I have tried all the "resets" and that doesn't help. I have taken the laptop to Radio Shack, where he bought the Linksys router and they say it should work as the laptop "sees" the wireless connection. And, yes, when I plug the laptop directly into the satellite modem, it works just fine. The laptop SEES the wireless connect, but for whatever reason, I can't get on-line. I might also mention that the satellite modem does NOT have a router--there's just the one router, the Linksys router that I got as a birthday gift. I'll probably take the laptop back to Radio Shack or some other computer guru and see if they can "fix" it. I'm so frustrated I'm about to toss the whole da** thing into the pond!!! Augh! I told the Mr. I wanted the router AND SOMEONE TO INSTALL IT for my birthday--he got the router, but not the installer!! Again, thanks everyone for trying to help me. I do appreciate ya'll. Linda E

I'm a bit confused. Is Hazmom asking about DSL? If it is available where you live, by all means go with that. But a wireless card, again if EVDO is available to you, will be just as expensive as satellite (well, maybe less because of installation costs), but will have some advantages. I have satellite, and while it is faster than dialup, I do have some minor problems from time to time. I have the cheapest plan available @ $50 per month. Unfortunately for me, it is all that is available other than very slow dialup.

What a coincidence! I came here to post about my external modem I had to buy in order for me to get onto the Internet so I shall answer your question first. Yes, you have to purchase an external modem which plugs into the USB port which has a wire connecting into your phone jack. Be sure it is one which works with your operating system. I was using a modem for over a year which I just found out was the problem of my getting disconnected several times when I first dialed up before I was able to stay online. Almost like the modem had to "warm up". I didn't know it was the modem until I just installed a new one of a different brand that had a different connection I liked. That was a few days ago and happy to report, I stay connected with this one. No more "warm up" time. "LOL"

I assume they are just not the latest standard. I called the company that installed them and someone came out to label them. But, he couldn't really tell me much about how to use it. The cables run to a box in the garage. The previous owners had satellite boxes and DVD players in various closets with cables running from there to the various TVs. There are cat 5e+ outlets in every room. For example, master bedroom closet has a box connected to satellite and internet - from there it goes into an office and the master bedroom. Guest room had satellite box and DVD in closet and then wires coming out into the guest room for TV. We removed the wires and patched the wall but we did leave wires in the closest in case we wanted to use in the future. The bonus room closet upstairs had same set up. Satellite guy ran a HDMI from a cable in the closet to TV which now has a mini-geni rather than box in the closet. So now we have lots of unsued cables in the closet and coming out of the wall in the bonus room. What I would like to do is either get rid of them or use them. I would also like to know how to network our printer and also use internet for TV. We are about to paint our master bedroom and need to decide where or not to keep these cables. Thanks for your help.