Any help/advice appreciated.

Now, I'm still on the dreaded dial-up but feel the time has come to get broadband. I have an isp in mind and am ready to sign up but am not sure what to do r.e. the broadband modem. I have a USB Sagem broadband modem, cables, filters etc from a different broadband supplier (never used) and presume these will work OK but am not sure whether it would just be easier/less likely to go wrong if I paid

Assuming you're talking ADSL? It's a standard - anybody's kit should work. As long as you know the connection details for your ISP connect it up and configure it yourself.

And if you're talking NTL Cable (not sure about BY) then you have to rent their modem.

And if you're talking NTL Cable (not sure about BY) then you have to rent their modem.

Nope, Blueyonder just give you the modem to use all in the stated monthly price.

Nope, Blueyonder just give you the modem to use all in the stated monthly price.

Same difference..

But can you use a different modem other than that supplied by BlueYonder..

Same difference..

But can you use a different modem other than that supplied by BlueYonder..

Yes

Assuming you're talking ADSL? It's a standard - anybody's kit should work. As long as you know the connection details for your ISP connect it up and configure it yourself.

Sorry, yes, ADSL. So I guess if I contact them for the details before I sign up, there'll be no problems. Cheers fellas.

In my experience I'd much rather have an adsl modem that connects via ethernet rather than usb. If you have more than one PC and plan to "share" the internet connection, you may consider getting an adsl modem / router which uses ethernet and is inherently more stable.

With ethernet, you don't have any drivers to install and it's more of a plug in and go providing your PC already has a network card installed.

For the novice the USB modem is the way to go....very easy to do...just follow the instructions.

I f you want to share your internet connection between several PCs this is more difficult using USB.

If you want to share a connection between several PCs you need to get an ADSL Router...this is a combined ADSL modem and router.

Just plug in the ADSL connection from the splitter into the ADSL port of the router and the pcs to the ethernet ports....simple. Setting up the ADSL connection is also just a case of following the installation instructions.

Going wireless is a little more involved but not too difficult.....you would need a wireless ADSL Router though.

In my experience, USB was about as stable as Charles Manson.

I bought a NIC after 1 week of USB connectivity, it was simple to set up and has been faultless ever since.

USB...

Most motherboards these days have NIC capability already inbuilt. But I agree with you Geoff, for steadiness some sort of network card/motherboard is better than USB.

This is the fourth PC/laptop I've used my USB modem with and I've never had any problems.

The modem was supplied by my ISP (an Alcatel SpeedTouch from Clara) and when I first signed up for ADSL with them they just e.mailed me with the settings I needed to put in and away you go. They never sent a CD Rom and really if they had I wouldn't have used it. Everytime I've used the modem on another PC it's just a case of installing the modem drivers then start/run/inetwiz etc and that's it. If you've had the modem a while it is probably worth you checking for new drivers.

The only problem I can see you having Dave is getting an ISP that will do you a package without a modem. If you've already checked this out then fair enough but I can just see some call centre muppet going 'Computer says no...'

Broadband pah!!

I'm having a spot of bother with my connection at the mo, it's just that it won't connect.

Don't know what i'm doing wrong but the modem USB is plugged into tower, ADSL cable is plugged into filter. USB light is solid green light but the ADSL one is flashing away like a good'en. Had the line tested by BT that was OK, had the confirmation e-mail that everything is initialized but still nothing.

The only problem I can see you having Dave is getting an ISP that will do you a package without a modem. If you've already checked this out then fair enough but I can just see some call centre muppet going 'Computer says no...'

I'm going with Virgin. I know they're not highly rated but there offer suits me -

In my experience' date=' USB was about as stable as Charles Manson.

[/quote']

I agree, Ethernet or wireless through PCI (and a modem/router) all the way. For my wireless desktop set-up I first used a USB adapter to give it some space for manoeuvering from behind the steel backplate of the PC, but I'm going PCI with a detachable external antenna now. Just too much connection drops on USB - it just wasn't built for (wireless) networking.

Broadband pah!!

I'm having a spot of bother with my connection at the mo' date=' it's just that it won't connect.

Don't know what i'm doing wrong but the modem USB is plugged into tower, ADSL cable is plugged into filter. USB light is solid green light but the ADSL one is flashing away like a good'en. Had the line tested by BT that was OK, had the confirmation e-mail that everything is initialized but still nothing.[/quote']

Stab in the dark but is your PC trying to use the right modem? Do you still have the 56k one installed?

Stab in the dark but is your PC trying to use the right modem? Do you still have the 56k one installed?

Not being an interweb expert I don't really know. When I try and connect there is no dial tone but there is on the dial up modem, me thinks it's a connection problem.

Are you sure that you have the ADSL plugged in the correct socket of the filter.

If you plug it in the socket that looks like the normal telephone socket then you are filtering out the adsl signal.

It should be plugged in the Rj45 (small socket).

You will not hear dial tone on the adsl modem.

Just a thought.

Dougal

Not being an interweb expert I don't really know. When I try and connect there is no dial tone but there is on the dial up modem, me thinks it's a connection problem.

As Dougal says you won't get a dial tone with ADSL anyway.

What OS are you using?

If your previous modem is an internal one Des, your pc may still be looking for it to use. Sounds like your internet connection settings need adjusting m8, and for good measure get that internal modem card removed.

If your previous modem is an internal one Des, your pc may still be looking for it to use. Sounds like your internet connection settings need adjusting m8, and for good measure get that internal modem card removed.

My thoughts too.

I have a nice big toolbox, that does include a hammer Des

Rj45 ???

OS ???

Modem Card ???

Big Hammer, now your talking.

Rj45 ???

OS ???

Modem Card ???

Big Hammer' date=' now your talking. [/quote']

You have a PM Des.