Comcast Internet/(networking).....

[BahamaMama]

questions GALORE to go into this thread.... (cuz i know that any answer will bring up more questions) :scared

What is an ethernet (sp?) card, and do they usually come with computers?

is it something that is computer specific, or kinda a one size fits all type thing??

cable internet is WIRED internet, isn't it?? what is wireless?

 

[KotysDad]

BM...

I am not a computer expert, which means I can answer your initial questions but probably will be of no help with any follow up questions.

An ethernet card is a piece of hardware that allows your computer to understand messages that are coming from a specific network you are trying to connect to. I dont believe they come with computers by default. The way I understand them, they arent computer specific as much as network specific. Different networks may use different protocols to send data and if your computer is connected to this network it will need a network interface card (NIC - same as ethernet card) to understand the messages.

Cable internet is wired. Wireless technology obviously doesnt require the use of any wire to connect to a network. You have a computer that sends data in a certain radio frequency to things called "access points". These access points then communicate with a master database to determine if you should get access to the network. There are a number of security issues with wireless technology but that's a topic for another time I am sure.

Dont know if this helps, but I can try to answer follow up questions if the computer experts dont see the thread for awhile.

 

[Penguinfan]

Your computer probably does have an ethernet card, almost all do nowadays if you recently purchased the computer. I am assuming this is a desktop, look on the back of the computer and look for something that looks like you should plug an ordinary phone line into but is bigger than a phone line, that is your ethernet card.

 

[Penguinfan]

If you don't have a card and are ordering service from comcast they will give you one to use and install it for you. As far as the wireless thing goes, if you have more than one computer that you want internet service too you can hook them up through a router (actually you'll have to). Think of it as a splitter for your cable TV. The internet cable comes in the house to the modem (they will supply this) from the modem it goes to the router and from the router to the ethernet card on each computer by cords that look like telephone cords only larger. Now if you don't want to run cable all over the house for the internet you can do it wirelessly which is actually cheaper these days considering the price of the cords. You get a wireless router place it by your main computer and still run a small cable from it to the ethernet card on the computer, only now instead of running cable to the second computer you get a wireless reciever card that goes in the second computer and acts as a reciever so there is no need for an ethernet card. Some laptops have this card built right into the computer. Linksys is the most popular it seems.

I am guessing you are just now ordering service or are thinking about it, I have built and re-built networks for my house and if you have any questions post them here or get my e-mail from Jack. You have stumbled on the one thing I actually know something about, Vegas is stunned.

 

[BahamaMama]

UGH....i'm SO confused on what it really is that i'm looking for... not sure if it is networking that i WANT, or if it's just that i need to go that route to keep the monthly costs down or something!!

how 'bout we go this route, i'll explain the whole situation and you guys that have an actual CLUE (unlike myself) can point me in the right direction

currently we have AOHell and MSN dial ups (will be keeping the MSN as it provides my dad with his WebTV and will be useful when traveling)

the computers involved right now (and this will be changing shortly *after* X-mas, but wanted the comcast as a gift FOR X-mas for my son) are Compaq Presario 2100 notebook (XP Home), HP Pavilion 510c (XP home), and an E-Machine 733i (Windows ME)

what i want, is all 3 of these computers to be able to be connected to comcast internet at one time, and i want them to be able to be in 4 different rooms and want the family room to be able to have all 3 computers in it at one time....does this mean i would have to get 6 wires coming in?

when i called comcast a few months ago, it sounds to me as if they aren't networked, have to pay the straight monthly fee for EACH computer, but if they ARE networked, it is only one fee?? (does that sound like i understood it correctly?)

it would be really cheap to have done if i went with them handing me a disk to install stuff myself (but think this is a one computer only situation) $19.95 or something like that. The cost for networking 3 computers is somewhere in the $350 range, and they said i'd either have to get an ethernet card for each computer, or could buy them from them for $30 each.

next part of the problem is..... as soon as laptops go on sale after X-mas, gonna get them laptops. does this mean i would have to have comcast come back to network 2 more computers, or would i just have to plug them in to the old wires??

DAMN TECHNOLOGY, but hey, at least we won't run as slow as an arthritic snail any more!!

 

[BahamaMama]

If you don't have a card and are ordering service from comcast they will give you one to use and install it for you. As far as the wireless thing goes, if you have more than one computer that you want internet service too you can hook them up through a router (actually you'll have to). Think of it as a splitter for your cable TV. The internet cable comes in the house to the modem (they will supply this) from the modem it goes to the router and from the router to the ethernet card on each computer by cords that look like telephone cords only larger. Now if you don't want to run cable all over the house for the internet you can do it wirelessly which is actually cheaper these days considering the price of the cords. You get a wireless router place it by your main computer and still run a small cable from it to the ethernet card on the computer, only now instead of running cable to the second computer you get a wireless reciever card that goes in the second computer and acts as a reciever so there is no need for an ethernet card. Some laptops have this card built right into the computer. Linksys is the most popular it seems.

I am guessing you are just now ordering service or are thinking about it, I have built and re-built networks for my house and if you have any questions post them here or get my e-mail from Jack. You have stumbled on the one thing I actually know something about, Vegas is stunned.

does this mean that i do NOT have to have the puters networked, and they can all be online at the same time??? (for a single monthly fee) if so, it is EXACTLY what i'm looking to do.... (not that i don't want the kids to have access to my crap, but well, wait, it IS that i don't want them to)

 

[Penguinfan]

NO NO NO, it is really much easier than you think. You can set up a home network fairly easy, the router and networking cards and such you can do yourself, as far as configuring the computers themselves you probably want someone to do that for you if you are not farmiliar with it, ALTHOUGH I can walk you through it via some sort of chatroom if you want (obviously one computer will need to be on-line for that option). When Comcast installs the service they will install a cable modem in your house where the internet cable comes in the house, this will look just like your TV cable, from the modem will be a wire that looks like a very large telephone line, this will go in the back of your desktop to the ethernet card, then the tech will leave. From there you can setup your own network. You will need a wireless router:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=1051384663529&skuId=5250774&type=product

Your other 3 computers will need a way to recieve the signal, and that does not mean they need an ethernet card, though they might.
Go to this page and look at the second option, you will need this for each of the OTHER desktops in the house:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage...d=5250774&productCategoryId=pcmcat25300050001
That will recieve the signal and interpret it for the computers.

As far as the laptop goes you it may already have a card built in, if not go to the page in the last link and look at the third option, the wireless notebook card, it simply plugs in and unplugs as easy as can be, I actually have the exact one in the picture and have no use for it anymore, if you want it you can have it, Merry Christmas.

Do not let Comcast sell you a bunch of stuff you do not need, nor should you hire them to install the network, I can honestly walk you through it over chat or phone converstaion, do not pay them for this.

Once this is in place all the computers can be on-line at lightning speed at once doing 4 different things at the same time.

Congratulations on stepping into the 21st century, you will not be sorry and won't look back.

 

[Penguinfan]

We posted at the same time, the NO NO NO was in reply to the earlier post, you can do esactly what you want for 1 monthly fee, reguardless of what Comcast tells you.

 

[Penguinfan]

One more thing, you can get all the equipment shown above alot cheaper, thats just the easiest site for me to link to so you know what to buy, Ebay is probably the best route for this stuff.

 

[BahamaMama]

PF...you're an absolute saint for this info!!! have to leave for Wal-Mart right now for the rest of the X-mas shopping (BIG SPENDER, EH?? LOL) you know, the underwear, socks, boots, jeans type of thing

i'll look at those links for accessories i will need tomorrow morning when the head is clear.... and yes, would love to hit a chat room or a phone when i really get into hooking things up....

so when i call comcast to set up installation (which may be on monday now that i know to only have it set up to one puter -----MINE ) .....what do i tell them i want?? the professional install, or the basic? (i think the professional means that they would do the installing of it on my computer, is that correct?) would i still need them to leave me the disk to install it on the other computers?

Thanks SOOOO much for this help, i'll get back to the thread in a few hours after battling the nutty drivers during the first snow of the season.

 

[Penguinfan]

I am not sure what Comcast considers basic and professional installation. If your computer already has an ethernet card then there really is nothing to intsall on your computer. There is no software necessary to add to your computer, the computer already knows how to access the internet, Comcast is just giving it a way to do it. If you have an ethernet card I would say the basic install is all you will need, just make sure the modem is in a place where you will be able to get to the back of it to unplug and replug stuff.

 

[Chanman]

BahamaMama& PF- I just switched ISPs and I had an Ethernet connection installed on my home computer as this was supposed to be better communication, faster?, than hooking to the USB port. I recommend the Ethernet, but not sure how much better this makes the connection. Can you elaborate Pengy?

 

[Penguinfan]

Ethernet cards are supposed to be better, I honestly do not know why and couldn't even guess. The wireless cards being installed in the other desktops in Bahama Mama's case are basically just wireless ethernet cards so to speak. I don't think wireless is any more expensive since the cost of 5 very long ethernet cables to route everything would be expensive as well.

Chanman, who is your ISP now. I have zoominternet adn I have been told that they are just a sub-contractor for Comcast, any idea about that? I can get Comcast in my area and it's actually a few dollars a month less, but not sure about TV service and all that.

 

[Chanman]

I just got mine from the Cable TV in my area. really fast & I had it up n runnin in 15 mins. I was on dial up before waiting for upgrades in phones lines and got tired of waiting. This is more expensive, discounr for 3 mos then price depends on bundled package you order, but I pay per month and can always change. Thanx, Channie

 

[Kdogg21]

i work for Comcast so if you have any more questions about it let me know. the homenetworking is great through comcast, i have 2 computers and my playstation all hooked up wireless. the monthly rate is the same, but if you want to rent the router/modem its $5/month. i always say rent it, because if anything goes wrong, or any new ones come out, you can get it replaced for free. usually the install fee is $149, but they have a deal where you can get $100 off. if you need those wireless ethernet cards, we supply them at $30/each. they are under a lifetime warrenty as well.

 

[Penguinfan]

Kdogg, when you say work for Comcast are you in installation tech or do you work at the office or what? If you work in the office can you tell me if my local cable company is just reselling me the Comcast cable because I think this is the case and if so I am just gonna switch to Comcast and save a couple bucks a month. As it is the service is great and thats why I haven't changed, but if it's the same thing being re-sold then WTF.

 

[Kdogg21]

i work direct sales/installation so i am really out in the field. if your not sure of your local cable company, you can go to like a tv guide channel where it displays like whats on now and in the next hour or 2, there it will show you what provider you have. i myself usually come around 1 house per week getting Comcast cable, where they signed up with a different provider. sometimes the other companies techs are lazing, and they will just hook into our tap, which is illegal. people get pissed off when i cut their cable, but hey, you either sign up with us or tell your cable provider to hook up in the right place. Comcast is usually a bit more money than most providers, but they offer a bit more and the customer service is their #1 focus.