"What I do not understand is why they charge a monthly fee of 7.95 for up to 4 computers." It may be that the contract you have with them now allows you to connect only a single PC and that they charge extra for multiple PCs to connect. That kind of pricing used to be more common when only propeller headed geeks had home networks, but home networks are pretty common these days, so charging extra seems unusual to me. I'd be in a bit of trouble if I were limited to 4 PCs. I think we've got 5 PCs, a Tivo, 2 game consoles, 2 handheld game systems and 2 iTouches that are all connected (or can be at various times). Fortunately, my ISP doesn't place any limit on the number of devices I connect.

This is one of those situations where there is a lot of compatibility of equipment even when they use different standards. Basically, here are the main things to know: 1) You need one, and only one, wireless router. An N router is probably the best choice for you, and would typically be backwards compatible with older technologies. It will handle your computer connections, printer connections, and other wireless systems, if you have any, like game players, or streaming video boxes like Roku players. 2) If you want the old Dell to connect wirelessly, it would likely need to have a wireless card added to one of the slots...not very expensive. Or you could continue to have it connected with an Ethernet cable to the new router. 3) You will need one computer hooked up by Ethernet cable to the new router to set up your system. Then it can be disconnected and used wirelessly afterwards if you want. 4) Your printer should be compatible with your router, and that varies among printers. If you have an N router, it would also likely interface fine with a b/g standard as well as N printer.

This is what he got me - from the box: SMC Networks Wireless Cardbus Adapter "Supports blazing wireless communcation at up to 108 MBPS." Advanced Wireles Security, includes Wi-Fi Protected Access. For Home and Small Office Networking. "Share your existing cable connection with multiple computers by addind a high performance Barriade g Router with USB Print server" Don't know about the last part, I could live without the print server, I just want to be able to work and browse in other rooms in the house besides my basement where the cable connection is. As for the memory card - I went to the "Crucial" RAM Scanner Web site as recommended by Zep516 on a previous post that I found through the search menu. I clicked on the Crucial System Scanner, and it said: Maximum Memory Capacity: 1024MB Currently Installed Memory: 256MB Available Memory Slots: 1 Number of Banks: 2 Dual Channel Support: No CPU Manufacturer: GenuineIntel CPU Family: Mobile Intel(R) Celeron(R) CPU 2.40GHz Model 2, Stepping 9 CPU Speed: 2392 MHz Each memory slot can hold DDR PC2700,DDR PC3200 with a maximum of 512MB per slot.* So I couldn't remember the exact number of what I have, but what I have is 256 MB of currently installed memory and one empty "slot."

follow the directions given with the router you do not change any cords till the cd tells you to take that step. Leave your desktop as you have had it, put the cd in the desktop cd drawer, run the cd follow the instructions it will tell you and show you exactly how and when to change the cords it will lead you through step by step, READ the instruction pamphlet that came with it that tells you what the cd does. When it tells you to set up a password for the router do it and write it down then tape that to the bottom of your router along with the name you give the SSID for your wireless network, you will at some point have to select to choose WPA2 for your method of security it is generally set there default, then it will give you a long WPA password you can accept that or create your own just keep that one it is more secure than one you create, be very very sure you write it down as it is caps and lower case and put that on the paper under the router. That is the key anyone in your house that wants to get on the wireless will need to enter into their laptop to connect, so that laptop will detect the wireless and then will ask for the password that is the one you just saved so you will enter that into the box and then it should connect if all is correct. On my linksys it asked during the set up if I wanted to print out all that info and yes I did and it also asked if you want to put a text file on your desktop with the info sure let it do that too you can delete it at any time if you no longer need it. Just take it one step at a time do not change anything till you have the cd in the machine and it tells you to. depending on the router you bought you can go to the company website and look up the model number and they all have a pdf manual on line with directions and pictures also. If you tell us which router you got someone might know more specifics of that particular one.