Hi guys. We've currently got one computer on the internet. We have a cable going from a phone outlet, to our modem, and then two the computer. And we also have a splitter attatched at another outlet that is used for the phone. Just wondering, if i wanted to connect a second computer downstairs to the internet as well, would i be able to just buy another modem for the 2nd computer, or would a need to buy a better modem that both the computer would connect to.
Thanks heaps.

ahhaha i dont mean to laugh but im glad u asked because the answer is simple. A router, just hook up the modem and run a cable from the modem to the router which then leaves you with 5 open spaces for 5 computers should you wish it. So you will be able to have 2 computers able to connect to the internet at the same time.

any further questions just ask

hmm ok...this could be a problem. You see one computer is downstairs and the other is upstairs on the opposite side of the house. There is a phone socket connection thing at each computer, so is it possible to connect each computer to its own phone socket with its own modem? Its just that this would save running wires throughout the house.

Not really. The modem is how your computer, and soon to be computers, connect to your provider. Your provider gives you a single point of access to the internet, your modem, but they don't care how you split it up on your side. Just like the phone company and your phone line. You pay for one line, but they don't care how many extensions you have in the house on that line and if only 1 person in the house is talking or there are 5 people in on the conversation. If you want 2 seperate lines, you'll pay for the second one, which is what would be happening if you used a second modem. So, that's only a good plan if you want to double what you're paying.

You need to do two things. One, split up that single internet connection so more than one computer can use it, and two, get it to the other side of your house. You'll need a router to share the connection, and you can buy one that has a wireless access point built in, which solves your second problem. Linksys makes a good one, the WAP54g, and you can find it for $50-60. Don't buy the Speed boost variety which is $20 more unless you're planning on sending big files between the computers, which it doesn't sound like you plan on doing. You'll also need a wireless adapter for the second computer so it can connect to the new router. You'll plug your modem into your new router, your computer sitting there plugs into the router, plug you wireless adapter into the second computer and you're set.

Thanks heaps, great info.

Are you asking about dial-up Internet access or broadband?

Grumpy

Thanks for asking that question Gumpy, as it seems we were all assuming it's DSL here.

If it is dial-up, then ignore everthing I wrote above and use this lengthy explanation:

Yes, you can use a second modem on the downstairs computer, but both can't be on at the same time without a second phone line.

just get a long wire

my house is 3 stories and i have a wire running to the top floor lol, and another to the middle floor. So it can be done

broadband not dile up

Just get a wireless router and a wireless USB adapter for the downstairs computer.

Grumpy