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General discussion

Please help, how do I share a broadband connection?

Jul 17, 2007 4:09AM PDT

I just moved in to a new place and I have to share a broadband internet connection with a roomate, but I don't know where to begin. I have AT&T dsl, and I want to share the connection with 2 pc's and a laptop. My roomate can connect her laptop wirelessly, so I'm not too concerned with that since the laptop is fairly new running windows XP. However the other pc is a windows 98 SE, 512Ram, Pentium III 800mhz and has an ethernet connection. Please explain what hardware I have to buy. My roomate mentioned something about a router, but I'm clueless to those things, so what things should I look for in trying to share my broadband connection. Thanks!! Help very much appreciated =)

Discussion is locked

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The last ATT DSL I saw installed...
Jul 17, 2007 4:11AM PDT

Needed no added hardware. They provided a combo DSL modem and wifi router so all you did was follow their instructions to get connected.

Bob

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Yep, what Bob said. . .
Jul 17, 2007 8:38AM PDT

Stepdaughter got DSL and it came with a neat DSL modem/router/wireless box. Did you get one? If so, set it up as per the AT&T directions.

If not, simply get a router. They're a snap to install.

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at&t dsl/router combo
Jul 19, 2007 4:35AM PDT

Nope, I didn't get one of those dsl/router combos. Both of us had previous service with at&t dsl, and at the time they didn't provide those combo's so we both have the dsl modems. What type of features should I look at in routers, any recommendations?

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All three pc's will be in different rooms btw
Jul 19, 2007 4:39AM PDT

sorry for double posting..Once I get a router, are there any added hardware or cables I need to purchase? All three devices will be in different rooms for the most part, and the laptop will be everywhere, so just wondering if I need anything else besides a router. Thanks !!

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What you need to do
Jul 19, 2007 11:37AM PDT

Buy a wireless router(popular brand)

set it up by the instructions

enable SSID
WPA security
do NOT use mac filtering

update the firmware. Most routers come with out dated firmware.

After you set it up it should look like this

wall > ATT Modem > Wireless router > Wired/wireless computers

Make sure to have dsl filters on every phone, answering machine, faxes, etc. The only thing that does NOT get a dsl filter is the ATT modem.


Hope this helps.


Rick

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sharing broadband
Jul 25, 2007 12:11AM PDT

okay I got a wireless router and also some other hardware which is a slinglink turbo which connects to the line and uses the pre-existing househould wires to make all phone jacks an ethernet connection. I'll install the router first and see where that goes, but I'm wondering if I made the right move or if I should've just made my pc wireless which I would probably need a wireless adapter seeing as how my pc doesn't have one of those to go wireless.