead allowing you to stretch to connect to the nearest phone socket.)

Now here's my problem, and the reason behind my post. I also have an aging IBM laptop - fine for most of the things I do. Acquired it solely to allow me to work with Garmin's Mapsource software which is not compatible with Macs. So now ... when I need to work with the GPS, I switch the Speed Touch's connector cable from the Mac and shove it into the laptop. Everything's hunkdory.

However ...... for reasons I don't propose to go into here, I now would like to use the PC laptop (with my broadband connection) downstairs. Neither my Mac nor the PC laptop have wi-fi capability! I have used the laptop online downstairs twice, but only by phaffing about for 15 minutes or so disconnecting the ADSC Broadband filter situated between the phone socket and the modem, and of course removing the modem entirely, from the Mac setup - and taking it all downstairs and setting everything up again with the PC laptop! But what a bloody pallaver it is!!! In the meantime, of course the Mac is incapable of connecting online.

And finally to my question to all you IT Geeks out there .......what is the easist, most viable, and cost efficient solution to sorting the problem? ie: I want to retain a broadband connection facility with both machines located in different parts of the house, without wasting time messing about unplugging / plugging in cables on my hands and knees!


Any and all advice very welcome


Mike

 

[cookie]

can you drop a length of CAT5 ethernet cable down a cavity to where you want the other computer? if so, a cheap router & a wall socket will sort you out.

or

wireless router and PMCIA wireless card in the laptop perhaps?

 

[mystic]

Thanks Cookie.

The distance between the desired locations of the Mac and the PC laptop is considerable ...... added to which the house is 300+ yrs old with twelve inch solid walls!

I went into PC World a bit back to ask for the same advice ...... I recall the guy suggested buying a wireless router to couple up to my Mac, but he would not / could not, give me any sort of guarantee as to whether it would actually work in my house ...... given its solid walls and their thickness! Reluctant to shell out loads of dosh if it doesn't do the job! But perhaps its the only way to go?

 

[wheeledwidewebb]

No Wi-Fi, do a google search for 'dlan'

 

[mystic]

Thanks Wheeledwideweb.

Just checked out dLAN as you suggested. Looks as though it might be the solution to my dilema.

Could you answer one or two more of my uncertainties around this dLAN jobbie?

I have an Apple Mac & a PC Laptop. Need to share broadband internet access from the Mac with the PC laptop both in different parts of the house. As of now, I've only one modem ( the Speed Touch 330 ADSC, as supplied by Tiscali for my Mac/ but also appears to work fine with the PC laptop). When I use my laptop away from the Mac's location, at present I'm removing both the modem and the ADSL Broadband filter (which with the Mac lies between the modem and a nearby phone socket), and connecting it all up to the laptop downstairs.


Assuming I buy the dLAN Duo starter kit, would I also need a second modem for my laptop?

Do I need a second ADSL broadband Filter when setting up the PC laptop downstairs?

I'm afraid I'm finding it hard to get my head around all of this. BTW, went into PCWorld a few weeks back for advice on this issue ......... met with a load of gobbledigook from an 18 year old salesman! Confess I didn't understand aord he was saying! Must be getting too old, me thinks!


PS GSes aren't so hard to ride ................ why can't computers be the same!

 

[wheeledwidewebb]

Ideally you need to replace the ADSL modem with a suitable router (which will have a modem built-in).

A router is a device that 'routes' network traffic from one network to another, in your case it will be responsible for routing traffic between your network (the network you have using dLAN technology) and the internet.

If you forget the dLAN stuff for a moment and just stick withthe logic of using two computers at the same time with one internet connection, then you would plug the new router into your ADSL line filter and then plug the two computers into the router.

The router automatically makes the internet connection as required whenever either of the computers attempts to access the internet.

So in your real world example, you would locate the router near to your main telephone line and plug it into the ADSL line filter. If you have any telephone extensions around the house that are wired into the back of the main socket then these should also have line filters attached by the way.

Once the router is in place then you will need to set-up the dLAN. Now although this may differ slightly according to manufacturer, the theory of this set-up will involve three dLAN bridges (or adapters, call them what you will), one for the router to plug into, and then one each for the mac and PC.

You mention a dLAN starter kit, I wonder whether this is just two dLAN bridges, in which case you would need to add a third. There are lots of choices regarding dLAN manufacturers and you will find that just about everyone will have an opinion regarding which is best or why one is better than another, something that I have no time for to be honest.

All I would say is that a suitable router for you would be a Netgear DG-834 (it is not Wi-FI though just in case you ever need that) and while you are at it you could choose the Netgear dLAN products, I think they refer to them by the 'Powerline' label.

Lastly, if your Mac is close to the ADSl line then you may get away with just two dLAN adapters, one for the router and one for the PC. The mac could just plug straight into one of the integral ethernet ports on the router.

Remeber though, that this solution will require the router to be configured to log on to Tiscali using your account credentials and both the computers must have RJ-45 ethernet ports.

As always with these type of posts, I cannot say for certain that all of this will work for you without seeing the situation first hand so please research the matter, all of the above is just my opinion, don't go buying anything and then blaming me when it doesn't work out for you.

That said it is all basic stuff so you should be OK.

 

[mystic]

Wheeledwideweb

Thank you ........ Really grateful for you taking the time to provide me with something I'm just now starting to get my head around!

Mike

PS Ever considered putting on some training courses for PCWorld staff?