Really stupid questions

I am very clueless about internet connections...I just received my laptop and I was wondering how I can get it connected to the internet. My desktop uses Verizon DSL with a Westell box (I don't even know what it is)....so yeah. How can I share the internet with that box? Also, what do you need to go wireless? Thanks so much in advance.

 

You need a wireless router, like this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16833127143

You plug the dsl connection into the router, then you can plug your desktop into the router and you laptop can connect wirelessly if it has a WiFi card.

 

The instructions you wrote is for a wireless router, right? What about now...when I only have the westell box?

 

I don't know what a Westell box is. I am assuming it is your modem. You should be able to plug the ethernet cable from your modem into the ethernet port on your laptop and have internet access. Buying a wireless router is really the easiest route if you want both computers hooked to the internet.

 

Yes, Westell = DSL Modem. I had one before I switched to cable modem.

 

Yeah, just get a router. A router doesn't have to be used as wireless. It can just be used as a 4 port switch to hook all your computers up and network. Your modem only lets you have one computer hooked up as if you plug a router into your modem, you have 4 (usually) ethernet ports to hook up things

 

im pretty much have the same situtation so i figured i didn't need to start a new thread (it may be rude to but im sorry). My laptop has Wifi so do i need to be hooked up to the internet? I don't have a router or modem and i may go with Mediacom or Verizon for the internet

 

If you want internet in your Home, you need to have internet (modem) and a wireless router to have wireless.
If you get one of those air cards from Verizon, you don't need internet in your home, but your WiFi card becomes useless since you need a new card to get coast to coast wireless.

 

I am still a bit unsure about how to plug my Westell modem into my notebook in order for the internet to work. Which cable do I use? The ethernet cable doesn't work....I tried plugging it into the RJ11 modem jack but it connected for a second and got cut off. Should I try the USB cable? I really am lost. I have a router but I don't know how to connect it to the computer. Thanks for all the help. I really appreciate it.

 

Well basically:

Wall(the phone line cable for DSL) -> Modem -> router ->computer/laptop(either wired or wirelessly)

There should be a step by step guide included with your DSL

 

Ok...if you have USB on your modem, you can try that...however it's not always as stable(depends on the modem and if your service provider supports that...no idea myself).

RJ11 is the phone line cable. Look at your phone cable. Then, check the cable running from the Westell box to the back of your computer. That cable is a network cable. Pull it out. Plug looks very similar to your phone cord(RJ11), but it's wider. It's called RJ45.

Odds are, you have an ethernet(network, RJ45) port and a modem(RJ11) port on your computer. You need to plug the cable that's plugged into the back of your computer, into the RJ45/ethernet jack on your laptop. It won't fit in the RJ11/modem jack, cause it's too wide. Typically...those two ports are right next to each other though.

This will connect you to the internet. Preferably, connect these cables while your laptop is off. It's not necessary(you can connect and disconnect while powered on, won't hurt it), but the computer needs to be granted an IP address to work online. It'll do it on it's own eventually, or you can force it, but I don't want to overwhelm you with that information. If you boot the computer up with this cable already connected, it'll go through obtaining an address on startup and you'll just be set to go when Windows loads. Easier to deal with that way for now.

You only need the router they talked about if you want to share the internet with the desktop(allow both to utilize it at the same time) and use the wireless feature of the laptop, so you're not tied with that cable to the modem.