The best route to Nirvana?

Hi folks.

I've limited funds, intelligence and computer experience but need to know if
there's a simple way or compromise to achieve technological peace of mind.
Any understandable suggestions welcome.

I have cable TV and broadband internet. I've a Sony laptop running Windows
ME with partition C (5GB) almost full and partition D (5GB) almost empty,
USB1 ports, an i.LINK IEEE1394 port and built-in Ethernet capability 10
BASE-T/100 BASE-TX (I'm copying from the specs here!) as yet unused. There's
a desktop PC running Windows 98 SE with a smaller HDD than the laptop and no
USB, i.LINK or Ethernet port. And there's a busted video! When my son's home
there's another (up-to-date) PC wanting internet time. I don't download much
off the net, just small, free utilities mainly. Right, that's the
background.

With not much to spend I want to be careful to get what will work and,
hopefully, pull all these elements together. If I state what I have in mind
perhaps some of you expert chaps and chapesses out there can prevent me from
wasting my life savings!

I'm thinking of buying a USB2 and firewire card for the old desktop, a
wireless router (is it pronounced router or rooter?) which I hope will
'reach' two floors up signal-wise, a DVD player/recorder (do they work with
laptops? I want to back-up my data files as well as use it to replace the
broken VHS), and an external HDD which I hope I can use to somehow reclaim
the 5GB on D, and that I can just attach to whichever of the computers I'm
using to increase storage. I might get into digital photography at some
stage too so the extra space will be handy.

Does this sound a feasible set-up? Any snags or recommended products? Am I
right in thinking that a router will allow more than one computer to share
the broadband internet connection as only the router's IP address need be
registered? Any other thoughts?

All comprehensible input appreciated.

Thanks.

LezH.

Lez Hammans

"Lez Hammans" <> wrote in
newsdDJb.5156$:

> Does this sound a feasible set-up? Any snags or recommended products?
> Am I right in thinking that a router will allow more than one computer
> to share the broadband internet connection as only the router's IP
> address need be registered? Any other thoughts?

This is correct. And it is pronounced Router (not rooter). I intend to
address your other concerns, but I'm rushed for time. I've tagged this
message in my newsreader to handle when I get back from the job.

--
AIM: FrznFoodClerk
email: de_on-lag@co_cast.net (_ = m)
website: under construction
Need a technician in the south Jersey area?
email/IM for rates/services