Help! connecting an older computer for wireless

I have a Dell "Dimension" L serie desktop which is about 5 years old. I am
connected to Road Runner with a Motorola SB5100 cable modem.
I just purchased a new laptop equiped with 802.11 wireless and at the same
time, picked up a Linksys Broadband Router model WRT54GC, hoping to go
wireless in my home. To my surprise, I do not seem to have an ethernet
"plug" on my desktop which seems necessary to install the router. The
Motorola modem is hooked up to the destop with a USB cable.

Anyone has any idea of how I might be able to hookup the router? Is it even
possible with my desktop?

MANY THANKS to anyone able to answer this novice's questions.
Mireille

On Sun, 13 Nov 2005 15:47:46 GMT, "Kenosha1" <(E-Mail Removed)>
wrote:

>I have a Dell "Dimension" L serie desktop which is about 5 years old.

The Dell L series is a bit older than 5 years. My guess is about
1998-1999. Intel Coppermine PIII with 810 series chipset.

>I am
>connected to Road Runner with a Motorola SB5100 cable modem.

The SB5100 has an ethernet connector:
http://broadband.motorola.com/noflash/sb5100.html

>I just purchased a new laptop equiped with 802.11 wireless and at the same
>time, picked up a Linksys Broadband Router model WRT54GC, hoping to go
>wireless in my home. To my surprise, I do not seem to have an ethernet
>"plug" on my desktop which seems necessary to install the router. The
>Motorola modem is hooked up to the destop with a USB cable.
>
>Anyone has any idea of how I might be able to hookup the router? Is it even
>possible with my desktop?

Well, basically it's time to dump the USB. You will need to purchase
a PCI ethernet 10/100baseT ethernet card and install it in your
computah. These are about $15 and come with drivers. Your L series
laptop probably came with Windoze 98SE. Be sure the card you buy has
drivers for whatever operating system you're using. Many of the
current models only come with W2K and XP drivers.

Once installed, the WAN (internet) port of the WRT54G goes to the
ethernet port of the SB5100. Remove the USB cable from the SB5100 as
it will no longer be needed or used. Another ethernet cable goes
between one of the LAN ports on the WRT54G to your new ethernet card
in the Dell. Do all your configuration with a wired connection and
NOT via wireless.

You should be able to just plug everything together, configure the WAN
connections page for whatever your ISP expects (probably DHCP), and be
connected to the internet.

The rest is following the instructions for setting up the WRT54G
wireless. Be sure to use WPA-PSK encryption for best security.

--
Jeff Liebermann (E-Mail Removed)
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

THANK YOU!!! I am so grateful to intelligent news groups like this one.
Thanks again Jeff.
Mireille
"Jeff Liebermann" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> On Sun, 13 Nov 2005 15:47:46 GMT, "Kenosha1" <(E-Mail Removed)>
> wrote:
>
> >I have a Dell "Dimension" L serie desktop which is about 5 years old.
>
> The Dell L series is a bit older than 5 years. My guess is about
> 1998-1999. Intel Coppermine PIII with 810 series chipset.
>
> >I am
> >connected to Road Runner with a Motorola SB5100 cable modem.
>
> The SB5100 has an ethernet connector:
> http://broadband.motorola.com/noflash/sb5100.html
>
> >I just purchased a new laptop equiped with 802.11 wireless and at the
same
> >time, picked up a Linksys Broadband Router model WRT54GC, hoping to go
> >wireless in my home. To my surprise, I do not seem to have an ethernet
> >"plug" on my desktop which seems necessary to install the router. The
> >Motorola modem is hooked up to the destop with a USB cable.
> >
> >Anyone has any idea of how I might be able to hookup the router? Is it
even
> >possible with my desktop?
>
> Well, basically it's time to dump the USB. You will need to purchase
> a PCI ethernet 10/100baseT ethernet card and install it in your
> computah. These are about $15 and come with drivers. Your L series
> laptop probably came with Windoze 98SE. Be sure the card you buy has
> drivers for whatever operating system you're using. Many of the
> current models only come with W2K and XP drivers.
>
> Once installed, the WAN (internet) port of the WRT54G goes to the
> ethernet port of the SB5100. Remove the USB cable from the SB5100 as
> it will no longer be needed or used. Another ethernet cable goes
> between one of the LAN ports on the WRT54G to your new ethernet card
> in the Dell. Do all your configuration with a wired connection and
> NOT via wireless.
>
> You should be able to just plug everything together, configure the WAN
> connections page for whatever your ISP expects (probably DHCP), and be
> connected to the internet.
>
> The rest is following the instructions for setting up the WRT54G
> wireless. Be sure to use WPA-PSK encryption for best security.
>
> --
> Jeff Liebermann (E-Mail Removed)
> 150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
> Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
> Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558