Novice networker advice

[williambirchall]

I am purchasing a Speedtouch 585 Router/Modem. I wish to connect my Desktop to my Wifes Laptop which is wi-fi enabled. I am trying to establish whether I can connect the Router to my Desktop using the Ethernet cable or whether I need to install anything within my computer. I have an AMD Athlon 3000+XP using XP SP2. My motherboard is a Chaintech 7NJL1 Apogee. It says in the manual that it 'Supports 10/100Mb Fast Ethernet or 1/10Mb HomePNA 2.0 with external PHY' What does this mean? Does it need anything else and if so what?



Regards



Bill Birchall

[Kdonovan]

Is your router Wireless?
and Do you want to file share (do you want your wife to be able to get files off the desktop from the laptop)?

If it is a wireless router..hook up the main network wire comming into the house into the router. Connect the router to your Network port on the Desktop. If your Wifes Laptop has built in wireless enabled it should pick up the network on its own.
If the laptop has a wireless network card then software is usually required.

If you want to file share you need to set up a home network. Which can be done from the Network places screen.
I hope this helps Godd Luck!

[williambirchall]

Novice networker advice

Kdonovan

Thanks for the advice but it doesn't really address my question, which is 'can I connect the Router to my Desktop using the Ethernet cable or whether I need to install anything within my computer.'

Thanks anyway.



Regards



Bill

[Tuttle]

The way they've described it is unclear, unfortunately. If the motherboard has an RJ45 port where you can connect the Ethernet cable (and I suspect it does), it'll work. If not, there's probably some Chaintech-specific PCI slot cover you need to attach.

[williambirchall]

Tuttle
Thanks for your reply.
The Motherboard User Guide says:-
'ON BOARD LAN Fast Ethernet/Home Networking Controller with MII Interface Supports 10/100Mb Fast Ethernet or 1/10Mb HomePNA 2.0 with External PHY' Whether this is a RJ45 port, is beyond me. I am just trying to establish whether my Ethernet connection is adequate or whether it requires something else. I would also like to know whether I need to do something in BIOS to enable LAN or whether it picks it up automatically.



Regards



Bill

[zipulrich]

Try this - connect a piece of Cat5 (ethernet) cable from the port marked 'LAN' on the rear of the router to the RJ45 port (looks like an oversized phone jack) on the back panel of your computer. You may need to enter the router's config settings (instructions will be included with the router), but first simply try connecting to the Internet.

[Tuttle]

I don't think the specs will be much help -- just look at the back of the PC for the right jack.

The onboard LAN can be enabled/disabled in BIOS, but it should have been enabled by default.

[williambirchall]

zipulrich/Tuttle

Thanks for your input. I am sure that I have an RJ45 port and will connect the Ethernet cable from the Router to it. I will also check the Bios to ensure that LAN has been enabled.



Regards



Bill