EZ as 1-2-3

I received the router and network card on Thursday (if your confused check out this post). Naturally, since I wasn't in a big hurry to receive the stuff, it got here quicker than expected (as opposed to things I bought for Christmas).

I tried to install the network card, which went fine until Win98 couldn't find the CAB file it needed to from its own files (not off the hardrive or the CD). After doing a bit of research, I decided the best thing to do was to reformat the hard drive and do a clean install (I probably should have done that first as I have no idea what has been in contact with the hardrive before I got it). I formatted C, then shut down the computer, removed the dial-up card and installed 10/100 ethernet card.

Everything went smoothly once I re-installed Windows 98 to my great relief.

Then it was time to set up the router. I was a bit nervous because the instructions, called the EZ 3-Click Installation Guide, were very explicit; plug in the router, connect the router to the cable modem, connect all computers to the router, put the CD into the computer that I already had set up for the cable connection.

But, at that point the directions just said to follow the steps that came up on the screen. I wasn't getting the warm fuzzies from the abrupt end to the hand holding, but I gamely plowed on.

All I can say is that SMC Network's cable/DSL broadband Barricade router (model SMC7004VBR) and software made it a snap. I literally clicked 3 times on "Continue" and it did all the work for me. It took about 45 seconds.

I hadn't set up the second computer in any way for the Internet before I set up the router. I made sure that the Internet connection still worked for my main computer (it did, along with the email). Then, I clicked on IE on the other computer and held my breath. What a waste of trepidation! It connected right up. As a matter of fact I am downloading software updates on the second computer as I am writing this post.

They were right, it was EZ!

Comments

[Dax Montana]

Isn't it great when a plan comes together?! Just Damn!

[Cop Car]

Wow! I'm impressed. (And I like your "What a waste of trepidation!" comment!)

[Wichi Dude]

Sometimes life IS good. Nice things DO happen.

[bogie]

Dax - It is great when a plan comes together!

Cop Car - Now I have less trepidation for when I really need it - LOL.

Wichi Dude - Not a bad way to start out the New Year.

[Jay]

I know a guy who swears by SMC Barricade, but I had bad luck with them. Not ease of setup, but having it give me a crappy connection and then having it abruptly die after several months. I know another instance of that happening. On the other hand, their support people seem to be stellar.

In my case, I ended up sticking with Linksys, even though it bugs me that they now design them to look like toys rather than serious computer equipment.

[bogie]

I looked ratings on different products and found they seem to be pretty much the same - Either a person loved it or hated it. I went for this one because others had said it was easy to set up.

I haven't had any connection problems or slow-down problems as some have had and conclude that is because I am only demanding that it be a router and the firewall be enabled. I don't need parental controls or website blocking (or any of the other 100 things it can do), so it is a pretty basic configuration.

Feel free to laugh at me if I have problems down the road though. Of course that won't stop me from P&Ming if difficulties do arise!

[Cop Car]

*shocked* You wouldn't DO that, Bogie! (Leave the P&Ming to me--a more experienced practitioner.)

[Buffy]

Bogie, I hope our networking is as easy as your has been. We've added a router, and done some wiring, and now we need to be sure the plugs are in the right ports. So far, this computer is not recognizing the printers. :-(