router??????????????

im after a router so my son can use his comp iv bought for xmas,was told by currys i would need a adapter as well and contact my isp, im with cable and elswhere ive been told its a matter of `plugging it in`can someone advice me in laymans terms as i havnt the foggiest what im asking or looking for,thanks everso.

Are you on broadband??

According to hubby, there are two main types of broadband - cable and ADSL. If you have cable you will need a cable router (not an ADSL router). PC World have a decent cable router (netgear). He's sure if you go to PC World they will advise you on which is best for you and on setting it up. One consideration you should have is if you're son's computer is wireless enabled, you may wish to get a wireless cable router, thus reducing the need for wires between the router and the computer.

I was gonna opt for a wireless router for a laptop i`ve bought for my son until I had a word with a fella who see`s to r`mauds computers at work. He told me unless you`ve got all the necessary software (can`t think what he called it) its frightening how people (scumbags) can access all your personal details etc and all from basically just sitting outside of your home. So I thought sod it and got meself a 40ft long ethernet cable (£3 off ebay) better safe than sorry

D-Link DI604 was recommended to me. I got one off e-bay for £9.05, they have them in Scan in Horwich but they're a bit dearer.

Very true, teash, that's why I leave all that sort of thing to hubby. He works in IT so knows what he's doing.

Agreed Teash. Wouldn't recommend wireless. We started off with wireless but was getting lots of problems with it so I got a 20M length of data cabling at work and got one of the lads to make me up a lead! It works beltin' now with none of the probs we had before.

please im more confused than ever now,what is an ethernet cable teash????????? been in touch with comet this morn said i would need card to go in back of comp- im with cable

An ethernet cable just plugs into the back of the pc (providing its got a slot for one) it looks like a phone plug but just a lidl bit bigger and then it plugs into the router, and its literally plug in and play. Bought my son a laptop for xmas plugged cable into the back of it and away it was straight onto the net no software needed or nowt

Maddy the card Comet are refering to is a LAN (Local Area Network) most modern machines have them built in so you probably wont have to buy one, it does look like a phone fitting, if you are unsure if you have LAN on board just right click on my computer, go to properties, click on the hardware tab, click on device manager & look in network adapters

Go to a proper place. Comet is ok if you want a new kettle or toaster.

Go to a computer shop & ask his advice the one in Ashton is great & will help all he can, dosen't have to cost owt,I mean the lads that repair & update computers,