topic Re: internet connection question in Electronics

internet connection question

Mom2Dogs — Wed, 22 Feb 2023 23:56:58 GMT

I HOPE this makes sense. My girl friend uses here computer - that she does not use-it does not work - to run her internet modem thru.

She is trying to purge her house (LOTS of stuff to move out) and this is one thing that could get pitched - but neither one of us know why the modem runs thru her computer. My modem does not work the way hers does.

any feed back would help.

Re: internet connection question

SilleeMee — Thu, 23 Feb 2023 00:05:23 GMT

If that computer is not being used then just disconnect it from the modem.If the computer doesn't work then why have internet service to begin with?

Re: internet connection question

Zhills — Thu, 23 Feb 2023 00:34:54 GMT

WiFi is using it as a "hot spot." Don't understand all about them. Just know it happens. You can still use data on an old smartphone.

Re: internet connection question

Caffeina — Thu, 23 Feb 2023 00:47:40 GMT

A computer needs a modem to connect to the internet.

The computer can be connected directly to a modem with a wire.

Many computers can be connected wirelessly if the user also has a router, or a modem/router combo.

Re: internet connection question

SilleeMee — Thu, 23 Feb 2023 00:50:54 GMT

OP said the computer does not work.

Re: internet connection question

Mom2Dogs — Thu, 23 Feb 2023 01:07:36 GMT

@SilleeMee @Caffeina I don't understand either. Computer is used for the modem for WIFI in the house I guess. She uses her phone like a lot of people do that don't have a laptop or desk top computer. I just know why it has to go thru the computer but as was mentioned maybe it is a 'hot spot'

It baffles me.

Re: internet connection question

rockygems123 — Thu, 23 Feb 2023 01:22:03 GMT

@Mom2Dogs I don't know if this is the same thing but I have heard of playstations being used for internet or hot spots, i.e. like a raku for the TV

Re: internet connection question

SilleeMee — Thu, 23 Feb 2023 01:53:37 GMT

@Mom2Dogs

If the computer is nonfunctional then I don't see how it can be used as a hotspot. Is the computer turned on? Or is it just sitting there w/o power? Try disconnecting it and see what happens.

Re: internet connection question

Lilysmom1 — Thu, 23 Feb 2023 10:28:26 GMT

What @SilleeMee says.

Re: internet connection question

gadgetgal613 — Thu, 23 Feb 2023 11:41:28 GMT

@Mom2Dogs wrote:
I HOPE this makes sense. My girl friend uses here computer - that she does not use-it does not work - to run her internet modem thru.

She is trying to purge her house (LOTS of stuff to move out) and this is one thing that could get pitched - but neither one of us know why the modem runs thru her computer. My modem does not work the way hers does.

any feed back would help.

Very easy, disconnect the computer and see what happens. You don't need a computer to have WIFI in the house. What you need is a modem and a wireless router. I wonder just how old this system is and if she is getting the speed she is paying for. See if you two have a tech savvy friend to help and get her a new setup.

Re: internet connection question

Caffeina — Thu, 23 Feb 2023 14:09:57 GMT

Does she still have internet service, and who is her provider?

Did she buy or rent her modem? If she rented/rents it, and no longer needs it, she might have to return it to the provider.

Re: internet connection question

Mom2Dogs — Thu, 23 Feb 2023 15:21:43 GMT

@Caffeina wrote:
Does she still have internet service, and who is her provider?

Did she buy or rent her modem? If she rented/rents it, and no longer needs it, she might have to return it to the provider.

...Yes she has internet service - the modem/router she has came from the internet provider..they are the ones that hooked it up thru her desk top computer.

The computer will power on but is very out of date, and cannot be updated.

Re: internet connection question

Caffeina — Thu, 23 Feb 2023 15:51:51 GMT

@Mom2Dogs wrote:
@Caffeina wrote:
Does she still have internet service, and who is her provider?

Did she buy or rent her modem? If she rented/rents it, and no longer needs it, she might have to return it to the provider.
...Yes she has internet service - the modem/router she has came from the internet provider..they are the ones that hooked it up thru her desk top computer.

The computer will power on but is very out of date, and cannot be updated.

Since she has internet service, she needs the modem.

If she wants to get rid of the computer, she should have the hard drive wiped first, or better yet, removed and destroyed.

Re: internet connection question

Mom2Dogs — Thu, 23 Feb 2023 18:47:56 GMT

@Caffeina yes, I understand that but the orginal question is why does the router/modem have to be run thru her desktop computer? My router/modem is not set up that way.

Re: internet connection question

Caffeina — Thu, 23 Feb 2023 20:29:58 GMT

@Mom2Dogs wrote:
@Caffeina yes, I understand that but the orginal question is why does the router/modem have to be run thru her desktop computer? My router/modem is not set up that way.

@Mom2Dogs

No, it doesn't have to be connected to the computer if she's not using the computer. From what you've described, it sounds like she has a wired connection to the computer, and you have a wireless connection. Am I correct?

Re: internet connection question

Caffeina — Thu, 23 Feb 2023 20:34:39 GMT

@Mom2Dogs

It would help if you could share a picture of her computer and modem. If not, what's the brand and model number of the modem?

I just want to make sure whether or not she has just a modem, or a modem/router combo.

Does she use her phone to connect to wi-fi at home, or does she use mobile data?

Re: internet connection question

qbetzforreal — Thu, 23 Feb 2023 20:55:13 GMT

It sounds like she has wired modem. The modem is connected to the computer via an ethernet cable. It runs because it's attached.

She can junk the computer and upgrade to a wireless modem.

Re: internet connection question

SilleeMee — Thu, 23 Feb 2023 22:11:22 GMT

Some computers have the ability to create a hotspot in a house w/o a router. But the computer has to have a mobile hotspot feature which needs to be setup to connect to other devices you choose. With this type of internet connection there is no need for a router. Only a modem is needed in this case. If this kind of connection is what the OP is questioning then the computer needs to be connected to the modem so that the mobile hotspot remains active.

In other words the computer serves a 'router' but only for other devices (phone, tablet) which has been setup to share the internet connection in the computer's mobile hotspot network.

Re: internet connection question

Caffeina — Fri, 24 Feb 2023 00:44:59 GMT

Today OP said the computer is a desktop that is very out of date and can't be updated. I think it might be so old it doesn't have a hotspot feature. It might not even have wi-fi which would explain why the provider wired it to the modem.

Re: internet connection question

Mom2Dogs — Fri, 24 Feb 2023 00:52:32 GMT

Thanks everyone for the replies. I am more interested in why the internet is set up the way it is than my friend. Curretly she is under a LOT of stress and I am helping her purge her home for a possible move.

Quizzing her about the internet connection would not go well, LOL.

Next time I am at her house I will suggest she pitch the desktop and go wireless - if it will cost her more money, she will not be interested right now...with what is going on in her life, dealing with her internet is not a priority.

again, thanks