Luddite Q - Getting Broadband, what do I need???
 

Am contemplating changing from Dial-up to broadband.

Have scoured the Best ISP sites and have chosen my preferred supplier/rate.

Am not sure what I need in terms of hardware and more importantly, does the chosen ISP supply this as part of their package or can/do I shop around (Ebay etc) to get it.

All I have at present is a BT phone line and a 56k modem (I do have virus software and a software firewall).

From those peeps who've made the move to Broadband, please could you tell me what I'll need in terms of hardware and if I sort this myself or does the ISP provide it?(FOC/chargeable/as part of their package etc).

Many thanks (as usual) for all your help.

Gc

Guy, mate it all depends on the provider and what package you are getting. Some of them provide an ADSL modem with the package and some don´t. If you could tell me what it was I could look at their website to find out what is included.

Also, it depends on what you want to do with your connection? Do you want wireless at home? Do you just want to have one PC connected etc etc? If you wanted more than one PC connected at home, and/or you wanted to be able to access your home PC from work or have a wireless laptop at home or want to share with friends PC´s/laptops when they come over etc .. lots of considerations really. What do you want to do?

I'm thinking of Eclipse and thier 'Flex' packages http://www.eclipse.net.uk/

It is for home use with just the one PC, altho it may be beneficial to use my wife's laptop on the broadband conneciton from time to time. Don't think remote access to my home PC will be necessary. I'm really just after faster uploads and downloads and not getting kicked off my conneciton every two hours like I do on my dialup ISP.

You will need a modem and at least one microfilter with eclipse as they don´t supply them.

I have to go in a second so I don´t have time to have a proper look at Eclipse but I know they are good. Some of the geeks I work with use them so they must be alright. They seemed to have a few different types of packages and I noticed an option to flex your speed which looks good as well.

If you only occasionally want to connect the wife´s laptop I would suggest that you just install the modem drivers on the laptop as well and just move the connection over (if it´s a USB modem) or you could buy a router which has all the bits and pieces. I have a Draytek Vigor router but Dlink make good ones as well. Plenty of options and you can get them with the ADSL modem builtinto the router - If you wanted to go down the router path I would suggest you get one with the ADSL modem built in, make life a bit easier.

Antony, Freak (jpmercer) and a few others on here should be able to fill in the gaps I´ve left. If I had more time ... sorry.

Cheers,

TP

Guy, if you need it I got a USB modem and microfilter. Surplus to requirements, as they say.

http://www.dialstart.net/adsl/default.asp i'm with them,very good,free modem and filters.....

Thanks chaps.

Felix. U have U2U

and as for Mogwai...I have only one thing to say to you..........BAD NEWS for you, and you and you and you.....

[Edited on 27-12-2004 by Guido]