New Broadband Connection

[gumboot]

I'm having a senior moment right now and can't for the life of me remember details of my broadband connection. Because of this, I'm not certain what do about a problem I'll have in the near future.

Basically, the computer I've got at the moment is getting on a bit and I'm going to change it in a couple of weeks for a new, all singing, all dancing model. Right now, I'm using XP Pro but the new PC looks like it'll have Vista Home Premium.

The present PC is connected to the internet via an ethernet cable that goes into a Belkin Wireless Modem/Router. My ISP is Tiscali.

Now I don't remember installing any software onto the PC to get the Tiscali connection. If I remember rightly, once they took over the BT line, I just plugged in the ethernet and I was surfing the web in no time.

Is this likely to be correct? Is it going to be a simple matter of plugging the ethernet cable into the new computer to get me online or is something else involved?

What about settings for Outlook/Outlook Express? Wouldn't I have to put these in on the PC somewhere? I'm currently using Mailwasher to pull in my Tiscali emails before they're opened in OE.

Finally, what are these LAN cards I read about? Is this the same as the Belkin card I installed in my present PC to give me the ethernet socket I needed? I take it I only need a wireless network card on the new PC if I intend to go wireless in the future? Do I really need a firewire socket too? What exactly does a bluetooth adapter card do in the PC?

Thanks very much and aplogies for so many questions!

[Ethel]

I am not with Tiscali but had a look at their website. You will need to download drivers to make your modem compatible with Vista - read and download here:
http://uk-tiscali.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/uk_tisc ali.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=517

You should be able to plug your pc straight in to the ethernet after you have done that.

I don't use Outlook, so I'll pass on that.

Your new pc will have an ethernet socket already so no need to worry about that.

LAN is Local Area Network - when two or more computers connect to the same internet connection, usually by router. Unless you want to be wireless, don't worry about it.

My firewire socket is a teeny tiny thing that my camera connects to. I never use it - it is quicker to put the memory card from the camera into the memory card reader.

Bluetooth allows you to use wireless bluetooth headphones with your pc; or connect your mobile phone to the pc without wires to transfer data - other other pcs such as laptops or hand held; or blue tooth mouse and so on.

[ChuckFickens]

wow lots of questions.. ok I've gota a cuppa. deep, breath:

1) yes when you get new computer just plug it into the router using ethernet and you will have the internet.

2) outlook/outlook express, firstly, which is it, they are very different when it comes to moving mail to a new computer. both of them you can get all the account settings from the curent version other than your password, for a lot of people this will be something they can remember, if it is not then you will need to call tiscali at some point and get them to reset your password. Actually moving all your current mail over is a little tricky but not too bad, but outlook and outlook express differ hugely in how to do this so.

3 LA card, yes that is the card you needed to put in your old computer to get the ethernet socket, new computers will already have it built in.

4) if it is a desktop PC and not a laptop then you do NOT need a wireless card, well not unless you plan on picking you computer up and trying to walk round the house using it. Desktop computers don't get moved and therefore don't need wireless.

5) firewire is a socket for plugging devices such a digita videol cameras in, if you don't have a need for it in your current computer then unlikely you will need it in your new one as if you buy a digital video camera you could just get a USB one. if your new computer has it though it's not a bad thing.

6) bluetooth is generaly used for connecting to phones and some other devices such as keyboards and mice with out wires, again nice if you have it just in case, but as you don't know what it is to obviously aren't using it now so are unlikely to suddenly need it on your new computer. but again if it's there all the better

[gumboot]

Thank you both very much for your very comprehensive answers.

It seems I omitted some information that may have a bearing on all this. I should have said I'm also running an XP Home desktop in another room from the wireless modem/router using the same wireless connection.

I've read the Tiscali page you kindly researched Ethel, but I'm confused about downloading the drivers. Obviously, I no longer use the Sagem modem/router as supplied by the ISP as I've gone over to Belkin. So I take it I may need Belkin Drivers to get online? It may be stupid of me but how do I download the drivers if I've not got an internet connection? Could I also just check that installing Vista drivers on the new PC will not affect wireless reception of the Internet on the other one running XP home? Because the two computers connect to the same internet connection, might this be a good reason to make sure the new PC has a LAN card and how would it be set up?

I know a little about Bluetooth as the children have it on their mobiles. Is it true that a Bluetooth card would enable me to send music files off my PC to their mobiles wirelessly for example?

Thanks again.

[rojash]

As ChuckFickens says, you don't need to worry about modem drivers (Ethel's post) because you are connecting via a LAN. Your existing modem/router handles the connection independently of the computer, so all you need is to connect your new computer by plugging it into the router using the ethernet port and the cable which you previously used on your old computer.

[ChuckFickens]

for your Bluetooth question, yes if you had a bluetooth card in your computer you would be able to send music files from your pc to their phones without the need for wires.

[gumboot]

Thanks rojash and ChuckFickens. I was hoping it could be done with the minimum hassle.