Changing ISP's

[alzheimer]

I am about to change my ISP and have requested my MAC KEY and know where I am going...BUT....dread the upheaval! Is it really all that difficult for an OAP "newby"?
Changing routers etc fills me with dread as it was all done for me originally and now I will have to do it myself.
Any help would be appreciated.

[markysngc]

Nope not that hard at all, your new ISP will provide the details you need (username and password) and instructions on howt o set it all up, or a setup disk. if your using a laptop and wireless that is the hardest part to setup.

BTW there is no reason why you *need* to change router, you could probably just put the new username and password into your existing router and carry on using that, if you use wireless that may be easier as the wireless will already be sutup.

[vehelpfulguy]

Note that if you change ISP you will lose your current e-mail address.

You will also lose all your current e-mails.

Anybody who sends you e-mails, or any company or web site you are registered with, will not have you new e-mail address.

Write down a list of all the people who send you e-mails (be they individuals or companies) and when you get your new e-mail send them a note or update your profile on their web site.

Also if you have an information in your existing e-mails like passwords, web site details etc make sure you write it down, or maybe print off important e-mails, so that you can use it when you set up your new e-mail system.

You may be able to get it set up so any mail sent to your OLD e-mail adress will be forwarded to your NEW e-mail address.

[ACtheTROLL]

just a follow on from VHG

get yourself an independent e-mail address ....
I have a "posh" g-mail account and whatever ISP I end up with ... or wherever I am in the world ... I'll always be able to access my mail ...

[alzheimer]

Many thanks to all of you out there! I have already alerted most of my emailers and indeed my address book is already saved ! I like the sound of that posh g-mail account though - that could prove very handy indeed. I do have a g-mail account - whether it is posh enough to let me access it where ever I am I wouldn't know!! How does one know that?
As for the router...I am advised that as it is almost 5 years since my wireless set-up was put in.... it will be due to be replaced anyway soon and the new one will be set-up ready..whatever that means!! I do have a laptop - so hopefully a set-up disk will arrive too. Fingers crossed...and thanks again.

[TonyBeeeee]

"Set up ready" probably means that your username and password will have have been programmed into the new router for you.
When you plug the router into your pc it should be seen as a network connection, and when you go to connect to the 'net it should do it without any set up.
(I am not an expert on this, thats what I have seen on one router I have used, any corrections or additions will be gratefully received).

[alzheimer]

Many thanks for the info about the router. I have to admit that I have chickened out from coping on my own and have "phoned a friend" ! My PC Guru is going to come at the end of the week and do the needful.....as he has done this "Migration" before - a couple of times I do believe - hopefully he will know what to do and what goes where!
I will just provide the coffee ..and do the heavy-looking-on!!
I am now trying to work out how to have any stray emails that slip through the net (if you will pardon the pun!) forwarded to my new email address...eek!