[olly]

I'm near computer illiterate and don't know the difference between a router and a modem - if put it in language I understand, I'd say I don't know my a**se from my elbow.

My Windows XP computer just died and I've replaced it with Dell Windows 7 pc. Problem is, I can't connect to the internet. My ISP (Talk,Talk) says I need a router compatible with an ADSL modem. When I told them I already had a router that had never been used (Tiscali, later absorbed into Talk,Talk, had insisted I needed this some years ago when I had a similar problem; in fact I didn't, so I'm immediately mistrusting of Talk,Talk's technical advice), I asked if it would suffice.

Yes, the helpline person said, a Belkin Wireless G+ MIMO router, model FSD9230-4, version 30001uk would do the job.

I couldn't find the software disk so rang Belkin for help. They told me my router was not ADSL compatible.

Using my partner's laptop, I have found a TP-link TPTD-W8951ND ADSL 2/2 modem at Argos for £30 ("Easy one-touch wireless security encryption with the Quick Security Setup button. ADSL 2/2+ Modem, Wireless N Access Point and 4-Port Router, in a single device."* Full spec below). Will this do the job? Routers seem to be quite expensive, so don't want to make mistake but don't want something so cheap it doesn't work well (have already forked out £450 for pc and probably need another £150 for Windows Office, not to mention a new printer! Wallet's feeling a bit sensitive.)

Urgently need to get connected so any advice will be gratefully received. If it's relevant, I use the internet a lot but don't play games online.






*Full spec

TP-Link TPTD-W8951ND 150Mbps Wireless N ADSL2+ Modem Router.

Easy one-touch wireless security encryption with the Quick Security Setup button.
ADSL 2/2+ Modem, Wireless N Access Point and 4-Port Router, in a single device.
Wireless N speed up to 150Mbps, great for online gaming, Internet call and video streaming.
LAN Ports/PVCs bundle and QoS engine for pleasant triple-play (data, voice and video) experience.
TD-W8951ND 150Mbps Wireless N ADSL2+ Modem Router is an All-in-One device, which is designed to provide end-users with a one-stop solution to acquiring and sharing high speed Internet access over a wired/wireless network.
Wireless standards b/g/n.
Compatible with Microsoft® Windows® 98SE, NT, 2000, XP, Vista™ or Windows 7, MAC® OS, NetWare®, UNIX® or Linux.
1 external antenna.
0 internal antenna.
4 10/100Mbps RJ45 Ports1 RJ11 Port.
Transfer speed up to up to 150MbpsMbps.
Suitable for online gaming, Internet calls and video streaming .
Includes TD-W8951NDExternal SplitterRJ-11 Telephone CableRJ-45 Ethernet CableQuick Installation GuideResource CDPower Adapter.
Weight 0.94kg.
Size L26, W18, D7cm.
Manufacturer's 3 year guarantee.
EAN/MPN/UPC/ISBN: 6935364060411.




Thanking you in advance

[LincolnSpector]

Hi, olly, and welcome to the forums.

If I understand your story correctly, your computer, which had no trouble accessing the Internet, died. You replaced it with a new computer, which can't access the Internet. Your ISP's tech support said the problem is with your router. That in itself sounds odd. It was your computer that changed, not your modem or router.

However, you should definitely be using a router. It allows you to share the Internet connection between multiple computers and other devices, adds WiFi, and gives you a local network. It also adds security. See WhyYou Need a Router for more information.

And you need a modem, too. Here are the basics:

The signal comes into your home via telephone wires (since you have DSL) and goes into the Modem, which converts them into a standard Ethernet signal that any Internet-capable device can read. You can therefore plug the modem directly into your PC via an ethernet cable, without using a router. But for the reasons described above, that's not a good idea.

The better configuration to to connect the modem to the router via ethernet, then connect the router to your PC via Ethernet or WiFi.

About the router not supporting ADSL: A router isn't supposed to support ADSL. That's the modem's job. The modem converts the ADSL signal to something (and I don't remember the acronym off-hand) that a PC or a modem will understand.

Lincoln

Lincoln