Jeff In Big D - or anyone..... ? about router for cable internet!

[Pam]

Help!!!
Jeff or anyone.......... I have a question about cable internet. We got this about 3 weeks ago. The cable guy hooked up my Macintoch G3 to the cable modem.

We also have an IMac that needs hooked up to it (it's still on the dial-up service), and I would like to hook up the new Gateway computer that's on order. My DS wants to hook up his XBox Live as well.

My question (yes, I do have one!) is........... can I get a wireless router to use for all 4 systems? And will it work on 2 different types of computers, as well as the XBox?

If not, will a router with eternet cable wires work?

Thanks!
Pam

 

[jimmybop]

with my experence (since christmas) is yes for both.

For x-mas my family got a wirless linksys router for our cable modem.
but I am not sure about the x-box (never seen how it hooks up to the gameing network) with this, but you can plug a couple regular eathernet wires into the pack of the wireless router for a "normal" connection.
but, (just a friendly) remember each computer needs a wireless card inside of it/pluged into it for it to work (and if the x-box has a usb port, they do make a wirless usb addapter... i really dont know how it would work though)

soooo... i tried

 

[Pam]

Thank-you, jimmybop!

The guy at Radio Shack told me the 2 different types of computers would not interface with each other, being hooked up to the cable modem.

I will call the cable company tomorrow. The XBox does have an USB Port.

Pam

 

[Pam]

 

[helenabear]

Pam, I am not an expert at all with Macs or with XBoxs (since I own neither) but I think as long as you can get a good router that supports Macs then you should be fine. I did some quick research and according to macworld.com the Netgear Routers are very Mac friendly. I also know that they make good products in general. I can't help much beyond that, but I found this link that might help you Good luck!

http://www.netgear.com/education/index.html

 

[CTPacky]

The computers don't interface with each other. They interface individually with the router. As long as the router is compatible with all the Operating Systems involved, there should be no conflict.

 

[Pam]

Awwww..... thanks so much, guys!!

I thought that what you said is what the cable man had told me when he hooked us up - but the Radio Shack man was insistent that I couldn't put Macs, a PC and an XBox on the one modem......

Guess I'll be making a trip to Comp USA instead!
Pam

 

[Jeff in BigD]

In the future, I'd avoid trying to get technical answers from Radio Shack or Best Buy.

Hooking up the Mac should be a breeze, provided that you have a wireless card (or Airport card) installed. Going through the TCP/IP & DCHP setup should do it automatically. My father hust set his Powerbook up, so I'll ask him if there's any extra steps you'll need to take.

I haven't heard anything about the Xbox, but my friend is a GM at EB Games, so I'll ask him if he's heard anything.

As far as the regular ethernet router, they work fine with both a PC & a Mac (we had one for a while).

 

[Pam]

Thanks, Jeff!
I called the cable company this morning and they said I would probably have to go the ethernet cable route as the XBox does not have a card inside it.

Pam

 

[jimmybop]

careful what u tell the cable company... they like to charge for extra computers being on one modem (or atleast my cable company does)

 

[Pam]

Actually, I was upfront with them and they were the ones who told me to get a router and hook the other computers up myself!

Pam