ok im going to reformat my inlaws comp since it has had numerouse issues going on with it. But what im asking is i know im gonna wipe out all the drivers and all but they have a DSL modum that i had to use the instalation cd with it. But now the cd is lost and i looked online for drivers there are none. So now if i were to just put the new os on after the reformat would windows xp still see that its still there and operational? or would i have to find the cd?
Is the modem hooked directly to the computer with usb or ethernet? If ethernet there should be no need for drivers.
I would get a wired or wireless router to put between the two, the hardware firewall is nice to have.
yeah thats what led to there problems. no antivirus or firewall. But its conected through ethernet cable. and the modem is the siemens gigaset se567
Shouldnt need a driver for an ethernet connection then... but I would get a decent router for it. The linksys routers are tried and true.
You might need to contact their ISP for logon info though. Some DSL connections require a username and password. You might want to contact them before doing the big F&R anyway, because they might require software (not a driver) for the DSL to work, and they might have it on their website.
get IE/firefow/google chrome open, and type in 192.168.0.1 . That should let you see all the settings for the modem. DSL is a stand alone unit if it is connected to the ethernet port. Back in the day I had over 30 computers on one dsl router.
You should be fine without one,i've never used one.
Linksys routers suck,had one paid 150.00 for it,lasted 1 week and ped out.
Had several low buck d-link routers and they suck too,lasting from 1 week to 7 months.
Finally broke down and bought a high buck(just like the linksys) d link extreme and it has lasted over a year and is still going( i use alot of bandwidth).
I guess it all depends on what you download but i've never run antivirus(slows down the pc)and i have tried a firewall(but it's a pain in the ass for gaming and such) so i don't run anything and i've been fine for the past 10yrs knock on wood.