We Have Three Computers But Only One Connected To Internet. How Can A Second Internet Be Added?

[Otaktay]

I'd like to use the internet as the same time as my spouse but we only have one connected. What is the solution? Is it expensive?

[Cutler]

Using a Router will permit you to use your actual internet connection with a number of computers at the same time.  You buy the router, connect it to your present internet connection and then connect each computer to the router.  The latter can be done either by hardwiring or wireless, depending on the router and your computers.  If your computers are ready for a wireless connection or already have a networking connection it will not be too expensive.  If they arent, than your wouldl have to buy the adapters for each and it could get a little more expensive.   I would suggest you look around  and ask at your local electronics store. 

[Chizkiya]

The router will sort out the signals from one internet connection and route those signals to 4 or 8 or more computers. Routers come in several flavors, depending on what you want to do. Most have a RJ45 input port labeled WAN for wide area network, though some have a regular phone jack(RJ11) for fall-back to dial-up(slow) access. Most have at least 4 RJ45 jacks for attaching to computers labeled LAN for local area network. If you want to go wireless, get a router with wifi, 802.11b,g, or n. If you have a printer you want to use from all the computers, some routers will let you do that, just make sure the router and printer both talk the same language(parallel or USB).   You also need a network interface in each computer. Most new computers come with an ethernet interface built-in. You can recognize it by the RJ45 jack which is just like a phone jack except it's bigger and has connectors for 8 wires, instead of 4. If your computers are not all in the same place or not easily connected to the router by wires, you might want to consider wifi cards, especially for laptops. Get the same suffix(b,g,n) as your router. I wouldn't recommend 802.11b for a new installation, although the prices are way low, with performance to match.   Hookup is easy. Connect the cable or DSL modem to the router and the router to any wire-connected computers. Use Cat-5 cables with the RJ45 connectors pre-installed unless you are really skillful and cheap. Use the Add Hardware wizard if necessary and configure each computer to access the internet through a LAN. Talk to the router from a computer pointing the web browser at the IP address specified in the router manual -- usually http://192.168.x.y. Configure the router to log your LAN into your ISP's network. This takes the place of the login sequence you have been using on your one internet computer. That computer needs to be reconfigured to access the internet through the LAN just like all the others. Your wireless computers will probably work automagically. If not, try reading the manual.   If you don't have cable or DSL, forget about sharing a dialup connection, it's just too slow.

[Edwin]

For around $100 or less you should be able to get all three connected. If your computers are all colocated you can simply purchase a "4 port hub".  You would run the internet into the hub and then connect each computer to the hub via a network cable.  A small hub like this is only around $20.   If your computers are distributed throughout your house...not easy to run a cable from computers to the main internet source, your best bet is to get a wireless router and wireless network cards for the remote computers.  The wireless router will also have a built in hub/extra ports...so if two computers are close they can plug directly in and the third would need a wireless network card.  You should be able to work this entire solution for under $100.   I would shop the sunday sales adds as places like circuit city and best buy often have these items at cheap prices.    ChicagoTRS's Recommendations 3Com 3C16704A OfficeConnect Ethernet Hub 4-Port Amazon List Price: $49.99 Used from: $18.49 Average Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5(based on 2 reviews) Linksys WRT54G Wireless-G Router Amazon List Price: $69.99 Used from: $37.00 Average Customer Rating: 3.5 out of 5(based on 1515 reviews) Linksys WMP54GS Wireless-G PCI Card with SpeedBooster Amazon List Price: $69.99 Used from: $42.50 Average Customer Rating: 3.0 out of 5(based on 75 reviews) ChicagoTRS 81 months ago Please sign in to give a compliment. Please verify your account to give a compliment. Please sign in to send a message. Please verify your account to send a message.

[Hurlbart]

You need a router(not a Craftsman, but D-Link, Netgear, Cisco, etc.) The router will sort out the signals from one internet connection and route those signals to 4 or 8 or more computers. Routers come in several flavors, depending on what you want to do. Most have a RJ45 input port labeled WAN for wide area network, though some have a regular phone jack(RJ11) for fall-back to dial-up(slow) access. Most have at least 4 RJ45 jacks for attaching to computers labeled LAN for local area network. If you want to go wireless, get a router with wifi, 802.11b,g, or n. If you have a printer you want to use from all the computers, some routers will let you do that, just make sure the router and printer both talk the same language(parallel or USB).   You also need a network interface in each computer. Most new computers come with an ethernet interface built-in. You can recognize it by the RJ45 jack which is just like a phone jack except it's bigger and has connectors for 8 wires, instead of 4. If your computers are not all in the same place or not easily connected to the router by wires, you might want to consider wifi cards, especially for laptops. Get the same suffix(b,g,n) as your router. I wouldn't recommend 802.11b for a new installation, although the prices are way low, with performance to match.   Hookup is easy. Connect the cable or DSL modem to the router and the router to any wire-connected computers. Use Cat-5 cables with the RJ45 connectors pre-installed unless you are really skillful and cheap. Use the Add Hardware wizard if necessary and configure each computer to access the internet through a LAN. Talk to the router from a computer pointing the web browser at the IP address specified in the router manual -- usually http://192.168.x.y. Configure the router to log your LAN into your ISP's network. This takes the place of the login sequence you have been using on your one internet computer. That computer needs to be reconfigured to access the internet through the LAN just like all the others. Your wireless computers will probably work automagically. If not, try reading the manual.   If you don't have cable or DSL, forget about sharing a dialup connection, it's just too slow. Sources: 30 years of PC experience billp 81 months ago Please sign in to give a compliment. Please verify your account to give a compliment. Please sign in to send a message. Please verify your account to send a message.

[Gabrielo]

If your computers are all colocated you can simply purchase a "4 port hub".  You would run the internet into the hub and then connect each computer to the hub via a network cable.  A small hub like this is only around $20.   If your computers are distributed throughout your house...not easy to run a cable from computers to the main internet source, your best bet is to get a wireless router and wireless network cards for the remote computers.  The wireless router will also have a built in hub/extra ports...so if two computers are close they can plug directly in and the third would need a wireless network card.  You should be able to work this entire solution for under $100.   I would shop the sunday sales adds as places like circuit city and best buy often have these items at cheap prices. 

[Wambleesha]

Router - Wired or Wireless. Normally under $40. This assumes you have broadband internet(like that provided through DSL, Cable Modem, or Satellite):   Purchase a router(can be wired or wireless) from any larger electronics store or office supply place(Best Buy, Circuit City, Staples, Office Depot, etc.)  Most of the more popular routers will have the ability to support four or more wired ports in addition to the wireless feature, which really doesn?t add to the cost these days.  The more common brands of wired/wireless routers are LinkSys, DLink, Netgear, and Belkin.  There are certainly many others that work fine and almost all can be had for $30 to $50.   Once you have the router(which will have VERY easy setup instructions), you?ll simply place the router between your existing internet connection and your currently connected computer.  So your internet connection plugs into the router, then the router plugs into the network connection on your computer.  From there it?s only a matter of using the same type of network cables to connect from your other computers to the router.    If you go with the wireless option, you can eliminate the cable to each of the other computers and instead go with either their existing wireless network interface card(if so equipped) or purchase a wireless card or USB device, both of which can be found for about $25.   It really works almost that easily.  Hope that helps!       knowware's Recommendations Linksys WRT54G Wireless-G Router Amazon List Price: $69.99 Used from: $37.00 Average Customer Rating: 3.5 out of 5(based on 1515 reviews) Linksys wireless router -- also supports 4 wired ports. Often found on sale everywhere.   knowware's Recommendations NETGEAR WGT624 Super-G Wireless Router Amazon List Price: $79.99 Used from: $34.00 Average Customer Rating: 3.0 out of 5(based on 282 reviews) Netgear's version of a wireless router, also supports four wired post.   knowware's Recommendations Patch Cable - RJ-45(m) - RJ-45(m) - 14 Ft - UTP(Cat 5E) Amazon List Price: $9.99 Average Customer Rating: 5.0 out of 5(based on 1 reviews) This is the only other item you'll need if you're going for the "wired" option. One for each of the other two computers. knowware 81 months ago Please sign in to give a compliment. Please verify your account to give a compliment. Please sign in to send a message. Please verify your account to send a message.

[Abell]

Very Easy with Either a Standalone Router, or Easier Yet if You Already Have a Combo Modem/Router If you have a service(Verizon typically does this) that provided you with a combination modem router, then you're ready to go as is:  You'll likely have 4 wired ports on the back(3 remaining if you're already using one). The additional computers can be plugged into the wired ports, and you're set to go.  If you need to connect them wirelessly(assuming the same configuration), you'll be using the computer's wireless network tray icon(assuming a Windows machine) to "search for available wireless connections". You'll then choose the SSID(network name) that is associated with your router, and connect. (more below). If you have an arranglement similar to what Comcast offers, you likely have only a cable modem.  In that case, you'll need to purchase a router.  I've always had good luck with Linksys products.  Look for combo 4 port wired/wireless b/g router. Wireless "n" is now available, and will provide even better performance if your computers can use it.  Virtually all can use b or g though(with g being faster). Refer to the documentation/install CD that comes with the router for configuration, but as above, if wired, it's pretty much plug and play.  If wireless there are a number of considerations.  It's easiest if you do not secure your network, but this is asking for trouble. Without more information(who your provider is, what service you currently have, what modem you currently have), it's impossible to give you step by step instructions for setting up wireless security, but it's easier than it sounds. Again, the instructions provided with the router will step you through it. So, to re-cap:  Easy peasy if you want to connect via the hard wired connection ports(with CAT5 or CAT6 ethernet cable).  A bit more complex, but still not rocket science, if you want to connect wirelessly. Bottom line - you need router functionality, whether it's "all-in-one" in your existing modem/router, or a standalone router. geekboy2000 81 months ago Please sign in to give a compliment. Please verify your account to give a compliment. Please sign in to send a message. Please verify your account to send a message.

[tylor]

If you have a service(Verizon typically does this) that provided you with a combination modem router, then you're ready to go as is:  You'll likely have 4 wired ports on the back(3 remaining if you're already using one). The additional computers can be plugged into the wired ports, and you're set to go.  If you need to connect them wirelessly(assuming the same configuration), you'll be using the computer's wireless network tray icon(assuming a Windows machine) to "search for available wireless connections". You'll then choose the SSID(network name) that is associated with your router, and connect. (more below). If you have an arranglement similar to what Comcast offers, you likely have only a cable modem.  In that case, you'll need to purchase a router.  I've always had good luck with Linksys products.  Look for combo 4 port wired/wireless b/g router. Wireless "n" is now available, and will provide even better performance if your computers can use it.  Virtually all can use b or g though(with g being faster). Refer to the documentation/install CD that comes with the router for configuration, but as above, if wired, it's pretty much plug and play.  If wireless there are a number of considerations.  It's easiest if you do not secure your network, but this is asking for trouble. Without more information(who your provider is, what service you currently have, what modem you currently have), it's impossible to give you step by step instructions for setting up wireless security, but it's easier than it sounds. Again, the instructions provided with the router will step you through it. So, to re-cap:  Easy peasy if you want to connect via the hard wired connection ports(with CAT5 or CAT6 ethernet cable).  A bit more complex, but still not rocket science, if you want to connect wirelessly. Bottom line - you need router functionality, whether it's "all-in-one" in your existing modem/router, or a standalone router.

[Ulfr]

You dont need a second internet. What you need is a router Using a Router will permit you to use your actual internet connection with a number of computers at the same time.  You buy the router, connect it to your present internet connection and then connect each computer to the router.  The latter can be done either by hardwiring or wireless, depending on the router and your computers.  If your computers are ready for a wireless connection or already have a networking connection it will not be too expensive.  If they arent, than your wouldl have to buy the adapters for each and it could get a little more expensive.   I would suggest you look around  and ask at your local electronics store.    kiko's Recommendations Linksys WRT54G Wireless-G Router Amazon List Price: $69.99 Used from: $37.00 Average Customer Rating: 3.5 out of 5(based on 1515 reviews) Linksys WRT54GS Wireless-G Broadband Router with SpeedBooster Amazon List Price: $79.99 Used from: $54.99 Average Customer Rating: 4.0 out of 5(based on 461 reviews) D-Link Ethernet Broadband Router EBR-2310 Amazon List Price: $49.99 Used from: $24.99 Average Customer Rating: 4.0 out of 5(based on 34 reviews) kiko 81 months ago Please sign in to give a compliment. Please verify your account to give a compliment. Please sign in to send a message. Please verify your account to send a message.