A question for all you cable internet users out there. (Actually 3 questions).
I might be changing from dial-up access to either DSL or Cable modem connection. The ISP will be determined later after i've priced out all the competitors. My question is will I need to install a NIC in my desktop PC in order to connect to the internet via cable? Right now all i have is a winmodem installed in a PCI slot.
Also, if my roommate and I want to share that one cable internet service, will i need to buy a particular type of router?
3rd question is how will a Pent II (450 MHz I think) OS=Win 98 SE run on cable internet service? I told the person who asked me this question that it should be just fine. I guess she was thinking since its such an "older PC" ... she might not notice much of a difference compared to dial-up. I told her it's more a function of connectivity rather than the CPU. Which is only partly true since a 2 GHz CPU would allow you to process the webpages faster compared to a 450 MHz CPU. Anyone agree on this?
>I might be changing from dial-up access to either DSL or >Cable modem connection. The ISP will be determined later >after i've priced out all the competitors. My question is >will I need to install a NIC in my desktop PC in order to >connect to the internet via cable? Right now all i have is >a winmodem installed in a PCI slot.
You will need a NIC in each computer you connect, you can buy a good NIC for $5 - $20.
>Also, if my roommate and I want to share that one cable >internet service, will i need to buy a particular type of >router?
A router is the beast and easiest way to connect multiple computers.
>3rd question is how will a Pent II (450 MHz I think) OS=Win >98 SE run on cable internet service? I told the person who >asked me this question that it should be just fine. I guess >she was thinking since its such an "older PC" ... she might >not notice much of a difference compared to dial-up. I told >her it's more a function of connectivity rather than the >CPU. Which is only partly true since a 2 GHz CPU would >allow you to process the webpages faster compared to a 450 >MHz CPU. Anyone agree on this?
The speed of the computer will make little or no difference in the speed of a cable connection. A 400MHz computer is much faster than any internet connection.
I might be changing from dial-up access to either DSL or Cable modem connection. The ISP will be determined later after i've priced out all the competitors. My question is will I need to install a NIC in my desktop PC in order to connect to the internet via cable? Right now all i have is a winmodem installed in a PCI slot.
Yes you will need a NIC card in a PCI slot. You can go with USB if you cable provider offers it. I do not recommend USB unless you do not have an empty PCI slot.
Also, if my roommate and I want to share that one cable internet service, will i need to buy a particular type of router?
That would be the best setup since you can share an IP address and not have to be charged for a second for your niehbor. See the diagram for a Linksys router and how to configure it.
3rd question is how will a Pent II (450 MHz I think) OS=Win 98 SE run on cable internet service? I told the person who asked me this question that it should be just fine. I guess she was thinking since its such an "older PC" ... she might not notice much of a difference compared to dial-up. I told her it's more a function of connectivity rather than the CPU. Which is only partly true since a 2 GHz CPU would allow you to process the webpages faster compared to a 450 MHz CPU. Anyone agree on this?
The CPU has very little to do with your access speed which will be a substantial increase.