broadband via ethernet connection

Same thing happened to me when I went from dialup to adsl. I had to buy an ethernet card and fit it. No big deal and I'm no computer geek. I just went to my local computer shop and told them I'd gone to adsl and told them what sort of router I had, they provided the ethernet card (wasn't expensive). I just put the ethernet card in a vacant slot and cabled up and voila, all done.

I was glad I went to the shop and asked for advice though, told them I didn't have a clue what I was doing but they were very helpful.

As stated above, this is definitely not a techie answer, just my experience.

btw I have a pc running Windows xp, no idea how to handle this if you have a Mac.

On edit: I just noticed your concern about being signed up to something you can't use. That shouldn't be the case. Your computer should be able to accommodate the ethernet card. As I said, they are not expensive and easy to fit so no need to worry that you have signed up for something you can't use. And on that can your broadband provider assist with some technical advice? Do they have a help forum on their home page?

Have a look here for some advice.

http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/its/resnet/desktopcard.shtml

Thanks for that mate really appreciated you have put my mind at ease :wink:

Ethernet

If your computer is 2 years old or less you have it already.
Most computer even 5 years old probably had it built in
Macs have come with it built in since before they introduced the G3.

If you need to add it, you can usually pick up a NIC card for under $10 US
Just about any OS will recognize it at startup if you do add one.

Security note -
Make sure you have a firewall since it means you will be always connected now. Most experts will tell you to get a small router with a built in hardware firewall. Once again, it isn't too expensive and unless you are doing gaming or want others to have access to your computer you don't have to do much more than plug it in.

thanks its just arrived today (my broadband modem), it also works on usb so im covered either way.the woman on the phone said it connected via ethernet but on the box it says you can connect either ethernet or usb.

Ah good news! There you go, you'll see a major benefit in broadband.

And parados is right about security. If you don't have hardware security via firewall on the modem/router then you might can get a software one. I use Sydate Personal Firewall which is a free download from their site. Just an idea, someone else might have a better one.