you have $250.

[isus]

catchy title, don't you think?

alright, here's the deal. after years of having to use dial-up, i think i have finally convinced my mother to get cable internet. i can get the self-install package from comcast, and either figure it out for myself, or i can get a friend to help me out.

the problem:
well, i am sure i could figure out how to hook it up to one computer. but we will need to hook up 5 computers, 3 wirelessly.

you have $250. find me the best way to get this done (do not worry about nic's or the little pc card thingys or cables).

thanks :)

[isus]

p.s.: two of the comps are macs, so and they are 2 of the 3 comps i need hooked up wirelessly. oh, and a print server would be nice too.

the best thing i found was a motorola surfboard modem at best buy... 5 port router, print server, and wireless. $250 and then has a $30 mail-in rebate, so it's only $220.

[Wolfie]

When I did my setup with a wireless router (d-link) the router itself came to about 100 or so bucks. What gets bit steep is wireless network cards (50-60$ a pop) for however many computers you want to network.

[Sephiroth]

Youll need a wireless acess point w/ router its all one thing. Hook your cable modem up to the router and the wired computers up to the router.

Make sure that your getting one that supports whatever wireless protocol that you already have on your computers.

Then i guess read the instructions so you create a secured wireless network so no one else but you can use your internet which is the important part.

[isus]

Youll need a wireless acess point w/ router its all one thing. Hook your cable modem up to the router and the wired computers up to the router.

Make sure that your getting one that supports whatever wireless protocol that you already have on your computers.

Then i guess read the instructions so you create a secured wireless network so no one else but you can use your internet which is the important part.

i would secure it, except i am in the middle of nowhere.

if someone is out here, in the back woods in the middle of friggin nowhere, they can do whatever the hell they want for all i care.

but any suggested products, guys?

[Sephiroth]

I hear good things about linksys routers. But if you also have to buy the modem then motorola one that you posted is probably what youd want to get since it has everything that you want. Which i hear motorola makes really good cable modems.

[isus]

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....oryId=cat01029

thanks seph. i'll grab that one and use wep and figure that all out :)

do you use cable internet?
how does it work? i mean, i understand that it comes through the cable line, but i still wanna be able to use my tv, and how the hell does it send anything back UP the line? i understand computers, but not cable tv. lol.

[Sephiroth]

I dunno i have DSL or the college lan.

This site explains it though
http://computer.howstuffworks.com/cable-modem1.htm

Even explains how the modem itself works on the next page.

[isus]

i heart you seph.

yea, i found one over at cnet.

thanks :)

[Dswissmiss]

Why Bestbuy though? Check out newegg.com, they have much lower prices, and for any online buying, check with www.resellerratings.com first to make sure it's a legit site.

[isus]

why best buy:
bc i was in best buy yesterday picking up a modem for someone who needs a new one, and i was 50% there convincing my mother to get cable internet, and i was just showing her the choices.

best buy had the modem, with all the features, etc etc.

i just didn't know the model name, so why waste my crappy ass bandwidth (i'm still a 26.4k'er for now) looking for other sites that have it for less?

it was just an example. when i go to buy it, i will most likely look at pricewatch and the rest, but hell, best buy has a $30 rebate on the thing right now, i wouldn't be sure you could find it for less than $220.

[isus]

eww, that made a lot of sense.

the $30 rebate is a mail-in one. so i suppose no matter where i buy it, as long as i have proof of purchase, i can get the form from somewhere and fill it out.

haha.

[SuitablyTwisted]

eww, that made a lot of sense.

the $30 rebate is a mail-in one. so i suppose no matter where i buy it, as long as i have proof of purchase, i can get the form from somewhere and fill it out.

haha.

Rebates are a waste of time and a test of patience. Talk to a store manager and ask for the discount at the register. I've never had BestBuy do this, but Office Max, Staples and Office depot do it regularly. Mostly because they know the competition does it and they want your business.

[isus]

well to me a mail-in rebate is easy. yea, write down your name, toss it in the mail, wait about a week. where does this become complicated/difficult for people?

i found the cable modem from some place i have never heard of before but it's only $176 minus $30 more, and it's less than $150. but then i hafta pay s&h...

[Ken17625]

wait about a week.

How about 8 weeks...................