Inernet Help

Okay, I have just bought a new laptop but already have a normal desktop PC, the rest of my family are having the normal PC me the laptop.

Problem is we both want to use the Internet. The desktop PC is on Freeserve Anytime on a normal phoneline. What I am wondering is:

When the laptop arrives will I be able to set it up on Freeserve Anytime (on the same phoneline) so that it uses the same account at the same time as the other PC (2 computers, one phoneline, both using the same account).

Obviously I don't mean at the same time, I know only one PC will be able to get online at any one time, but will I be able to change between the 2 with no additional cost?

Cheers for your help
tempo88

I *think* I see what you mean - as long as you have the correct user/password and the right dialup numbers, then it should be okay.

yeh, that'll be fine tempo

There are two ways of sharing the net between the two computers,

The first, is a hardware solution, buy a router.

You then connect the router to the phone line and the computers plug into the router, the router will allow both the computers to access the net at the same time.

The second is a software solution, network the PC's and set up a proxy server on one of the computers (the one sat on the phone line) and then tell both of them to connect to the proxy server rather that directly to the net.

Doing this will mean that the PC with the proxy on it will act as a server for the other computer, but if your server PC is turned off then you wont be able to use the net of the second computer. You can use the net of the two computers at the same time

Cheers for that but you didn't understand my awful wording on the question.

Lemme pass it by you all again:

I am getting a laptop I am keeping my old PC. I want both to be able to use the same Freeserve Anytime account, not at the same time, but for both to be able to be set up on the same Anytime account at no additional cost.

Summary:

2 PCs, one phoneline (but never online at the same time), 1 Freeserve Anytime account, both using it at no additional cost.

Can it be done??

Yes it can - routers and whatnot are more suited for high speed connections. As long as you have the SAME:

- ISP application
- Number to dial
- User/Pass

then it will be alright. You're paying for the connection and not per PC.

yup, well said JB

I was going to say the same thing. Not everyone is like Microsoft and they do allow you to share one line between as many PCs as you like as long as continue to pay the phone bill.

Cheers for all the help

JB
JC
Rob (sort of )
and Gastrian

You have put a confused and worried man's mind at rest