Ethernet PCI card or USB LAN adapter???

Californakate · 09-11-2005, 07:28 PM

hi wondering if someone could help me.....
i'm off to uni soon and to connect to the uni network i need to install a ethernet card (the rj45 adapter thingy)
so i've been looking and i dont know if the best thing is to install a PCI card directly into the motherboard (which is something i've never attempted) or i've seen u can buy USB adapters??
what are the pros and cons?? is the USB adapter going to be slower??
i have idea!! please help the dumb blonde!!

also this might seem like an obvious question but where does the modem fit into all this?? will i connect the rj45 patch cable in to the modem now?? (cos it wont fit) so will i need a different one???
so many unanswered questions!!

hope someone can help
thanks
KC

Qlutch · 09-11-2005, 07:43 PM

I'd suggest getting a PCI ethernet card... I believe they are going to be much cheaper than buying a USB one. As far as a modem goes, you won't use it anymore once you get your internet through the network. You'll just connect the RJ-45 jack into your network card and that'll be it.

Californakate · 09-11-2005, 08:09 PM

ok that makes sense. will i still have to use my ISP (aol) ?? like is there any dial up involved? or could i just click on internet explorer and thats it??
i've just been looking on ebay and the usb adapters are a bit cheaper, but i think i'll get the PCI card.
when it does arrive can i put it in any of the motherboard holes?? (u know the long thin places the gold bits on the card fit in to) sorry for the 'highly technical language!'

much thanks for your help Qlutch

KC

Qlutch · 09-11-2005, 08:14 PM

No, you won't use dial-up anymore. When you connect to the network, there may be some configuring you'll have to do, but once you do that, you'll be able to get internet access through the network. When you get your card, put it in one of the PCI slots... they're usually tan colored. It will be easy to tell which slots your card will fit into, because PCI slots will be the only ones the card will fit. Just push it in, make sure it's nice and firmly in, and then fasten it in with a screw to the case. If you want a picture of what I mean, just ask.

Californakate · 09-11-2005, 08:17 PM

cool thanks for your help

i'm sure i'll be back once it arrives!!

09-11-2005, 07:28 PM	#1 (permalink)
Californakate New Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 3	Ethernet PCI card or USB LAN adapter??? hi wondering if someone could help me..... i'm off to uni soon and to connect to the uni network i need to install a ethernet card (the rj45 adapter thingy) so i've been looking and i dont know if the best thing is to install a PCI card directly into the motherboard (which is something i've never attempted) or i've seen u can buy USB adapters?? what are the pros and cons?? is the USB adapter going to be slower?? i have idea!! please help the dumb blonde!! also this might seem like an obvious question but where does the modem fit into all this?? will i connect the rj45 patch cable in to the modem now?? (cos it wont fit) so will i need a different one??? so many unanswered questions!! hope someone can help thanks KC

09-11-2005, 07:43 PM	#2 (permalink)
Qlutch Silver Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Nebraska Age: 20 Posts: 213	I'd suggest getting a PCI ethernet card... I believe they are going to be much cheaper than buying a USB one. As far as a modem goes, you won't use it anymore once you get your internet through the network. You'll just connect the RJ-45 jack into your network card and that'll be it. __________________ AMD 64 3500+ Chaintech NF-CK804 2x512 G. Skill DDR400 Dual Channel eVGA PCI-e 6600GT 200GB Western Digital SATA 480W Power Supply 19" Flat CRT Windows XP Pro SP2

09-11-2005, 08:14 PM	#4 (permalink)
Qlutch Silver Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Nebraska Age: 20 Posts: 213	No, you won't use dial-up anymore. When you connect to the network, there may be some configuring you'll have to do, but once you do that, you'll be able to get internet access through the network. When you get your card, put it in one of the PCI slots... they're usually tan colored. It will be easy to tell which slots your card will fit into, because PCI slots will be the only ones the card will fit. Just push it in, make sure it's nice and firmly in, and then fasten it in with a screw to the case. If you want a picture of what I mean, just ask. __________________ AMD 64 3500+ Chaintech NF-CK804 2x512 G. Skill DDR400 Dual Channel eVGA PCI-e 6600GT 200GB Western Digital SATA 480W Power Supply 19" Flat CRT Windows XP Pro SP2

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09-11-2005, 08:09 PM	#3 (permalink)
Californakate New Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 3	ok that makes sense. will i still have to use my ISP (aol) ?? like is there any dial up involved? or could i just click on internet explorer and thats it?? i've just been looking on ebay and the usb adapters are a bit cheaper, but i think i'll get the PCI card. when it does arrive can i put it in any of the motherboard holes?? (u know the long thin places the gold bits on the card fit in to) sorry for the 'highly technical language!' much thanks for your help Qlutch KC

09-11-2005, 08:17 PM	#5 (permalink)
Californakate New Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 3	cool thanks for your help i'm sure i'll be back once it arrives!!