Re: OTP: Computer questions

Carole wrote:
Donna G. wrote:

This will be my first computer. I currently have webtv which is on dialup service.

And, yes, I do want to be able to use the laptop any where in my
apartment and/or take it with me when not at home.

If you want to use it anywhere, make sure it has an airport type card installed.

Most new laptops have at least wireless g built in as a mini-pci now rather than as a separate card. Is this notebook going to be a pc or a mac?


You will then need a wireless router to connet it. If you get your service from your phone company, they will send someone to install the whole thing for you. If you are not familiar with all of this, it's probably worth whatever their service charge is :)

If the ISP doesn't charge a lot over retail for the wireless modem router, then as you suggest it's a good idea to go with the one they supply as they'll often have it either pre-configured or with a cdrom to help with the configuration, so little on site support is needed.

Make sure you get enough line filters if you're using ADSL: one for each phone, and a phone/adsl dual filter for the socket with the ADSL modem so you can have a phone on that jack as well.

You can get routers for good prices at Best Buy and other places like that. If you are getting DSL, you will need a modem which I'd suggest you get from the phone company. If you get your own, they will never know the settings for it.

Why not? Configuration for all modems is available to individuals and tech support online. Tech support from the ISP should be able to walk her through the configuration.

When I moved from Lynnwood to Bellingham, I had a Verizon modem...up here the phone company is Qwest and they couldn't help me at all getting it all hooked up.

Verizon probably put borked firmware into it - you may have had to reflash it with a generic firmware supplied by the manufacturer. We get that type of practice here, too, with large phone companies acting as ISPs.


The other thing you can do to save money is if you have a freecycle group near you, post and ask if someone has a modem they are not using. Often people have DSL, then switch to cable so they no longer need the DSL modem.

Definitely! Several people I've helped out here have acquired their modems that way.

I gave my Verizon one to a woman who needed it as it was just collecting dust at my other apartment :-)

Good advice, Carol :) These modems tend to last a long time.

Ari


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