posted on March 6, 2001 04:17:52 PM
I hope my question is clear. I'm somewhat confused.
My employer wants to purchase a computer for me. I work at home a lot and currently use a Micron with an Efficient ADSL 3060 modem and use Bell Atlantic DSL service.
My boss told me to go to Dell's web site, customize the system I need and order away. All the computers at Dell come with Windows Me. Bell Atlantic says that my DSL modem is not compatible with Windows Me and upgrading to that operating system is not advisable until BA can come up with drivers to make it work.
If I get a network card with the new computer, will I not need the DSL modem anymore? Can I plug the DSL line into the network card and be okay?
I figured I'd just swap out my current hard drive and put it into the new system so all my software is up and running, but I imagine that the drivers for the new system's sound card, modem, etc, are on the drive included. I'm not sure if swapping my drive is a good idea.
posted on March 6, 2001 04:38:43 PM
Take a look at the Professional line at Dell. You can order Win98se on those.
Can't answer the question about DSL since I know nothing about it.
I would think swapping drives would not be a great idea as the new system will have different hardware, motherboard, bios, etc. Your software needs to be actually installed as well, not just copied. Of course data files can be copied to the new hard drive.
I was going to the dell4me site instead of just dell.com and choosing home systems. When I went to plain old dell.com I found the same system in the business purchase category with Win 98 as an option.
Regarding the DSL question. You will still need a DSL modem with your new computer. If the DSL modem you have now is not connected to a network card, you may need a different DSL modem. The modems are usually built specific to the type of modem to computer connection you use.
It is possible to get the computer with a DSL modem card installed, which would negate the need for a separate DSL modem, make sure you query Dell about that - it would be the best way to go as your company is paying for the computer.
posted on March 6, 2001 08:03:33 PM
I believe the DSL connection you have uses a internal card (this card is the DSL modem).
I have the same type of connection and am in the process of contacting my DSL provider to get an external DSL modem. I want to put up a DSL Router/Firewall and this does not work with the interal card.
If you have the internal card and no exteranl modem, you can NOT just plug the connection from the wall into the network card. You need a DSL modem. These are usually provided by the DSL service provider.
posted on March 6, 2001 09:12:12 PM
Hi again kerryann!
Hoping to clarify (and not confuse) the DSL issue - If you have an Efficient 3060 internal ADSL modem, you currently plug your DSL (phone) line directly into the back of the card in your current computer.
With a new computer, you would have to transfer that card (which is your DSL modem) to the new computer, or acquire an external DSL modem. If you get an external DSL modem, you can either get (for use with BellAtlantic DSL) a Westell type, which would plug into an ethernet card in your computer, or the Efficient 4060 external DSL modem, which plugs into an open USB port in your computer.
All three systems perform the same function and your choice would be dependent on what your computer has available. If you already have the 3060 card, it would probably be easiest to transfer that card to the new computer.
Swapping hard drive is (as Meya said) not a good idea. However if you have an open bay in the new computer, you can easily add your current hard drive as a second drive, and thereby have all of the information on your old drive easily available.
