sharing dsl

[os1kne]

How far apart are the two computers? Would it be difficult to run ethernet cable from one to the other? If it's not difficult, and the computers won't be portable I prefer wired over wireless - but everyone has their own opinion.

Wireless PCI network cards tend to be $35-50.
Wired PCI 10/100 network cards tend to be $25.
The network cable will cost something, so the price difference isn't really a factor. Wired networks are just faster and more reliable than wireless.

I'm a big fan of the Linksys routers/switches/hubs, etc.
I'm a big fan of the Netgear network cards.

Both companies make good stuff, I've just had more experience with the
Linksys routers/switches/hubs and have never had a problem - so I stuck with them. I've probably installed about an equal number of network cards (dozens) from both companies and I've had fewer problems with the Netgear network cards. I'd rate Netgear network cards a 9 and Linksys an 8.

I'm not a fan of D-Link products. I know people that are more experienced than me that swear by them, but I just haven't had much luck with them in my limited use of a few of their products.

Note: I've been fortunate in that I haven't needed to buy a network card for any of the computers that I've worked on in around 3 years, so it's entirely possible that some of these new names (no names?) that are on the shelves today for a few dollars less than the name brands make great products - but I doubt it. If Harbor Freight sold computer gear, this stuff would probably be on their shelves. I don't like having network stuff behave irratically or die after little use, so I'm an advocate of getting quality stuff from the beginning - it doesn't cost much more and saves a lot of headaches.

Good luck!!

Here's a link to pics showing different ways to get it done - http://www.dslreports.com/pictures

[Wood_workur]

I would go with a linksys or belkin router, and ethernet. usb it way too slow for one computer, nevermind 2+

[John Hunter]

Do not go with a hub! I have Verizon DSL and used a hub for a long time with 2 computers. Then it just quit working. I thought something was wrong with the hub but found out that Verizon had made some changes and the hub would no longer work. I replaced it with a router and everything has been just fine ever since.

[LCHIEN]

First, thanks for all the help. I must first admit that I gave you some bad info. The computer I now have is hooked using an ethernet cable. It seems clear that ethernet is the way to go. The second computer will be used for web surfing and an occasional E-Mail. The rub is that it does not have an ethernet connection. I suspect that is not a difficult situation to rectify.I do not know about the cost. That leaves me needing ethernet cable,an ethernet port for the PC and either a hub or switch. Does that sound about right? I am using a Wirespeed B90 DSL router.

If you have a router then you don't need the hub or switch, generally the router will have at least two ports and maybe four or 8 ports for attaching other computers.

Oh, you say you have a router, but its not really a router, A Wirespeed B90 is just a modem, not a router, according to info on the web. More bad info, I guess...

Never mind. You'll need a router which has a Ethernet port to the modem
and several ethernet ports for computers.
Your existing PC can plug into the router using a network cable.
Your other PC can have (and here are the choices)
1) inexpensive PCI internal Network card + network cable
2) inexpensive USB to Ethernet converter + network cable (IF you have a fast USB port then this will simplfy life if you don't like to open computers, but the internal card is better)
3) Make the router a wireless router and install a PCI wireless network card - this is the best (don't have to run cable) but most complex setup.