Anne...if you don't have an ethernet port (it looks like a "fatter" telephone jack, you will have to buy one and have it installed. This is a job for your computer tech...not the telephone company. In fact, I bet if a tech from the phoe company came out - he would tell you that the ethernet card is your responsibility.

You have a PC, right? Not a laptop??

I was under the understanding all newer computers had an Ethernet card. How old is your computer?

The computer is a desk top. I was going to bring it in to the computer tech on Monday but the guy I spoke to at Bell Internet told me I didn't need the port. How come I know more than these so called techs?

Debby, the computer is older. I have Windows 2000 Professional on it and there is no Ethernet port. I can get one put in for $25 and have my computer back 2 hours later.

I am going to see if I can get a ride and bring the darn thing to the computer shop. I could have done it this morning if I had known the internet tech wasn't going to show up.

Anne

You have my sympathy...I know how frustrating that can be.

My year-old computer crashed. Thankfully, it is still under warranty. Had to be shipped back to the factory. HP had FedEx deliver an empty box with packing to return the CPU. Then FedEx picked up the PC and shipped it to HP.

They put a new motherboard on it, and returned it to me a week later. When I turned it on, can you imagine my shock to be welcomed to "Microsoft Windows 98"???? So it has to go back to the factory.

I included an information sheet stating that it was a "Windows Vista" machine--and there is a big label on the front of the CPU that says "Windows Vista". My stepson (who is a computer guru) says he didn't think new copies of Windows 98 would even be in existence now.

Unbelievable. I'm glad it's not my money going to FedEx, but I really miss my computer (the laptop is OK, but it's not the same).

Don't get me started! I had to call Verizon about my computer and I ended up talking to a woman from India whom I could hardly understand. She never did get a handle on the problem, told me to call the manufacturer. I knew that wasn't right.

Later, when we called to cancel Verizon service, DH was told that we could have talked to a tech from the US. Of course they never told us that when I called the tech number. They also kept offering us cheaper and cheaper service when they knew we were transferring. Why didn't they tell us that in the beginning! Needless to say, we transferred our service!

lmao Anna...not at you,but typical Bell Canada these days.

I've been down that road too too many times,so now I am with Cogeco for my internet,tv and telephone.

As far as this India crap goes,if you have to deal with Bell,call after 5 in the afternoon to avoid calling India...at least that is what I was told and it works....OR....tell them plain and simple,someone that speaks FLUENT English..thank you..and do not feel bad about it at all.

Now,get hold of them once you are internet connected,with confirmation numbers in hand.
Speak to the VP only..I have his # if you want it,email me.
Then,INSIST that you get 3 months free internet service..you'll get it,I am almost positive.

I'm not sure you "do" need a port with a laptop...you need a wireless card that just snaps in someplace...don't ask me where...and a wireless router. Over on the computer help forum they said I could do it myself. I didn't try it, but that's what they said. And...the ones in India..or turkey...or wherever give themselves American sounding names so that (they think) we will be fooled into thinking we are not calling to a country like that. I have yet to talk to a Turkish tech who could help me with a problem....

Oh yeah...your getting it from a phone company...a friend just did that and it snaps into her USB port

An older PC that doesn't have an ethernet card probably doesn't have a USB card either.

maybee...with an older laptop, what you would need is a PCMCIA card (looks like a thick credit card)...could be an ethernet card or a wireless adapter.

I got a chuckle about your having to talk to someone in India. I had to do that once for my firewall package....no fun. Also have to do that to add minutes to my emergency only cell phone. But the last couple of times I've had to call Roadrunner (cable internet), they give me someone in Canada. Now there's someone I could understand finally.

I hope you get it up and running quickly. Everytime I have a computer problem, I just dread the time and frustration it can involve to get it fixed.

Shirley

Hey - fomenting cherry ...

... or is that, "frothing at the mouth"?

Do I have a story for you!

Bell shares closed at $38.00 or something on Tuesday.

On WeDNESDAY MORNING THEY OPENED T ABOUT $24.00 AND SOMETHING, WENT DOWN INTO THE HIGH 23S ...

... AND CLOSED ON wED. AT $25.25!!

One guy at the investment group last night was smiling - he'd sold something like 1,000 shares about three days ago ...

... and bought them back, yesterday.

The company made a deal to be taken private, just before the finacial meltdown/firestorm, avalanche/debacle ... whatever you call it ... in te U.S. last year.

It's been hanging fire ever since ...

and, day before yesterday, their auditors said that it wasn't viable.

Good wishes for getting your system straightened out.

Don't get mad enough to revert.

Please.

ole joyful

Isn't it amazing how much these computer techs don't know? We went with the bundle with Comcast and it was the biggest mistake we ever made...The TV wasn't right, still isn't but that's another story...With the computer, when I would compose, I couldn't change the font, use bold or any of those things that should appear at the top of the page....It took months, actually months for them to figure out the problem...They even had me on a nation wide "project" or something trying to figure out the problem and finally said, nothing could be done...Well, 1 day, I had a young, at least he sounded young fellow on the phone and he said, he was going to get to the bottom of my problem...Would you believe it took him about 2 minutes and I could hear him in the background saying "YES"!...All he had to do was push a few buttons and no more problems....Some day, maybe our TV will be OK....

Now hold on thar a second babba-louie, don't be calling those telemarketers "techs". They're far from it. They're telemarketers and all telemarketers are scum.

There are modems that work through USB ports or through ethernet. Generally it's preferable to have the ethernet. They're normally going to be faster, and are easier to deal with in case of problems. It's a sturdy old technology and well-tested. USB is now older technology too but I still would prefer the ethernet if it were for me.

If someone from the phone company comes out, they'll slap in a universal installation disk, which may or may not work. Either way it'll likely install a lot of things you don't want or need. That's why I would go with a real tech if I were you. I'll tell you a little story about a friend of mine. He had Frontier come out to install a port on his computer. Well, the "tech" was his first day, had no idea what he was doing and screwed up the computer royally. It took me days to straighten it out. I billed them for it (around $500 since I had about 150 miles round trip driving and lots of time and Frontier was supposed to pay for it. Well naturally they balked. I didn't give in. I got paid. And I enjoy telling this story.

Remember Lily Tomlin's routine? We don't care...we don't have to, we're the phone company!

Also, if the computer isn't going to be moving around, or multiple computers used, I would not go wireless if I were you. Again, hardwired will be faster and more consistent connections and you'll have fewer security issues. The phone company likely will not set up any security for you so anyone around can use your connection for illegal purposes and though the odds are small, you are liable for what goes on over your connection so if they threaten national security, guess whose door Homeland Security knocks?

I understand your frustration and have been there. It's good to vent. Soon you'll be able to chuckle about it though.

BTW, I'd push hard for them to pay your bill for having it done and get some free time for your trouble. It's worth a try.

Oh, and I'm not sure about Vista, but I just noticed the other day that WindowsXP uses Windows98 to install it. I thought they did, but wasn't sure until I reloaded an older machine. FWIW, HP downloads the OS onto machines. They buy bulk licenses and download the OS onto the machines when installing. This is a common practice in large operations. And you can still get DOS and WIndows 3.1 if you wanted it. Though who would? Speaking of which I have a few sets of Windows98 if anyone is interested! :D

Let us know how it works out. Hope you get it resolved with a minimum of frustration.

Thank you for letting me vent and for the tips and your experiences. Cynic you made me laugh. LOL

So I call my brother today so he could give me a ride to the computer shop. I've just about had it with all this stuff then he says "you don't need an Ethernet Port" Blah, blah, blah. Not again! LOL He says he has dial up and he just uses his phone line. He said he wasn't going to take me just so I could waste my money. Geez Louise, I can't take anymore. LOL So I made some more calls - they are really getting to know mw in old India now - the guy said he could see it was about my 10th call. I told him if any of you could give me a straight answer or the correct thing to do I wouldn't have to keep calling. LOL I told him I wanted to cancel the "tech" that was coming to my house on Friday since I won't be home. He said he had no record of any tech arranged to come to my house. Not again! I told him he had better give me a number of who I can call because I won't be home. After asking me to wait on hold for 2 minitues (they all say 2 minitues) I get a Canadian number. I called them and finally got a cheerful person and they cancelled the tech.

I called the Bell Shop again and asked if I really need the Ethernet Port (to confirm this for my brother) and he said yes. I asked if I should use another type of modem since I have a desk top and don't really have the need for wireless. He said no.

I unhook the CPU and call my brother to pick me up. He still doesn't believe me but he said "its your money" I take the computer into the shop which was extremely busy and when I finally got to talk to the compuer repair tech he told me yes I did need the Ethernet Port but he said even though I will have DSL not to download anything - just use the computer for research. He also told me not to install Bell's security system because it will just shut down my computer. Great. He said to download the free AVG. He then didn't think I had a wireless card in the computer. Me, I know nothing about computers so it was kind of hard to comprehend all the things he was telling me not to do or what could happen.

I am glad I didn't sign a monthly contract with Bell. Who knows how long this computer will last. I won't do anything on it like banking or shopping. I am worried about someone outside getting access to my computer just because I am wireless. Now that I can't install Bell's security I am kind of worried about that. I don't want someone sitting outside of my house watching child pornography or something like that. I know one year at the Election Office we turned on one of the laptops and hooked into someone elses system. We found out who they were and told them the next day to fix their security. Good thing it was us and not someone else.

I think after I talk to the computer repair guy and see what he says I might call Bell again (wawa I don't want to) and see if I can just take back the wireless modem and get a hard wired one.

I found out today I do have a USB port whatever that is. LOL Isn't that where I would download pictures from my camera?

I wish I had bought the new computer like I was going to before my friend gave me hers. I was so excited - now not so much. Still I am grateful she was kind enought to think of me. I still have my Webtv thank goodness. LOL I just might forget about going online and use the computer for typing and playing Scrabble. LOL Better than nothing and I won't have to worry about viruses and trojan horses, etc. LOL

I hope you all had a Happy Thanksgiving.

Rhonda, I am going to call the Executive Office of Bell and complain. I do want something for all the aggravation and their incompetence. They can at least give me 3 months free for wasting my "precious time" like good old Dave from India said he didn't want to do.

Anne

I can't offer any computer help (I've been in Internet Hades for several weeks) but I can offer a big hug.

((((Anne))))

Anne -
I hope this resolves quickly for you.
Here's my .02: Because it is a desktop machine, there really is not a need for you to go wireless, but if that is how they set it up, you don't need to worry.
Any wireless network can be protected, or locked. Even if this were not so, you are not going to go to jail for someone committing crimes using your network. Every machine that can connect to the internet has a unique identifying ID number - called a MAC ID.
There are so many businesses that have open wireless networks, I don't think that criminals are without options. TBS, I'm surprised that my neighbor does not encrypt his network. My workplace requires that I have an encrypted network.
I encourage you to go forward with your pursuit of high speed internet - this is just the hard part.

Cherryfizz, I'll tell you what I tell everyone else: don't be paranoid, just be careful. You're obviously an intelligent person and you'll learn more as you have the computer longer. Don't be afraid to ask questions. One warning though: Don't be surprised if you get conflicting answers! But again, don't let it get to you. It's just an appliance. You wouldn't get all worked up over a hair dryer would you? (I hope not! LOL) People will disagree on things so you'll just decide for yourself the best route.

With the USB port, most cameras will be able to download the pictures onto the computer. There's a freebie program called Irfanview that is a super program to have around. It will let you resize the pictures and change them, crop them and more. It's very user-friendly. You probably will need to install some software for your camera to work on the computer, but it might work fine without. I'm not sure with Windows2000.

Oh, it's nice to resize when you're posting on forums. For people with dialup it's really considerate when people will make the file size smaller so it doesn't take all day to load. Easier to email too, again especially for dialup folks.

And geez, usually people laugh at me... when they SEE me! :D

Enjoy your computer. Get a good comfy chair to sit in. You can take the keyboard and mouse next to you while you kick your feet up and relax. Don't spill any beverages on it! ;)