Upgrading and Repairing PCs (17th Edition)

Communication between computers is a major part of the PC computing industry. Thanks to the World Wide Web (WWW), no computer user is an island. Whether using a dialup modem or broadband technology, virtually all PCs can be connected to other computers, enabling them to share files, send and receive email, and access the Internet. This chapter explores the various technologies you can use to expand the reach of your PC around the block and around the world.

It might surprise you to see discussions of protocols and networking setup in both this chapter and the LAN chapter of this book, but a modem connection is really just another form of networking. In fact, 32-bit versions of Windows from Windows NT and Windows 9x all the way through Windows XP have all but blended the two services into a single entity.

The reason for this combination is that the typical target for a modem connection has changed over the years. Computer users a decade ago dialed in to bulletin board systems (BBSs), which are proprietary services that provide terminal access to other computers. However, BBSs are practically extinct today. Similarly, proprietary online services such as America Online and CompuServe (now owned by AOL but maintained as a separate service), which have also been around for many years, have almost entirely dropped their proprietary client software and protocols and have been reborn as gateways to the Internet.

With the explosive growth of the Internet, modem and network technologies were joined because both could use the same client software and protocols. Today, the most popular suite of networking protocolsTCP/IPis used on both LANs and the Internet. When you dial in to an Internet service provider (ISP), you are actually connecting to a network using a modem instead of a network interface card, and when you use most broadband services, your path to the Internet typically starts with a network interface card, built-in network port, network-to-USB adapter, or even a wireless connection.

Although some new PCs still include a dialup modem, an increasing number of PC users are abandoning dialup Internet access for the faster world of broadband access. In fact, according to the Broadband Update report by eMarketer.com, in 2006 the number of online households in the United States will exceed 51 million. Not bad when you consider that in 1995 no one had a broadband connection in their home and in 2000 only 8.9% of home users had access to broadband. In fact, 2005 marked the first time that the number of broadband users exceeded the number of dialup users both in the United States and worldwide.

Although broadband is growing at a rapid rate and is replacing dialup for the majority of users, dialup connections still have their uses and a large user base. Those without broadband options, those on a budget, or those who travel still need a dialup connection. They can also serve as a valuable backup Internet access source. Even though I use broadband when I can, I still configure new PCs with dialup modems for emergency use when the broadband connection is down. You'll find dialup modem coverage in the second portion of this chapter.

Comparing Broadband and Dialup Modem Internet Access

Even though many new PCs purchased at retail include some type of dialup modem you can use for Internet and email access, you are likely to find that Internet and email access with a dialup modem aren't sufficient for your needs if you use these services for more than a few minutes each day. If you haven't already, here are some reasons you should consider switching to a broadband service:

• Speed. The fastest dialup modems can download data at a maximum rate of 56Kbps (limited in the United States to just 53Kbps by the FCC), whereas broadband services start at 128Kbps for ISDN. Newer forms of broadband, such as DSL and cable modems, start at 384Kbps and typically exceed 500Kbps. Many of the latest services offer 4Mbps8Mbps download speeds. Similarly, broadband services can upload data at several times the speed of a dialup modem.

• Convenience. Cable modems and some types of DSL and satellite broadband Internet service are always on, providing you with an immediate connection as soon as you open your web browser or email client. Dialup modems require you to dial up the server and wait up to a minute before you can check your email or surf the Web. Similarly, always-on broadband services can provide you with immediate notification of incoming email, whereas dialup systems can check for incoming email only if you stay online and tie up your phone line.

• Telephone line usage. In the wake of the September 11th terrorist attacks on the United States, keeping telephone communications lines open for emergencies has been a major consideration for many people. Most dialup modems do not support call waiting, making it difficult for callers to reach you with important messages while you're online unless you use call-forwarding or call-notification software. Although some dialup ISPs provide software that can alert you to incoming calls, in most cases you must find and install such software yourself. By contrast, most broadband services keep your telephone line free so you can check email or surf the Web and use the telephone at the same time.

• Price. One disadvantage of broadband communications is apparent when you see your bill: It costs two to three times as much per month as dialup access with a dialup modem. However, millions of U.S. users believe the additional speed and convenience of broadband make the extra cost of the service per month a worthwhile investment. If you use the Internet enough to justify installing a second phone line just for Internet use, the price gap narrows considerably because you can use most broadband services without tying up your single existing phone line. If you have cable TV, most cable TV providers now also offer cable broadband service and provide a discount off the normal price for customers who have both cable TV and cable Internet service.

• Ease of reconnection after an operating system upgrade. Because broadband Internet is usually based on automatically configured TCP/IP network settings, you should be able to keep your broadband connection running during a Windows upgrade with little difficulty. Just verify that you have the correct drivers for your Ethernet adapter (used for most broadband connections) before you perform the upgrade, note your computer and workgroup name, and you should be able to go online as soon as the upgrade is completed. A dialup connection is often much tougher to keep working, especially because of the different methods used by various Windows versions for handling dialup networking.

Broadband Internet Access Types

Thanks to the combination of huge multimegabyte downloads needed to update software and support hardware, dynamic websites with music and full-motion video, and increased demand for online services, even the fastest dialup modem (which can download at just 53Kbps) isn't sufficient for heavy Internet use. More and more users are taking advantage of various types of broadband Internet access solutions, including:

• Cable modem

• DSL

• Fixed-base wireless

• Satellite-based services

• ISDN

• Leased lines

At least one of these services might be available to you, and if you live in a large- to medium-size city, you might be able to choose from two or more of these broadband solutions. The first portion of this chapter focuses on these solutions.

High Speed = Less Freedom

Although high-speed services such as cable modems, DSL, and others all represent major improvements in speed over existing dialup 56Kbps connections, one big drawback you should consider is the loss of freedom in choosing an ISP.

With a 56Kbps dialup modem, you can choose from a wide variety of services, including

• Local ISPs (personalized service)

• National ISPs with dialup access across the country (great for travelers)

• Online services with customized content plus web access (AOL and CompuServe)

• Family-friendly filtered Internet access (Mayberry USA and Lightdog)

• Business-oriented web hosting plus Internet access plans from many vendors

At present, if you want faster speed, you must use the ISP provided with your high-speed service. Whether it's your local telephone company, a third-party vendor, or your friendly cable TV operator, their ISP is your ISP. When you evaluate a high-speed service, remember to look at the special features and services provided by the ISP and its track record for reliability and keeping customers happy. After all, the quality of the work your ISP does is reflected in the quality of your broadband connection.

Tip

If you want the extra speed and convenience of broadband Internet but want to shield your family from some types of Internet content, several filtering services are available that work with your preferred broadband service, including these:

• Cleanweb's Filter Your Internet (FYI) at www.cleanweb.net

• Bsafe Online at http://www.bsafehome.com