[bwdbrn1]

Here's a question for those who no doubt know a lot more about computers than I do, which would be about 99.9% of the computer using population. Oh, and I'm asking this on behalf of my mother and father-in-law, really.

They've got an older HP pc tower, probably about 4 years old and running what ever Windows operating system from that period. They have high speed internet through Mediacom, and the tower is hooked into their modem. She wants to get a MacBook pro, or ipad so she doesn't have to just sit glued to the desk where the computer is, but he still wants to use the HP, and she doesn't want him fiddling with the new Apple product. Part of the reason for wanting something new because he fiddles then she can't find what she's looking for.

So, here's the question. Is there a way they can set things up easily to still keep the Windows based HP tower, and also have wifi available for a new Mac? Is there such a thing as a spitter that would go in between the modem and connect to the pc and a wireless router to allow both to function?

Thanks guys.

 

[rhenning]

Get a wireless router and then you won't have to have a cable for the MAC. The router is what makes it wireless. Roger

 

[bwdbrn1]

Yes, I know that, that's how my Mac is set up, but that would take their pc out of the picture as it's not set up for, and they want to be able to use both, for lack of a better terms, a hard wired pc and a wireless Mac.

What I want to know is, can you run one ethernet cable from the modem to a splitter, and then two cables from that, one to the pc, and the other to a wireless router. Would something like that, if it's available, allow two different computers to operate off of one modem? Or, could the pc be outfitted with a router too and function as part of a network off of the Mac's airport router?

 

[Michael]

The simplest way is to go to your internet provider with the account number and have them install a new modem with wifi, it is likely that the modem they already have is already a wifi modem. That eliminates all the hassles that you are looking at. Most internet providers will provide the new modem for cheap and your aunt is probably already leasing the modem that they have.

 

[rhenning]

The new Macs are not as fussy as they once were. My new MAC Mini for example uses a standard PC moniotr and mouse on it. Leave the older PC as is and run a second cable to the wireless router and you should be all set. I ran my old MAC like that while my wife used the wireless router with her MAC Book and I Pad. With the new MAC Mini I have also gone wireless. Roger

 

[bwdbrn1]

Thanks guys, I know there has to be a simple solution. I'll give Mediacom a call and check on the wifi modem. Actually, the biggest problem they have is making their mind up about what to do.

 

[Mark / Ohio]

Probably the easiest way to go for them is to have the cable guy come in and set it up.

Although we did try that at work (small business) since we had a wifi cable modem but the wifi was turned off and password protected. They told us just to buy a wifi router and plug into their cable modem and set it up ourselves.

Guess they figured if I was smart enough to get into their box and find it was wifi capable and password protected I ought to be smart enough to figure out how to setup a secondary box on it. Couple weeks ago I replaced the failing unit my boss brought from home for the purpose with a NetGear WNDR4000. Nice unit and was really plug and play right out of the box. But unless you don't mind the neighbors sharing your connection and checking out the files on your connected computers it does take some time to setup the security options.

 

[Brad]

This is exactly what we are using at our house. I got a laptop a few years ago with wifi but our old computer is a wired connection. Daughter got us a wireless router. Here is the scenario:

Cable comes into the house and goes to the Cable Company modem. That is then wired to our Router, into which the tower is cable connected. Our laptops (2) and Kindle Fire connect to the router via wifi.

Here is a good link on MTF with examples:

Networking Basics - MyTractorForum.com - The Friendliest Tractor Forum and Best Place for Tractor Information

 

[bwdbrn1]

Thanks Brad, there's lots of good stuff on that link. Now I've got some good solid information to share with the in-laws. Thanks guys.

 

[vjosh]

I have to agree, you should start with a wireless setup first just so the internet connection could be shared to a number of users.

I would not suggest getting an iPad because that is just not something you could benefit from, if you are looking to o computer processes with it.

The iPad should be a great entertainment device but not something you would consider for real computer work.