Please help - I haven't a clue!!!

I am seriously considering broadband - it has just been made available
here; I have two questions..

1) I am considering Virgin as provider due to the 1 month contract if
I like it I can change to another supplier if required - does this
sound reasonable?

The second question is - I have 2 computers at home, if I want to
connect to the internet at the moment I unplug one from the modem and
plug the other one in. I have been told that it will be possible to
connect both computers at the same time with broadband, is this
correct?

Thanks,

Alan

"Alan" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed) om...
> I am seriously considering broadband - it has just been made available
> here; I have two questions..
>
> 1) I am considering Virgin as provider due to the 1 month contract if
> I like it I can change to another supplier if required - does this
> sound reasonable

Fast4 also do a 1 month conttact for £18.75 a month, look at www.fast4.net

> The second question is - I have 2 computers at home, if I want to
> connect to the internet at the moment I unplug one from the modem and
> plug the other one in. I have been told that it will be possible to
> connect both computers at the same time with broadband, is this
> correct?
>

No unless you use a router and share the connection via a cable or
wirelessly cost about £100

"Alan" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed) om...
> I am seriously considering broadband - it has just been made available
> here; I have two questions..
>
> 1) I am considering Virgin as provider due to the 1 month contract if
> I like it I can change to another supplier if required - does this
> sound reasonable?
>
> The second question is - I have 2 computers at home, if I want to
> connect to the internet at the moment I unplug one from the modem and
> plug the other one in. I have been told that it will be possible to
> connect both computers at the same time with broadband, is this
> correct?


1) it sounds reasonable, but i have some idea that if you change supplier,
BT charge you another activation fee on the line? Could be wrong on that one
though.

2) You CAN have both on-line at one with broadband, in fact you can have two
on-line at once with a normal dial-up service as well! :P
You can either use internet connection sharing software (windows does come
with some supplied) this would mean that the "host" pc (the one with the
modem) would have to be turned on and connected for the 2nd pc to connect.
OR, you could get a router, this allows either pc to be turned on and
connced independatly of each other.

Obvious the connection sharing is a lot lot cheaper but the router option is
more convient. Its up to you what you choose

James

> > The second question is - I have 2 computers at home, if I want to
> > connect to the internet
> No unless you use a router and share the connection via a cable or
> wirelessly cost about £100

Try not to talk utter bullshit - the guy is asking for help, and all
you`ve done is muddy the waters.

Yes, you can link two PCs together and allow them to connect to the
internet.

ICS (or a form of it) comes with 98SE onwards, and will allow you to
network the two PCs together and share the internet connection. Bear in
mind that the 2nd PC won`t be able to get out unless the 1st PC is
switched on though. Failing that, there are other products available
(some for free) that will allow you to run a "proxy" on the 1st PC, and
the 2nd PC bounces requests off that. Again, both machines would have to
be on.

A router would allow you to connect using nothing more than a network
card and network cable, and both machines could then work independantly
of each other.

--
Please add "[newsgroup]" in the subject of any personal replies via email
or you are likely to be spam filtered :-}

> I am seriously considering broadband - it has just been made available
> here; I have two questions..

Sorry if you already know all this, but can I also suggest you take some
basic steps such as those outlined here...

http://broadband.martinc.me.uk/

- just to make sure your system has a little more protection than the
average newbie - it can save a whole lot of grief in the long run !

PS: Martin (hosting the FAQ) - you`ve lost the "email me with
suggestions" link, and you`ve spelled "essential" wrong :-)

--
Please add "[newsgroup]" in the subject of any personal replies via email
or you are likely to be spam filtered :-}

Colin Wilson <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>
> PS: Martin (hosting the FAQ) - you`ve lost the "email me with
> suggestions" link, and you`ve spelled "essential" wrong :-)
>

Thanks Colin, now fixed. The text version is also avalable at
broadband.martinc.me.uk/faq.txt.

--

Martin

> Fast4 also do a 1 month conttact for £18.75 a month, look at www.fast4.net
>

I don't think they're going to get many customers signing up based on their
website, whatever the price - it doesn't exactly inspire confidence. For
example, unless my browser is doing something strange you can't even view
the terms and conditions.