[MelodyL]

I do not know where the ethernet port is. On the big fold out instruction thing it shows the various ports.

USB, HDML PORT, RJ-45 (network) jack, external monitor port, Power light, Power connector RJ-11 modem jack (is this the ethernet port???)

I just want to connect this and go on the internet and see if my modem goes out. If my modem goes out, this will let me know for sure it's the phone line.

Help please?

Thanks much
Melody

[Jomar]

I know you got this figured out already but thought I'd post a reply for anyone else with the same question.


The LAN (local area network) port / Ethernet port use the same size connector/cable - like a over-sized phone connector.
but can be used to connect computers together or for a cabled/wired internet connection.

Most external computer connectors only fit where they are supposed to, that's why they have so many different shapes of connectors.

the RJ-45 (network) jack is the name of the type of connector/cable.

[MelodyL]

Jo:

Here's a good question for you. Let's say my friend has an extra desk top computer. She was given a brand new laptop which she uses (using her daughter (who lives upstairs), well she gets a signal from the daughter's router. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

Here's my question.

Let's say she no longer wants her desk top. It has Windows 98, Aol software, (I assume it has Internet Explorer but I'm not sure).

She is now only using the laptop.

If she ever wants to get rid of the desktop and I say "I'll take it, it will be the second computer I have in my house" (So I wouldn't have to buy a laptop).

So let's say I bring the desktop home, hook it up, plug it into the wall, and NOW I HAVE A SECOND COMPUTER IN THE HOUSE.

But I want to go online.

Can I link the computer to the other computer (which Alan is the main user of), and how do I do this?

Do I have to buy a router and connect it to the modem, and the second computer will get a wireless signal (kind of what my friend is now doing with her laptop?)

Or is there a way to not have to get a router, but to link the two computers, so that Alan and I can go on the internet at the same time (each of us having our own computer)?

One would think I would know the answer to this and maybe I did 10 years ago, but I have forgotten.

If you can make it simple, let me know how I can do this, okay? Thanks much

Melody

[mrsD]

If the old desktop does not have Wifi in it which I suspect it doesn't, you'd need a cable to hook it up to the router directly.

Win 98 is really old... old old...no more updates for it etc. It would be highly vulnerable on the net today. It is probably low in RAM and would be very slow doing everything.

You could upgrade it, but Jo would have to help with that.

Win7 upgrade is about 80-100 dollars. You might need more RAM to run it too.

This desktop of mine is running Windows XP with 1 Gig of RAM and that is not enough these days. Thinking about more in fact!

[MelodyL]

Originally Posted by mrsD

If the old desktop does not have Wifi in it which I suspect it doesn't, you'd need a cable to hook it up to the router directly.

Win 98 is really old... old old...no more updates for it etc. It would be highly vulnerable on the net today. It is probably low in RAM and would be very slow doing everything.

You could upgrade it, but Jo would have to help with that.

Win7 upgrade is about 80-100 dollars. You might need more RAM to run it too.

This desktop of mine is running Windows XP with 1 Gig of RAM and that is not enough these days. Thinking about more in fact!

Okay, got it, not gonna take her old computer. I'm just guessing with the Windows 98 thing, I'll see if she has XP.

Her computer is older than mine. About 8 years or so.

And when you ask if her computer is equipped with wi-fi, I don't think it is. So you mentioned a router.

So am I to understand that when you connect two desk top computers together so both can go on the internet, you need a router??

Am I correct?

I thought you just run a wire from one computer to the other and they BOTH could run off of the one modem. I'm wrong, right?

lol

I'll get this stuff in my brain some day.

Want to know what I do when all this goes to my brain?

I walk over to my sprout shelf and talk to my sprouts. Nothing more relaxing than doing that.

Mel

[MelodyL]

Originally Posted by mrsD

If the old desktop does not have Wifi in it which I suspect it doesn't, you'd need a cable to hook it up to the router directly.

Win 98 is really old... old old...no more updates for it etc. It would be highly vulnerable on the net today. It is probably low in RAM and would be very slow doing everything.

You could upgrade it, but Jo would have to help with that.

Win7 upgrade is about 80-100 dollars. You might need more RAM to run it too.

This desktop of mine is running Windows XP with 1 Gig of RAM and that is not enough these days. Thinking about more in fact!

Hi Mrs. D.

I just googled "how to connect two computers so both can go on the internet?

Got this link .....and if you think I understood most of it , FORGET IT!! lol

http://www.ehow.com/how_2012445_comp...-internet.html

It's times like this when I wish I had a 10 year old grandchild

Melody

[Jomar]

Hey if her desktop still works and it's super cheap- or free, it's worth a try.
Just don't use it for any secure banking or put any important info on it.
Just in case it gets a bug or malware.

There is a internet/network set up section on XP in the control panel that takes you through how to connect another computer to the one that is connected to the modem.
Look for Network Setup Wizard in control panel.
That would be the simple & cheapest way to try it.

[Jomar]

this link looks to have good info & steps of how you would set it up -
http://en.kioskea.net/contents/confi...artage-xp.php3

If the older pc doesn't have any anti virus on it then it would be good to add it before going online with it.

[mrsD]

Avast is free and very good.