network

[pdkels]

I have just had ntl broadband installed on my desktop, how can my son get this on his laptop?

[j2buttonsw]

You need to buy a router

[vehelpfulguy]

I have Telewest and it is cable like NTL so I assume they are similar.

Currently you have a cable coming in the house and going into the back of the NTL modem. Then another cable coming out of the modem and going into your PC.

As someone else says, you need to buy a router. Then the wire that currently comes out of the modem and plugs into your PC now needs to plug into the Router not your PC.

The router will have a number of "out" sockets (4 or 8 probably) and you then plug one of them into your PC, and another into your sons laptop using an ethernet or Cat5 cable (same thing).

Some things to note. Make sure you buy a router suitable for CABLE connection not ADSL. The ADSL router often includes a Modem, you do not need one.

Also, if your sons laptop has wireless capability (or he wants one) then you need to buy a WIRELESS router. This can be used with cables (for your PC) and wireless for your sons laptop.

It may be worth asking on a forum for NTL users what routers other people have used so you know they work.

There will be some network setting up to do in Windows. It is not that difficult, but can be confusing if you have never done it before.

Search under Networking or Home Network in the Windows XP help, that is a pretty good starting point.

[vehelpfulguy]

There is some good help on the Microsoft web site, for example here

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/getstarted/default.mspx

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/default.mspx

There are other sites on the net which give home network advice

http://www.homenethelp.com/home-network.asp

http://www.practicallynetworked.com/

http://www.homepcnetwork.com/