The guy at the computer store said it couldn't be done. NOT

#1 Postby **coriolis** » Tue Dec 23, 2003 11:04 pm

I bought another new used computer from a surplus auction at work. It's a P2/400, WinNT4.0. OK, it's a dinosaur but I only paid $15 for it. I also got a "surplus" network hub box for free. The administrators at work said that I could use it to connect two computers on one cable modem. I bought a used monitor at one shop, and then went to another shop to get a couple of ethernet cables. The guy desperately wanted to sell me a router ($70). He said that the local cable company would not give me a second IP address and if I tried to do it, I'd get busted. I took his advice with a grain of salt and said "no thanks." I called the cable company and they will give a 2nd IP address for an extra $6 a month. I bought the cables at another store and got everything hooked up. After about 20 minutes with tech support on the phone, everything is working! I am typing this message from our #2 computer!
Still need to get the firewall etc, set up on this machine, but I'm in business X2! Now I can do S2K while the better half trolls ebay or the kids play on-line games.
Total cost = $15 for the 'puter + $50 for the monitor+ $15 for the cables=$80 total cost for getting a 2nd machine going. This keeps my tradition going: Never bought a new computer. (strained shoulder patting self on back)

David · #2 Postby **David** » Tue Dec 23, 2003 11:16 pm

Good job. I need a new computer...

blizzard · #3 Postby **blizzard** » Wed Dec 24, 2003 6:57 am

Most of the kids working at those stores are about as computer literate as my cat. My favorite ones are the kids that work at Best Buy. They think that they are so knowledgeable.I have so much fun with them, I start asking really technical questions, and then answer my own questions with another question, and they are like...Yeah, that's right. Like they answered it.

Congratulations on your new puter Coriolis. Having more than one on a network is a life saver for me. I have our main puter, the kids' and my laptop configured on our network. I do have a router though so I only need one IP address for all puters. It is nice.

mf_dolphin · #4 Postby **mf_dolphin** » Wed Dec 24, 2003 7:48 am

Ed while it works, in 12 months you will pay for the cost of the router. :-)

Roadrunner here charges 10/month for the second IP address :-(

I now have 5 computers hooked up here, one for each person and one extra my desk for my work laptop ... Broadband rules! :-)

#5 Postby **vbhoutex** » Wed Dec 24, 2003 7:56 am

mf_dolphin wrote:Ed while it works, in 12 months you will pay for the cost of the router. Roadrunner here charges 10/month for the second IP address I now have 5 computers hooked up here, one for each person and one extra my desk for my work laptop ... Broadband rules!

Same here on the costs Marshall. We have 3 comps hooked up through the router we bought for $129!!!(new :roll:

Still trying to get my new employers off their butts about selling me(cheap)some of the surplus computers sitting in my office!!! They are all P3 or better and most are set up as CADD workstations with 19" monitors.

#6 Postby **coriolis** » Wed Dec 24, 2003 8:33 am

Marshall, you are absouluetly right. with xmas looming, I didn't want to put out the extra $$ now. I will definitely take that step at the appropriate time. I have two lingering issues that are making me hold off: 1. Whether MinME and WinNT will be compatible on a network and 2, the possibility that the network guy at work will be able to provide the upgrade to WinXP. He's checking the licenses to see if the liscence can go with the machine, or if it stays with the owner.

BTY Blizzard, the guy who wanted to sell me the router was the owner of the shop. I think he was practicing "agressive" marketing.

VB: just the mention of a 19" monitor makes me salivate! I remember when cadd first came out, they were running it on 386's LOL

mf_dolphin · #7 Postby **mf_dolphin** » Wed Dec 24, 2003 9:21 am

Ed there shouldn't be any issue with the different OS versions other than they all configure differently. :-)

The only thing that's consistent about Microsoft is their inconsistency LOL

Colin · #8 Postby **Colin** » Wed Dec 24, 2003 9:32 am

That's pretty cool!

Cable internet does everything...when I had Dial-Up, we all thought it was the computer, but when we got Cable Internet, the puter started working awesome.

Good job!

stormchazer · #9 Postby **stormchazer** » Wed Dec 24, 2003 9:48 am

One advantage for footing the bill for a router is security. Most routers come with a basic hardware firewall and Network Address Translation.

#10 Postby **azskyman** » Wed Dec 24, 2003 9:53 am

Ed, congrats on bringing it all together. Part of being a "civil engineer" is to find a way to be civil when sharing computer time. You've done it...and although it may not last years into the future, it will certainly start your new year off with a smile!

Rainband · #11 Postby **Rainband** » Wed Dec 24, 2003 11:04 am

Congrats on the new puter Ed. Great JOB

pawlee · #12 Postby **pawlee** » Wed Dec 24, 2003 12:58 pm

coriolis wrote:$15 for the 'puter + $50 for the monitor+ $15 for the cables... (strained shoulder patting self on back)

PRICELESS!!!

(lol! couldn't resist that one ed!)

The guy at the computer store said it couldn't be done. NOT

The guy at the computer store said it couldn't be done. NOT

Re: The guy at the computer store said it couldn't be done.

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