[help] How to get internet on my mac mini

Ok so I have a mac mini with airport extreme/bluetooth biult in but there is only one computer in the house with internet and it's a windows pc, I have been confused for a while now so i justy want toknow how to get broadband on my mac mini

#349152

Get a Wireless Router (i use linksys). Then connect the router to ur internet modem and let the sharing begins

#349153

So would you need an external modem with two usb ports ?

#349154

uhm! what kind of internet are you using? (dial or cable or adsl)

#349155

Assuming you want the mac mini to have wireless access, you need a router to make a network within your home.

Linksys makes some good ones, I use them and they work for Macs and PC's.

#349187

it is an external broadband modem so basicily all i need is a new modem because it only has one usb port and a router?

#349195

no. like millenium said, you need a wireless router. that will split the signal between wired and wireless so your parents can have their wired pc and you can have your wireless mini.

#349208

I have been looking and would it be possible to plug the modem into a wireless router and then a usb reciver in my parents computer and then i could pick up the signal from the router on my mini

#349241

Yup! thats what im talking about, You can use the Ethernet Cable to connect to PC instead of USB Cable

#349270

Here's what you should do: first get a router that has both wired and wireless capabilities (say, the WRT54GS) and have the signal path like this:

Cable -->> Cable Modem --Ethernet>> Wireless Router --Wireless>> Mac mini

AND Wireless Router --Ethernet>> Windows PC

#349271

ya know, as i think about this and what j-unior is asking, it makes me think...

i think that there's some cable modems that don't have ethernet but use 'ethernet-over-usb', sort of like peer-to-peer, but slower.

j-unior: is this what you're saying and why you keep bringing up usb? and i have to ask: you do know the difference between ethernet and usb, right?

#349288

Ok im getting to confused now

#353518

usb is the metal recangular plug thats longer than it is wide. An ethernet cable looks similar to a phone cord, but more connections on the plug.

#353610

If you already have a usb modem (ie. phone line-> Modem-> USBcable-> PC, which I think you do) you need to

1) enable ICS (internet connection sharing) on the pc

2) connect the pc to the Mac

a)via a ethernet crossover cable

b)by wireless network (you would need to give the pc wireless capability)

Now you Mac will be able to share your internet connection with the PC, the problem is that for this to work you need to always have your PC on and connected to the internet..

Alterantively- just buy a new modem/router combination.

This combination will connect to the internet (modem) and create a home-network that your computers can connnect to (router). Through this network all your computers will have access to the internet connection. As well as having a wired network these combinations can also have a wireless which you could connect your Mac to.

This option will be more expensive but will eventually be more hassle-free

#353613

thanks for this im clear now and yes i do reliise what a usb cable is thanks, im 14 but I'm not stupid

#354385

thanks for all of your help, im now talking to you through my mac. In the end i bought a NETGEAR modem/router and conected it to the main phone line in the house then from there it was well.........easy

#356232

Glad to see you got it working.

#356266