Comuter Help please: Got DSL, now what?

BigVE · 02:45 PM

I recently signed up for DSL (the only higher speed available in my "village"), I got all the stuff to hook it up myself EXCEPT for the ethernet card. Okay here is where I need help decifering what the difference is, if any, in a N.I.Card and an ethernet adapter. IF I buy an external ethernet adapter will I be good to go? When I use the installation CD it says that I need to have a N.I.C. (network interface card)...will the external ethernet adapter solve this or are these two seperate problems/issues? Thanks alot, any help is appreciated.

I havent called the tech support yet because the idea of being on hold for 15+ minutes after talking to several recordings pisses me off.

01-14-2005, 02:28 PM

The only difference is an external ethernet adapter is slightly easier to install.

A NIC is an internal card for which you'll need to open your PC to complete the installation. I would go with a NIC. cheaper, faster, more dependable, and they don't eat one of your USB ports.

**Donger** · 01-14-2005, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigVE

I need to have a N.I.C.

I'm probably the only person in the world that giggles when I see the "word" NIC.

**Donger** · 01-14-2005, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ENDelt260

Uh... I guess so.

Wanna let me in on the joke?

Just reminds me of Monty Python.

phisherman · 01-14-2005, 02:36 PM

both of the cards that you referred to are "NIC"'s by definition. NIC just means network interface card. The difference between the two is basically where the card is located. the internal NIC goes inside your desktop computer, installed in a PCI slot. The external NIC is not installed internally in your computer, but rather it plugs in via your USB port on your computer. Both of these NIC's serve the exact same purpose, it just depends what's more useful for your situation.
pm me if you have any more questions.
bp

KC Jones · 01-14-2005, 02:36 PM

Welcome to high speed access. Might I suggest a firewall, virus and trojan protections, and spyware protection?

BigVE · 01-14-2005, 02:37 PM

Im just wanting to go with the easiest option right now, Im getting a new computer soon so I just need to get by until then. I dont have an ethernet/DSL connection right now so I need one and the only reason I was leaning towards the external one is that its just 'plug and play" so to speak. The prices are similar either way without having to take my tower apart and installing the N.I.C. Thanks for the info guys.

KC Jones · 01-14-2005, 02:38 PM

HOLD ON A SECOND!!!!

Somebody sold you a bill of goods. You don't need a NIC or DSL to commute. You just need a bus pass, a car, a bicycle, or a job you can walk to or from.

phisherman · 01-14-2005, 02:40 PM

well, in this case, if you don't want to crack open your case, the prudent choice would be to go w/ the external NIC. because it's not internally installed in your case, you also have the flexibility to take it out and use it on other machines if need be.

bp

BigVE · 01-14-2005, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC Jones

HOLD ON A SECOND!!!!

Somebody sold you a bill of goods. You don't need a NIC or DSL to commute. You just need a bus pass, a car, a bicycle, or a job you can walk to or from.

WTH, some of you "day-shifters" are a bit...special.

PastorMikH · 01-14-2005, 02:46 PM

Are you sure you don't already have a spot in the back of your PC for an ethernet cable? It looks like a phone jack only wider. Unless your computer is really old or home-built (in which case you wouldn't be asking this question) you may already have the ethernet conection.

If not, you can get an internal card from walmart for about $15. They are very simple to install and if you have windows xp, it should do all the driver set up for you.

BigVE · 01-14-2005, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ENDelt260

Heh... I didn't get it at first either... then when I clicked on the thread this time, I noticed there was a p missing from the thread title.

Yeah, I got it now. Now I feel "special". I was just reading through some of the threads earlier thinking "I cant believe some of the bad spelling that is on the front page"...duh.

BigVE · 01-14-2005, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PastorMikH

Are you sure you don't already have a spot in the back of your PC for an ethernet cable? It looks like a phone jack only wider. Unless your computer is really old or home-built (in which case you wouldn't be asking this question) you may already have the ethernet conection.

If not, you can get an internal card from walmart for about $15. They are very simple to install and if you have windows xp, it should do all the driver set up for you.

My computer is about 6 years old, its a Pentium III 600mhz. To be honest, I dont really know if there is a "spot in the back for an ethernet cable" or not. I ran the installation CD from Sprint DSL and it does a scan to see if my computer has the right components to support the DSL and it said that I needed a N.I.C. Your right, I checked at Walmart and they do have them, I just dont have any experience taking my computer apart and plugging in new components. No windows XP, I have M. E.

**Donger** · 01-14-2005, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigVE

I have M. E.

Be afraid. Be VERY afraid.

KC Jones · 01-14-2005, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donger

Be afraid. Be VERY afraid.

I think he better shoot it now just to be safe.

...

and burn it

...

maybe throw it over a cliff too

...

first sprinkle some holy water on it though

That might do it.

01-14-2005, 02:25 PM
BigVE Veteran Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: centralKs Casino cash: $10005250	ComPuter Help please: Got DSL, now what? I recently signed up for DSL (the only higher speed available in my "village"), I got all the stuff to hook it up myself EXCEPT for the ethernet card. Okay here is where I need help decifering what the difference is, if any, in a N.I.Card and an ethernet adapter. IF I buy an external ethernet adapter will I be good to go? When I use the installation CD it says that I need to have a N.I.C. (network interface card)...will the external ethernet adapter solve this or are these two seperate problems/issues? Thanks alot, any help is appreciated. I havent called the tech support yet because the idea of being on hold for 15+ minutes after talking to several recordings pisses me off. Last edited by BigVE; 01-14-2005 at 02:45 PM..
Posts: 4,829

01-14-2005, 02:28 PM	#2
Phobia Guest Casino cash: $	The only difference is an external ethernet adapter is slightly easier to install. A NIC is an internal card for which you'll need to open your PC to complete the installation. I would go with a NIC. cheaper, faster, more dependable, and they don't eat one of your USB ports.
Posts: n/a

01-14-2005, 02:36 PM	#5
phisherman King Sandbagger Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: The Summit, MO Casino cash: $1645484	both of the cards that you referred to are "NIC"'s by definition. NIC just means network interface card. The difference between the two is basically where the card is located. the internal NIC goes inside your desktop computer, installed in a PCI slot. The external NIC is not installed internally in your computer, but rather it plugs in via your USB port on your computer. Both of these NIC's serve the exact same purpose, it just depends what's more useful for your situation. pm me if you have any more questions. bp
Posts: 3,808

01-14-2005, 02:36 PM	#6
KC Jones Genious Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Colorado Casino cash: $10012761	Welcome to high speed access. Might I suggest a firewall, virus and trojan protections, and spyware protection? __________________ re-sign: to sign again resign: to withdraw from employment
Posts: 5,366

01-14-2005, 02:37 PM	#7
BigVE Veteran Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: centralKs Casino cash: $10005250	Im just wanting to go with the easiest option right now, Im getting a new computer soon so I just need to get by until then. I dont have an ethernet/DSL connection right now so I need one and the only reason I was leaning towards the external one is that its just 'plug and play" so to speak. The prices are similar either way without having to take my tower apart and installing the N.I.C. Thanks for the info guys. __________________ Meh.
Posts: 4,829

01-14-2005, 02:38 PM	#8
KC Jones Genious Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Colorado Casino cash: $10012761	HOLD ON A SECOND!!!! Somebody sold you a bill of goods. You don't need a NIC or DSL to commute. You just need a bus pass, a car, a bicycle, or a job you can walk to or from. __________________ re-sign: to sign again resign: to withdraw from employment
Posts: 5,366

01-14-2005, 02:40 PM	#9
phisherman King Sandbagger Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: The Summit, MO Casino cash: $1645484	well, in this case, if you don't want to crack open your case, the prudent choice would be to go w/ the external NIC. because it's not internally installed in your case, you also have the flexibility to take it out and use it on other machines if need be. bp
Posts: 3,808

01-14-2005, 02:46 PM	#11
PastorMikH Will KC ever be better? Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Land of Red Dirt & Necks Casino cash: $9955087	Are you sure you don't already have a spot in the back of your PC for an ethernet cable? It looks like a phone jack only wider. Unless your computer is really old or home-built (in which case you wouldn't be asking this question) you may already have the ethernet conection. If not, you can get an internal card from walmart for about $15. They are very simple to install and if you have windows xp, it should do all the driver set up for you. __________________
Posts: 20,453