Question about dsl service

[always quiet]

I have had dsl for about a year now. My sister has it on her computer as well. I noticed a HUGE difference in the two....how can she have hers so that when she turns the computer 'on', the internet connection is already there?? When I turn my computer on, I have to click the verizon icon on the desktop for it to connect. It's so much faster not needing to connect....any clue what setting she has hers on to be able to do this?? I tried calling verizon first, but didn't feel like sitting on hold for a half hour!!

 

[KimRaye]

Sorry Colleen, mine is set up just like yours, only I have SBC. I'd like to see the answer also.

 

[DISshopkeeper]

AQ, mine used to be like yours. It changed once I got a wireless router and added a 2nd computer. Now it's always on.

By the way, the 2nd computer is at least 6 years old. I wiped the hard drive and the kids use it for internet and a few games and it's GREAT. As fast as or faster than the main newer computer!

 

[always quiet]

The wireless router is the answer! The westell modem I have doesn't have the option to leave the computer connected all the time. Oh well!!

 

[Dopeygirl]

A wireless router isn't the key (at least not in all cases). We don't have one and we don't have to connect. Our last provider (Covad) told me that it depended on what version of Windows one was running. We have XP and with their set-up, XP didn't have a connection icon where as the other versions did. We have since moved and had to change providers (Covad doesn't have service here). With Qwest it is an automatic thing also. Looking through the set-up guide, I don't see where it specifies different ways to connect depending on what Windows you're running but DH set this one up, so it might have been in one of the set-up steps. Not sure.

 

[JoNo]

OK check this one out...

I have sprint/earthlink DSL and I have mine steady on. I use XP pro and I didn't have to install software, although it did come with software. here's how you can do it: check with your DSL company and see if your physical DSL modem has a "configuring" option. Mine does due to linux users not being able to use .exe programs. You have to type in an IP in your browser and it'll walk you through the set up of your modem. When you're done, IF YOU CAN CONFIGURE YOUR MODEM, you'll be able to leave the modem on while the computer is off or on, and when you start up your computer you'll have instant access! like I said, this isn't for the weak of computer types, but it saves a LOT of login hassle! If you can configure it, have the DSL techie walk you through it!

 

[always quiet]

I spent about a half hour with verizon tech support trying to get it to connect automatically upon start up (they said there is no way to do it with the modem I have). After trying many things and not being able to have to computer automatically start, they gave up saying something I have heard oodles of times "It's a problem with XP". I guess I should be glad I never had any other operating systems before...obviously, the systems before xp seemed to be easier to work with. This way, I can't miss what I never had!!

 

[crz4mm2]

Dorothy,
Can you tell me how to wipe a hard drive? I have an old computer that I would like to be able to do this to. Just have no clue how to do it. Can you clean the whole thing and then reinstall xp when it didn't have xp before?

Thanks for any info.

Cathy

 

[JoNo]

Originally posted by crz4mm2
Dorothy,
Can you tell me how to wipe a hard drive? I have an old computer that I would like to be able to do this to. Just have no clue how to do it. Can you clean the whole thing and then reinstall xp when it didn't have xp before?

Thanks for any info.

Cathy

I can tell you if you'd like, but beware, XP needs lots of memory (128 megs min.) & hard drive space (2 gigabytes min.)

 

[heathrow42]

I think the difference is in the type of DSL you have.

Some DSL services dynamically assign you an ip address (your address on the internet*) These services are the ones where you have to click on something on your desktop to turn on DSL. Everytime you sign on with your username and password, it authenticates you and gives you an ip address, which can change each time. Other things are probably configured at the same time.. a profile maybe set that contains information on what may/maynot be done. For example, they may block certain traffic so that you can't run your own website or server, or they may block file sharing traffic. This effectively keeps costs down for them, as you will not be sending or receiving alot of extra traffic.

Other DSL services statically assign you an address. It is yours and shouldn't ever change. There is no authenticating and the connection is "always on". This is generally done by more independent type DSL providers (not the phone company) or if you get Business class DSL. It is often used by gamers and people running web servers or other services, because they need their ip address to be permanent, and unfiltered.

This doesn't mean that if you have the first type you can't have an always on connection... as some have said they have been able to re-configure it. This is more of a possible explanation of why.

--Heather
(geek girl)


*Your address on the internet: No, not your email address silly! An ip address is what the www. websitehere .com gets translated into so that your computer knows how to find it. It is a number made up of 4 parts (called octets) separated by decimals -- looks like 1.2.3.4
Every computer on the internet has to have one.. you need one so www. websitehere .com knows where to send the webpage content to.