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xp/verizon dsl desktop-phone/ethernet conn. damaged elec.storm-new laptop LR how to be online w/both computers at same time

I have a desktop computer xp/dsl verizon..however last summer during an electrical storm my ethernet connection/phone line was damaged and I called verizon and had to switch to using USB ports..been working great, no problems. I purchased a laptop and would like to use both computers w/ internet access at the same time. Am I able to use a 'router' with a USB connection or do I need to have ethernet connection? What can I do? Is there anyway around this? Please help..thanks

Fatal_Exception

Off the top of my head, I don't know of many USB enabled routers that would provide you with the access you need. But your problem is certainly not a hard one to resolve. Simply purchase a new NIC ($15) for your computer and go back to a true ethernet connection. Installing a new NIC is simplicity itself. You just open the case and plug it into a PCI slot, and start it up. XP will find the NIC and install the drivers for you (99% of the time). Now you will have the connection you need.

Next just get a Consumer Grade router (Linksys is the one I prefer) and connect everything up. This again is pretty much plug and play, but gets a little more complicated when using Wifi if you go that route.

FE

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Fatal_Exception