Which modem shall I get

[kained&able]

Googling dell 4000 shows it has on board network, I dont think ive ever seen a laptop without ethernet except maybe back in the 80's

actually this is a good point. are we sure minnie just doesn't know what an ethernet port looks like.


dave

 

[grit]

That gets my vote, no offense minnie

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

Connection just went again

is there no slow down with the convertor?

I assumed there would be. Although with minnies laptop i dount she would notice anyways

dave

A bit, but nothing too serious really. And yeah, with that laptop, who'd notice

Minnie - I have one of these adapters myself, which I no longer need (it doesn't work with macs). You can have it. This means you can buy whatever router you like. Your laptop will plug into an ethernet socket via the adapter

My laptop (that only takes USB) will plug VIA a USB into an ethernet socket via an adaptor yes? Or have I got that wrong?

actually this is a good point. are we sure minnie just doesn't know what an ethernet port looks like.

dave

A fat telephone socket? I think

 

[Crispy]

My laptop (that only takes USB) will plug VIA a USB into an ethernet socket via an adaptor yes?

That's right.

 

[grit]

Introducing USB into this mix that is using a OS that was before we got out of the "plug and pray" mentality of usb is just asking for trouble imho.

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

That's right.

oh

er, do you have a picture of this thingy so I can try and picture the connectivity between all these wires and sockets?

 

[newbie]

Connection just went again

thing about my frog is that you can have it in the next half hour or so (you're just round the corner, I think) and it ought to plug in in place of the one you've got.

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

thing about my frog is that you can have it in the next half hour or so (you're just round the corner, I think) and it ought to plug in in place of the one you've got.

I'm starting to think that for now, that is the best option. Do you have the software that goes with it? Why don't you use it? Is it crap or something?

 

[newbie]

it was my original broadband modem back when USB connectivity was all there was. I've been through three generations of router since then.

I've found the original BT disk which I guess has the software.

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

it was my original broadband modem back when USB connectivity was all there was. I've been through three generations of router since then.

I've found the original BT disk which I guess has the software.

I may just take you up on that offer as since I started this post, I've lost connection 5 times, and that's after the modem's been unplugged all night

So you're not positive you have the installation software? If you are, then I think I may take you up on your offer.

Or would the installation software for any Thompson Speedtouch work?

 

[brix]

I may just take you up on that offer as since I started this post, I've lost connection 5 times, and that's after the modem's been unplugged all night

So you're not positive you have the installation software? If you are, then I think I may take you up on your offer.

Or would the installation software for any Thompson Speedtouch work?

Blimey Minnie, don't do the lad (lass?) any favours, will you!

 

[newbie]

I've got the full welcome pack so yes I am pretty positive. If you're lucky it might use the s/w you've already got loaded, dunno, plug it in, see what happens. If that doesn't work then do a fresh install with the settings copied from your current setup.

 

[grit]

This is going to end in tears

 

[newbie]

you reckon? why? that's certainly not the intention.

 

[grit]

As I said before I dont think its a good idea to introduce USB into this setup on a OS that is still a part of the plug and pray era.

I find it difficult (although i admit its not impossible) that minnie does not have ethernet. The only setup that would be required of her when using ethernet is plugging the cable in, shes about to try and install probably windows xp usb drivers onto a windows 2000 box, and for someone who isint technical i think there are easier ways to resolve this issue.

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

Blimey Minnie, don't do the lad (lass?) any favours, will you!

Well I didn't want to get too excited in case I got home and realised there was no installation

Sorry if that sounded rude newbie

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

you reckon? why? that's certainly not the intention.

is it Windows 2000 compatible?

 

[kained&able]

i had one of those frog things for me win2000 machine.

so should be.

dave

 

[newbie]

As I said before I dont think its a good idea to introduce USB into this setup on a OS that is still a part of the plug and pray era.

it's not a question of introduction, though, USB is what she's using now.

for sure there's no guarantees it'll work, it might just be a world of pain, but it's a potential immediate solution to something that's dropping out all the time, to provide breathing space while buying something better.

sfaict it's got w2000 s/w, it's from that era.

 

[grit]

it's not a question of introduction, though, USB is what she's using now.

Exactly and look at the issues she is experiencing. Plug and Pray.

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

i had one of those frog things for me win2000 machine.

so should be.

dave

just found this

http://telofax.trustpass.alibaba.co...Thomson_Speed_Touch_USB_Manta_ADSL_Modem.html

it's not a question of introduction, though, USB is what she's using now.

for sure there's no guarantees it'll work, it might just be a world of pain, but it's a potential immediate solution to something that's dropping out all the time, to provide breathing space while buying something better.

sfaict it's got w2000 s/w, it's from that era.

Why shouldn't it work?

9 times I've lost connection since I started this thread

 

[newbie]

unless I've misunderstood the Speedtouch Minnie is using now used to work but is on the point of death. "switching off every few minutes" doesn't sound much like a p'n'p issue to me, might be, of course due to some conflict with something recently introduced, but it's more likely to be worn out hardware, I'd have thought.

 

[newbie]

Why shouldn't it work?

the answer to that is way above my pay grade

 

[grit]

the answer to that is way above my pay grade

So many different things can go wrong in this situation to be honest, in summary the age of your laptop (its a miracle its still running btw) along with using windows2000 which was developed during a time that usb hadnt fully matured are the things that concern me. It *could* work fine I just kind of want to prepare you for the very likely outcome that it wont.

I wouldnt recommend the usb route as I've said, but then thats just my view.

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

So many different things can go wrong in this situation to be honest, in summary the age of your laptop (its a miracle its still running btw) along with using windows2000 which was developed during a time that usb hadnt fully matured are the things that concern me. It *could* work fine I just kind of want to prepare you for the very likely outcome that it wont.

I wouldnt recommend the usb route as I've said, but then thats just my view.

but I already use USB and I already use a Thompson Speedtouch

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

I think I'd like to take newbie up on her/his offer

 

[berniedicters]

FWIW, I'd be trying to see if anyone on Urban has another one of the same model ADSL modem you're currently using, so you don't have to faff around with software and trying to get new drivers installed and working (does the laptop have a CD drive, incidentally?)

And, in parallel with that, start sorting out a wireless LAN USB adapter: you'll have ADSL so you can get help sorting out the LAN adapter (does your lappie have >1 USB slot, which would be even better?). Once you've got that working, you're in the market for a wireless ADSL router.

There's one really good reason why going for a router rather than the modem would be wise: having not-very-secure PCs directly connected to ADSL is just asking for infestation from viruses or botnet type stuff. Even a crappily configured router puts you at loads less risk of all that nonsense.

And, when your laptop finally goes to that Great Box Under The Bed In The Sky, all you'll need to do is get the new one to notice the router (which hopefully someone will have configured so that it's not open to the neighbourhood kiddiepr0n downloading fraternity) and you're away...

 

[grit]

but I already use USB and I already use a Thompson Speedtouch

Its not been serving you very well though has it? In fact has it even been established that its the speedtouch at fault?

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

FWIW, I'd be trying to see if anyone on Urban has another one of the same model ADSL modem you're currently using, so you don't have to faff around with software and trying to get new drivers installed and working (does the laptop have a CD drive, incidentally?)

Yes, I've very modem me, I have a CD-RW drive. No DVD drive though

And, in parallel with that, start sorting out a wireless LAN USB adapter: you'll have ADSL so you can get help sorting out the LAN adapter (does your lappie have >1 USB slot, which would be even better?). Once you've got that working, you're in the market for a wireless ADSL router.

I have one USB slot

There's one really good reason why going for a router rather than the modem would be wise: having not-very-secure PCs directly connected to ADSL is just asking for infestation from viruses or botnet type stuff. Even a crappily configured router puts you at loads less risk of all that nonsense.

I do seem to have problems with bugs in my system. I've put cockroach killer in the CD drive but it doesn't seem to do anything

And, when your laptop finally goes to that Great Box Under The Bed In The Sky, all you'll need to do is get the new one to notice the router (which hopefully someone will have configured so that it's not open to the neighbourhood kiddiepr0n downloading fraternity) and you're away...

Thanks. I've just lost connection again.

*waits for connection to restart before pressing send*

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

Its not been serving you very well though has it? In fact has it even been established that its the speedtouch at fault?

Well the modem's quite warm to the touch as is the plug itself. I'm not sure though how normal that is.

I've been unplugging plug from socket every night for the last few days