I was wondering what advantage ethernet has over usb, or vice-versa? I have a cable usb modem, and as i am thinking of switching isp soon, and if i go with ntl or cable people then i will have to havea usb modem. Is there any advantage for either of these?
USB vs Ethernet
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Ian
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I'd say its pretty much a disadvantage to use USB. Mainly because it isn't an "always on" connection, its a bit more unstable in my experience and it takes up a USB port. I much prefer using a router and linking my PC up that way, although if there is just one PC then a USB modem will be fine 
Thats just my preference, but if you get a free USB modem it may be worth sticking with it Not used NTL/Cable myself, only ADSL - but I know a few others here to use them.
Thats just my preference, but if you get a free USB modem it may be worth sticking with it
Not used NTL/Cable myself, only ADSL - but I know a few others here to use them.
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ANY company that supplies a USB modem ... are being cheap, stupid, and very ignorant.
USB should NEVER be used for Internet connection ... Ethernet does it, has done it for bloody ages.
USB should NEVER be used for Internet connection ... Ethernet does it, has done it for bloody ages.
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I'm with Ian on this one - try to use an ethernet connection if you can as thats what they're for - USB wasn't created for this sort of thing.
I'm with Telewest cable, and they gave me a ethernet modem which I connect through a router. Ask NTL to supply you with an ethernet modem instead - they should be able to.
I'm with Telewest cable, and they gave me a ethernet modem which I connect through a router. Ask NTL to supply you with an ethernet modem instead - they should be able to.
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Ethernet.
USB net connection sucks.
USB net connection sucks.
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ah, did not spot that bit ...
NTL will give you a modem with both USB & Ethernet ... it actually WANTS to use Ethernet by default, so set it up that way.
Keep the USB cable ... it will come in handy for when you by a USB new printer.
NTL will give you a modem with both USB & Ethernet ... it actually WANTS to use Ethernet by default, so set it up that way.
Keep the USB cable ... it will come in handy for when you by a USB new printer.
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muckshifter said:ah, did not spot that bit ...
NTL will give you a modem with both USB & Ethernet ... it actually WANTS to use Ethernet by default, so set it up that way.
Keep the USB cable ... it will come in handy for when you by a USB new printer.
Now that is a whole other issue that ****es me off. You buy a $100.00 USB printer and they can't include a lousy $6.00 dollar USB cable!!!
Oh yea.... go with the Ethernet cable. Ethernet rated 10/100 I can't see USB being an advantage over that... I think they only started this whole USB thing because the average person gets confused by the Cat5e.
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The main reason they use USB is the fact that not all PCs have Ethernet, but some 90% do have USB port.
It would make them on par with the printer industry ... no printer cable.
You would have had to buy an Ethernet card and fit it yourself ... now that is beyond what most people can do. Open up the case to fit a card just to get the modem to talk to the PC ...
Today, an Ethernet port on a PC is standard.
It would make them on par with the printer industry ... no printer cable.
You would have had to buy an Ethernet card and fit it yourself ... now that is beyond what most people can do. Open up the case to fit a card just to get the modem to talk to the PC ...
Today, an Ethernet port on a PC is standard.
I really wanted telewest but they are not cabled in my area 
so i am really looking to replace my current ntl with a new ntl as i know im cabled etc. Plus i get a great deal with ntl tv & phone so yay
My current modem actually has an ethernet connection as well, but they installed it on usb, and recommended to only use ethernet for macs :X
whats that about?
so i am really looking to replace my current ntl with a new ntl as i know im cabled etc. Plus i get a great deal with ntl tv & phone so yay
My current modem actually has an ethernet connection as well, but they installed it on usb, and recommended to only use ethernet for macs :X
whats that about?
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Ignorance of the facts.PotGuy said:
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No problem, just uninstall all the NTL cr*p and do a direct ethernet connection without it, the modem will automatically detect the settingsPotGuy said:I really wanted telewest but they are not cabled in my area
My current modem actually has an ethernet connection as well, but they installed it on usb, and recommended to only use ethernet for macs :X
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They'll need the MAC address of the new modem.Adywebb said:No problem, just uninstall all the NTL cr*p and do a direct ethernet connection without it, the modem will automatically detect the settings
If it fails ... phone 0845 650 0121 ... tell them you have a 'spot of bother' and they will "fix" it from their end.
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muckshifter said:They'll need the MAC address of the new modem.
If it fails ... phone 0845 650 0121 ... tell them you have a 'spot of bother' and they will "fix" it from their end.
I assumed it was like my Telewest one, they did away with MAC address registration ages ago.
I hope when the merger goes through that NTL goes over to the Telewest way of doing things and not the other way round
Well after the merge telewest are going to get enormous speed upgrades for nothing, and i will still be stuck getting boring 1-2mb ntl ( im on 512k atm)
oh and btw: The software that came to install the internet buggered up after using it twice. I have tried to get it again but they do not make it anymore as i got it about 3 years ago, and so they have upgraded software/modems
oh and btw: The software that came to install the internet buggered up after using it twice. I have tried to get it again but they do not make it anymore as i got it about 3 years ago, and so they have upgraded software/modems
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PotGuy said:
Remember you don't have to use their software, they only want you to as it has their advertising etc all over it - it is not required.
Telewest try to get you to install their software as well - I told them not to bother and did a direct connection without it - windows can do it all for you...
wow ok so:
if i get internet @ christmas, and i tell ntl i dont want them to install, then will they supply a modem, and all the addresses etc? And then i can connect to gigabit ethernet without their software?
sorry if this is obvious stuff but my broadband was connected when this computer was new, nearly 4 years ago, which was about 3 years before i got interested in how computers work and everything, so i have no knowledge really of connecting internet
if i get internet @ christmas, and i tell ntl i dont want them to install, then will they supply a modem, and all the addresses etc? And then i can connect to gigabit ethernet without their software?
sorry if this is obvious stuff but my broadband was connected when this computer was new, nearly 4 years ago, which was about 3 years before i got interested in how computers work and everything, so i have no knowledge really of connecting internet
lol yes sorry reading back that doesnt make much sense
basically, i have been on 512k ntl broadband for about 3 years.
when i have built the new computer at christmas, i will get a new internet connection along with a router
I will get ntl again, but probably 1 or 2mb. I could upgrade my current one to a higher speed but i think as i am getting everything else new, i may as well go the whole hog and get a new modem as well.
does that clear things up a bit?
basically, i have been on 512k ntl broadband for about 3 years.
when i have built the new computer at christmas, i will get a new internet connection along with a router
I will get ntl again, but probably 1 or 2mb. I could upgrade my current one to a higher speed but i think as i am getting everything else new, i may as well go the whole hog and get a new modem as well.
does that clear things up a bit?
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OK, I need to establish if this is an upgrade, or if you've served notice of cancellation for your old 512 connection and ordered a new connection with a new contract.
If its new, thats fine they will supply you with a new modem - if they're treating it as an upgrade, then you may find that they will want to use the old one if its up to the job.
Whatever way it goes, when they arrive just ask them to connect the modem to the incoming cable connector, and then just use an RJ45 ethernet cable to plug it into your PC's LAN.
If its like Telewest then the modem automatically finds the settings and off you go - if not with NTL, get him to give you the settings to manually input.
They won't want to install it via a router, so your going to have to disconnect the modem and set it up via the router yourself anyway.
They may not bring an RJ45 cable with them if they are expecting to use USB, so I would go and buy one and have it ready (£5 - £10 from PC World)- you can always use it for your router at a later date. Personally I would get either a Cat5e or Cat 6 rated cable.
If its new, thats fine they will supply you with a new modem - if they're treating it as an upgrade, then you may find that they will want to use the old one if its up to the job.
Whatever way it goes, when they arrive just ask them to connect the modem to the incoming cable connector, and then just use an RJ45 ethernet cable to plug it into your PC's LAN.
If its like Telewest then the modem automatically finds the settings and off you go - if not with NTL, get him to give you the settings to manually input.
They won't want to install it via a router, so your going to have to disconnect the modem and set it up via the router yourself anyway.
They may not bring an RJ45 cable with them if they are expecting to use USB, so I would go and buy one and have it ready (£5 - £10 from PC World)- you can always use it for your router at a later date. Personally I would get either a Cat5e or Cat 6 rated cable.