Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

Trying to configure a computer intelligently.

Jun 14, 2004 5:26AM PDT

Configuring new PC, and
the motherboard has a firewire slot. Further down the configurations they ask me if I want a firewire card. I dont need both, do I?


Motherboard also includes an LAN 1x 10/100. If i have that, I dont need a wireless network adaptor, do I?


If I plan on installing DSL, do I need to get a modem?


Are wireless mice worth it? I mean, dont you need to be always changing batteries, or do they come with chargers?

thanks

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Re: Trying to configure a computer intelligently.
Jun 14, 2004 5:39AM PDT

1. If your MB has on board firewire, you do not need an additional card unless you have more devices than ports on the MB.

2. If your PC has 10/100 LAN on board, this is for a hardware (wire) and not a wireless connection. You need a wireless adapter if you plan to use wireless devices.

3. You do not need a telephone modem for DSL. When you subscribe, you will need installation of the DSL. It might be a self install kit or you might have a tecnician come out and set it up for you. A DSL modem will be provided. In most cases, it will connect to your 10/100 LAN port. It's simple as that. Good luck with your PC.

- Collapse -
Re: Trying to configure a computer intelligently.
Jun 14, 2004 6:14AM PDT

Leo,

Regarding all of these questions, have you opened up the computer to check whether some of the items are already present? Which operating system are you running?

1. Regarding the firewire "slot" , this depends exactly on what you mean by that....I'm guessing you mean the motherboard has an integrated firewire controller PCI slot. If that's the case, you still need the firewire card which will place the firewire connection port/s in the back of the computer case. Are they already there??

2. The LAN ethernet card will allow you to connect to a network device of some sort. If you want to go "wireless", you WILL need additional hardware such as an internal/external wireless adapter, "instant" wireless adapaters, or wireless router, etc..depending on exactly what you want to do.

3. YES, a "DSL modem" is required IF you're going to use DSL, although there are internal modems available, I prefer the external DSL models. You can purchase one yourself, or generally the DSL installer will have them for rent/sale. If you're not going to use a dial-up connection, you don't need a standard data/fax modem.

4. About the wireless mice, it's your choice. Personally, I prefer using the old standard PS2 variety.

If you want to do some research on your own, have you tried searching http://www.google.com/?

Hope this helps.

Grif

- Collapse -
Re: Trying to configure a computer intelligently.
Jun 14, 2004 6:25AM PDT

if LAN on the motherboard isn't ethernet, then what is? And where would I put a wireless card?

Since I'm trying to buy a computer that wont need me to stick a lot of funny things into ports on the back (like i've been doing for my current dinosaur,) if I check off a wireless network adaptor, does that mean they'll install some sort of ethernet capability for me? Cuz I have a laptop that seems to be desperately trying to find itself a wireless network, (actually, it keeps offering to log into my neighbors,) and I didn't stick any ethernet card on the back.

- Collapse -
Re: Trying to configure a computer intelligently.
Jun 14, 2004 8:12AM PDT

Leo,

So you haven't bought this computer yet??? If so, designate that you only want a wireless network adapter installed. Then buy the router and the DSL modem and you're set. Is that what you mean?

If not....

It appears like you didn't read the link I provided earlier about the wireless router. (Click HERE to read about the Wireless Router

If you want to connect to a router using an internal wireless card, you'll need to install one, in much the same way that cable ethernet cards (NIC) are installed internally. (Generally, they're connected to a PCI slot on the motherboard.) Then again, it's not really necessary, depending on your preferences.

There are multiple ways to accomplish your task. Here is just one.

Starting at the outside DSL line, connect the DSL modem to the line, then connect a wireless router to the DSL modem. Now connect the new computer to the router through either an ethernet card and a CAT5/6 cable or through a new wireless card installation. Now connect the laptop to the wireless router so all computers can access the internet through the router, to the DSL modem, to the DSL line.

And here's a tutorial on networking configurations. Although it's basically about "cable" networking, you should get the idea. After reading the first page, click on "page 2", etc. to read about the options.

http://wpool.com/cablesharing/1.htm

Hope this helps.

Grif

- Collapse -
So what is LAN?
Jun 14, 2004 9:59AM PDT

I think I get it.
Computer needs wireless network adaptor.
With the wireless network adaptor it can connect to the router, and thereby access other computers also in the network. It can also share internet connection.

Alright, I know I need a network adaptor.
But then what in the world is LAN? I sort of got the idea that it had somethign to do with wireless networks.

Thanks so much for the help.

- Collapse -
Re: So what is LAN?
Jun 14, 2004 10:46AM PDT

It's short for "Local Area Network". It could be computers and other devices in an office (or even a home these days) that are connected together for the purpose of sharing resources or whatever. Another term is WAN which is Wide Area Network and this would be a larger network made up of smaller ones that are linked. Your link to the Internet is basically a link to a WAN.

- Collapse -
Re: Trying to configure a computer intelligently.
Jun 14, 2004 1:39PM PDT

Leo, I love my Wireless Optical Logitech Mouse. Chuck the mouse pad!

The better copper-top batteries will get about 32 days per set of two but I am currently using rechargeable batteries that average a little over two weeks per charge. A set of four with charger cost me $9.95 at WalMart. I keep two in the mouse and two on charge. Good luck