We have 2 computers. One is online and the other isn't. Is there a way to hook up both computers to the internet connetion? (We have comcast cable internet.)

-HG(who hopes so cuz the 11 yr old taking over my computer is sooooo aggravating.)

Mine is set up with a wireless router. I have a wireless router set up on my main computer ( the one that has the comcast modem connected.
The other computer has a wireless link, a small "thing" that pluggs into the USB port on the back and "transmits" to the wireless router on the other computer.
Comcast could tell you if there is a way to link it to the cable directly, but I don't know the costs. My wireless router was about $30 on sale. The wireless link was less. Both are easy to set up as they come with directions that "walk" you right through the set up!

This is our goal, eventually. We fight for the computer with all three kids (4, 8 and 10). I usually log on after they go to bed, if at all.

Apparently, when we go wireless, our Wii can be used to surf the net, too -- anyone do this?

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We have 2 computers. One is online and the other isn't. Is there a way to hook up both computers to the internet connetion? (We have comcast cable internet.)

Buy a router/switch; I recommend wireless even if you don't need it currently, just to have it for the time when you might want it. You may also need a couple computer cables if they are not laptops. Simply plug both into the back of the router and the router into the comcast cable that currently goes into your PC and that is about it; everything should happen automatically for a basic configuration.

WI-FI is definately the way to go. I have a WI-FI card in my laptop and I use it in the local coffee shop and at my parents house when I visit them. As an added bonus if you share a router you can network the computers together and share files bewteen them.

Shiloh

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WI-FI is definately the way to go. I have a WI-FI card in my laptop and I use it in the local coffee shop and at my parents house when I visit them.

I completely agree but did not assume she was talking about laptops or desktops specifically, just that I would get a wireless router in either case. I never wanted a laptop, then I never wanted wireless, now, I hardly touch the desktop machine except via remote access software FROM the laptop... LOL

Buy a router/switch; I recommend wireless even if you don't need it currently, just to have it for the time when you might want it. You may also need a couple computer cables if they are not laptops. Simply plug both into the back of the router and the router into the comcast cable that currently goes into your PC and that is about it; everything should happen automatically for a basic configuration.

Sounds easy enough. It'll be my next rainy day project. :)

-HG

I picked up a wireless router and a reciever (antenna) that plugs into the other computer by usb cable at walmart. I think the router was about 70-ish and the antenna was 60. It made my daughter's school computer wireless without openng the case and installing hardware, which the school doesn't allow.

we had a wireless network before, but it was older and none of the new antennas would work with it...so I had to get the new router especially for the new antenna.

our home network now consists of: the desktop in heart writer's room where the cable attaches to the computer, my laptop that I use in place of a desktop, my older laptop that heart writer is using in the office in place of a desktop, a very old desktop that is being used to store all our files on so anyone can access them, and star writer's school-provided desktop.

anyway, the brand of router I got is linksys, and it has been very reliable and good, as well as inexpensive. they're listed at walmart.com also, but I didn't have time to wait for them to arrive so went down to the store and picked them up.

night writer

I saw that thread about a computer question on the Stupid Questions board, but the Stupid Questions board is for letterboxing questions. (It's even in the letterboxing category!) So I went to move the thread and a strange thing happened--it didn't seem to fit any better anywhere else.

So I scratched my head and thought a bit and finally thought, "Hey! New board!" =) Lord knows there's plenty of electronics among this group of people--cell phones, iPods, PDAs, yadda, yadda, yadda. Wi-Fi and Wi-MAX networks. Where to talk about technical stuff?

Now you have a place. It's in the Hobby Box category, since I like to think it's a hobby. ;o)

-- Ryan

Earlier this week I washed my cell phone in the pocket of a pair of pants. Luckily I had insurance and today my new phone arrived. To my surprise and delight, the replacement is a newer version of the phone and it has itunes (with great headphone speakers) and a camera/video feature. Starting to wish I had washed it a while ago - ha.

~ Louise

Thanks Ryan!

Flour Girl

ok, so here is the first question. I'm a massage therapist and would like to carry music with me when I take my table to a client. something small and EASY. I say MP3 played on walmart.com for about 79.00. http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5238420#reviews
any better other suggestions or input?

I wonder if it is too late to buy insurance on my phone, and then wash it. my phone is outdated. buy I but they wouldn't give me a phone with out re newing the service agreement and then they'd charge more .

lol - worth a shot.

~ Louise

Great idea for a board, oh Green One!

My cell phone is three years old, brick-like, and is starting to flake out on me - dropping calls and refusing to make calls. We are past our 2 year service contract with Verizon and free to use whatever carrier we want.

What do people think is the best cell phone option?

We would need two phones (well, one if the Piper's newer flip-model works with whatever it is) and or possibly three if we decide to add a line for AfghanPenguin if it's affordable.
We mainly call each other and our land line with the occasional call to the doctor or soccer carpool parents ;) I've never gone over 30 minutes in a month. Don't need a camera or text or anything, just a way to call home from the grocery store to see if we're out of milk (the answer's always yes) or for a kid to call and tell us to come get them from whatever cool thing teenagers are doing.

Are there any plans that people like, or carriers to stay away from?

Mariette

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with out re newing the service agreement and then they'd charge more .

That depends on who your service is with. I renewed my plan recently, and got a new razor...and have the same payment plan as I signed up for two years ago. You can't get it as inexpensively as I have it for anymore.

If you don't have any problems with Verizon, you can get a very basic phone for free (They have a new every two program). The second line should also have a very basic phone for very little if not also free. I stayed with my old plan when I re-upped, and I am not paying more than I was two years ago. I got a spiffy new phone for free, and one for a discount for my DH's line...If you check your account online, you can see what phones you can get. I did that, and ordered online rather than deal with the people at the nearest verizon place.

I have looked at others but especially here in the mountains...
I have to keep with Verizon.
They have had by far the best signals and service.

their new premium family share plans are pretty awesome

We switched from Sprint to Verizon several years ago due to coverage issues in our NC mountains--namely pretty poor from Sprint. If you have no problem with Verizon service, stick with them and get a free phone.

Knit wit

Speaking from "in your neighborhood" (so to speak) I have to say that Verizon has proven itself to be the best coverage for us. In fact, it's the only service that you can get in our specific area... although I'm sure others have coverage once you get out of these hills.

Mr. Gryffindor and I each have a phone and the last time I got a free upgrade we gave my old phone to the two little Gryffindors to take with them when they are out playing or staying with a friend. It is so nice not to have to go outside and scream like a banshee when it's time for them to come home.

We've had Verizon service for maybe 5 or 6 years now and have always been happy with them. Although we did run into trouble when we tried to go to their "one bill" option. It failed miserably and got our billing all screwed up... we won't try that again. But other than that we've had great service and really great help when we've changed plans or whatever...

Carianna of the GG

I have had cingular for a while but now that AT&T bought them out there coverage is a little spotty. You would think it would have gotten better but its actually worse. I am switching to verizon for better coverage.

I have sprint. I hate them. They are evil.

chadams

I have sprint. I hate them. They are evil.

And expensive.

I'm trying to view/download TV episodes from the US, but my provider & location is in the UK and it keeps kicking me out saying US only. Is there a way to get around this?

Thanks

I had Verizon for years and never had one issue - both with connection and billing. Almost always able to connect wherever I was in the US (I had their national plan). If you're getting good connections without dropped calls, I'd stick with them. My husband tried Cingular (to save some money with a cheaper plan) with both Motorola and Nokia phones and had tons of dropped calls. And people I know with Sprint report the same sort of dropped call issues - although I can't say for sure since I never used them. The dollar or two you might save with going with someone else probably isn't worth the headache over poor service - at least that was our experience. :)

So I have a Gen. 3 iPod (ancient, I know) and it's a little temperamental. I have looked around in the past on Apple message board and whatnot, and cannot find a way to cure it of it's annoying little habit. It makes this high-pitched, almost pulsating, screeching sound. Usually when you turn it on, plug it in to something, or sometimes when you try to skip songs. Eventually it cooperates (most of the time), but not always.
I've wiped out its little mind a couple times, but to no avail.
Any ideas?
And by "ideas" I mean, "don't just tell me to go buy and iPod Touch because I can't afford to right now." :P

Thaaaanks!
-otterbelly & spinky (the ipod)

I notice no one has mentioned Alltel, is this because no one uses it?! When we finally broke down and got cell phones, we went with Alltel b/c everyone we knew was on it basically and network calls are free.

As a result, we pay for the smallest plan we could get (and hardly ever come close to hitting the minutes) and I think that comes up to around $60-70 for both phones (my man takes care of that bill, I never look at it). But we also got Kyocera Strobe phones which flip open to a keyboard. We are text fanatics (I hate talking on the phone in public, plus when I go on business trips I text him the hotel # to call and I can avoid roaming charges and we save $) and we pay for a text package as well on each phone. Oh, and we got these phones for free with a 2 year plan other than the activation fee.

It's all still cheaper than a landline, we don't bother with that anymore at all.

moonduck

Is there a tech support line you can call? Doesn't sound like this is something it should be doing?! Sounds like a lemon-- maybe Apple will replace it for you (it's a long shot, but it can't hurt to inquire!) -- got a brand new digital camera that way when mine read the memory card.

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I have sprint. I hate them. They are evil.

I don't know about them being evil, but I have to agree with the sentiment. I have Sprint currently (have had for about 3 years now) and, when my contract is up, I am strongly considering Verizon.

My coverage with Sprint is good, when you can get signal. I have a cell tower very close to my home, however, my whole house is a black hole. What's up with that? (yeah, yeah, I know... different owners of the towers and contracts, etc. etc., yada-yada-blah). Ugh.

~SHH :-)

Well I've had it since 2003, so the warranty is long gone, and I think that's as long as the free tech support lasts. Lemon.. Apple. That's funny. :)