internet connection question - Page 2

Caffeina · ‎03-09-2010

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.

Mom2Dogs · ‎03-09-2010

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The computer will power on but is very out of date, and cannot be updated.

Caffeina · ‎03-09-2010

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The computer will power on but is very out of date, and cannot be updated.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

Mom2Dogs · ‎03-09-2010

@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.

Caffeina · ‎03-09-2010

@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?

Caffeina · ‎03-09-2010

@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?

qbetzforreal · ‎08-28-2010

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.

SilleeMee · ‎05-22-2016

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.

Caffeina · ‎03-09-2010

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.

Mom2Dogs · ‎03-09-2010

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