Networking without broadband

[RKS]

They have an OLD Dell 333, yes 333, running WIN 98 (not SE) with important files.
They also have a nice parallel laser printer that they use often and a serial port Zip drive.. They use dial-up and may try broadband but they just don't get online much.

They are in the market for a new PC so even though I can easily build them a nice PC I told them the best thing for them would be another Dell. The XPS 400 that I found has no serial or parallel port but I think you can get them as an add-on.

Can these two PCs be networked together to share the printer as well as the files?

 

[cleverhandle]

Originally posted by: RKS
Can these two PCs be networked together to share the printer as well as the files?

If you just want file/print sharing and you don't need to share the dial-up connection, then sure - just pop in some network cards and connect them up with a crossover cable.

If you want to share the dial-up connection, then it's a little harder, only because I don't think any common routers out there support 56K dial-up. So then you'd be stuck using ICS, which kind of sucks. I would just say it's time for them to get broadband - even a relatively crappy broadband plan will be much faster than what they've got, and you should be able to find something for no more than $20/month.

They have an OLD Dell 333, yes 333, running WIN 98 (not SE)... The XPS 400 that I found

They're using what's probably a 7-year old Dell, and you're going to upgrade them to an XPS? 😕

 

[kevnich2]

Anybody still using dialup, I always recommend going to broadband simply because the cheapest broadband is faster, always on and in MOST cases, costs the same if not CHEAPER than dialup plans and you can be online 24/7 and not use the phone line. Around my parts, there is a lite version of cable service for $14.95/month and it's for 768/256mb service. As for the computer, ANY dell computer will work great compared to what they're used to.

 

[RKS]

Originally posted by: cleverhandle

Originally posted by: RKS
Can these two PCs be networked together to share the printer as well as the files?

If you just want file/print sharing and you don't need to share the dial-up connection, then sure - just pop in some network cards and connect them up with a crossover cable.

If you want to share the dial-up connection, then it's a little harder, only because I don't think any common routers out there support 56K dial-up. So then you'd be stuck using ICS, which kind of sucks. I would just say it's time for them to get broadband - even a relatively crappy broadband plan will be much faster than what they've got, and you should be able to find something for no more than $20/month.

They have an OLD Dell 333, yes 333, running WIN 98 (not SE)... The XPS 400 that I found

They're using what's probably a 7-year old Dell, and you're going to upgrade them to an XPS? 😕

They probably won't share the dial-up but thanks for the advise regarding the cross-over suggestion.
I'll check into cheap broadband here in the Cincy area but I don't think I have seen any then again I haven't researched it yet. If it is $20/month then they will go for it. They aren't keen on spending $50/month on something they don't use much.
As far as the upgrade, my FIL is a professor of engineering and wanting to retire but still do consulting. Any hardcore work he had he did it at school so he needs a half-way robust system available at home. The current system is more for occasional emails and some geneology stuff.
The XPS400 was better equipped and cheaper than the Dimension E510 so I chose that route.

 

[cleverhandle]

Originally posted by: RKS
I'll check into cheap broadband here in the Cincy area but I don't think I have seen any then again I haven't researched it yet. If it is $20/month then they will go for it.

I would be shocked if you couldn't find a $20/month plan in Cincinnati. Make sure you look at the full list of offerings at ISP's web pages - they'll probably put more expensive plans or bundles on the front page.

As far as the upgrade, my FIL is a professor of engineering and wanting to retire but still do consulting. Any hardcore work he had he did it at school so he needs a half-way robust system available at home.

Ah... that makes a lot more sense, then.

 

[jlfirehawk]

There aren't really any many choices here in Cincinnati, either you get RR or Zoomtown DSL. Both I believe are 40+ a month. I know zoomtown is running a deal for dsl at 20 buck a month for the first year but I do not know what the terms are.

 

[dahwang]

dont get an xps for them. it probably has too much for anything that they would ever use. the xps is built focusing on the needs of a gamer. unless your in-laws are gamers, something cheaper and less feature heavy would be a better bet. since it sounds like they rarely use it, look for the budget line of dell

 

[kevnich2]

If you can get RR, look into the Road Runner Lite package, around my area (Tampa) it's like $12 or $13 a month.

 

[RKS]

Originally posted by: jlcampbell
There aren't really any many choices here in Cincinnati, either you get RR or Zoomtown DSL. Both I believe are 40+ a month. I know zoomtown is running a deal for dsl at 20 buck a month for the first year but I do not know what the terms are.

I thought my mother-in-law was going to look into the ZT deal but I have RR and neither are cheap. I haven't seen any RR Lite ads anywhere.

As far as the XPS being overkill; please read the further explanation later in the thread. A base Dimensions system with dedicated graphics is MORE than a better configured XPS. Total with a 19" FP is under $1K (without tax), a Dimensions E510 with less features is about $200 more.


So if I connect the computers via a cross-over cable will they both have access to the printer or just the HDDs?

 

[Lemon law]

Although the bulk of the country is wired for dsl or cable, there are many areas of the country that are still not---and I am in such an area.

For people with just dial up and that just want to nework two PC's, microsoft ICS and no router is the way to go in my opinion. I have had such a set up for a number of years and its rock solid reliable, stable, and cheap to set up. Since any more modern computers they are likely to buy will have a NIC, all they need is a NIC for the dell 333, and a crossover cable. If the new computer has an internal or external 56 K modem, they are definitely in business. Unposted is the 56 Kmodem question on the dell 333.----but one other fly in the ointment---when you have a mixed OS network---with the newer pc likely to be running win xp--and the dell 333 known to be running win 98---its somewhat assumed you have a floppy drive on each computer to complete the ics network wizard.

But I ask another question---and I am not that far from Cincinatti---which puts anyone there with dsl or dial up in thunderstorm alley. I know in my case, I always unplug my phone line from the wall when I turn my computer off----because one year I lost three modem surge surpressors and a modem to not doing that. No problem with dial up but a possible curse with dsl.---someday I will get dsl--next year maybe phone Co. willing--While its my understanding that ics will still work with dsl, how badly will that screw up the dsl if I unplug it from the wall when the computer is off?

But its a total no brainer---if you can get dsl or cable ---don't go dial up. But in any event,
you can still go ICS if you so choose. For a two PC network, I see no reason to waste money on a router.