Can I also connect via Dialup?

[lazy-susan]

I have a 5 year old laptop with XP. I use it for traveling to connect
to WIFI spots. Often I take it to a local WIFI spot to watch videos or
download stuff, because I can only get dialup internet at home (rural
area). For dialup I use my older desktop computer, running windows
2000.

There have been a few occasions that I have wanted to connect the laptop
computer to my dialup connection at home, but am afraid that if I
connect it to the dialup internet, I wont be able to use it for WIFI
anymore, because it will keep asking for the dialup connection, the same
way the computer keeps reminding me that I'm NOT CONNECTED (to
wireless), when I use it at home.

Is it possible to use both, without a big hassle and having to answer
lots of questions everytime I want to connect?
If yes, HOW?????

I'm not sure if there is a modem built into the laptop, but I have an
external serial port modem in the house that I can connect that to the
laptop.

 

[Paul]

I have a 5 year old laptop with XP. I use it for traveling to connect
to WIFI spots. Often I take it to a local WIFI spot to watch videos or
download stuff, because I can only get dialup internet at home (rural
area). For dialup I use my older desktop computer, running windows
2000.

There have been a few occasions that I have wanted to connect the laptop
computer to my dialup connection at home, but am afraid that if I
connect it to the dialup internet, I wont be able to use it for WIFI
anymore, because it will keep asking for the dialup connection, the same
way the computer keeps reminding me that I'm NOT CONNECTED (to
wireless), when I use it at home.

Is it possible to use both, without a big hassle and having to answer
lots of questions everytime I want to connect?
If yes, HOW?????

I'm not sure if there is a modem built into the laptop, but I have an
external serial port modem in the house that I can connect that to the
laptop.

There's this idea, but perhaps someone knows of a better one.

HOW TO: Set Up Hardware Profiles for Laptop Computers in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308577

The profiles are selected at boot time. When the laptop boots,
you'd get a chance to select one of N profiles. When a particular
profile is running, you'd go into Device Manager, and disable
the hardware device you don't want to hear from. In that way,
*maybe* the related network options would be unavailable
and would stop pestering you.

So in one profile, Wifi would still be enabled in Device Manager,
and the dialup modem disabled in Device Manager. And in the
other hardware profile, Wifi would be disabled in Device Manager,
and the dialup modem remain enabled.

That's not saving a lot of work, because you could just use
Device Manager and disable the thing you don't want to hear from.

*******

And if you're clever at "automation" and know how to make
a shortcut on the desktop, you could even make icons to
turn the hardware on and off. There is a tool called "devcon.exe",
which is the equivalent of Device Manager. It is a command
line utility. You'd make a shortcut, with the appropriate options
to turn a particular hardware device on or off. There are
more details on devcon here. I think the .exe file you
download from this page, is a self extracting ZIP file.
And the file you want to save, is in the i386 folder of the ZIP.
(If you actually needed a 64 bit version, the Itanium one in that
file is not the one you want for that. They conveniently forgot
to add the x64 version of devcon, to that web page.) Chances
are, you'll be using the i386 one, which is for 32 bit OSes.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q311272

In terms of commands, you use the Command Prompt window to experiment.

devcon hwids * > my_hardware_list.txt

That will list all the Device Manager hardware, and store the
result in a text file "my_hardware_list.txt". You can open that
file with Notepad and scroll through it.

In there I see this entry. This is my dialup modem.

ROOT\MODEM\0001
name: U.S. Robotics 56K FAX EXT
Hardware ID's:
unimodem814f7c2e

The reason it's a unimodem, is there is no driver available
from US Robotics for that vintage of modem. The OS has a
generic modem solution called unimodem, and that's what I
ended up using.

If I wanted to disable the modem, then it would be something like

devcon disable unimodem814f7c2e

Then I'd fire up Device Manager and verify the status of
the modem, showed it's now disabled.

Next, I'd make a couple shortcuts, and use the commands
I'd just perfected in my Command Prompt session. There
would be a different shortcut for each of these commands.

devcon disable unimodem814f7c2e
devcon enable unimodem814f7c2e

Your modem (or Wifi) will have a different ID than anything
I have here. That's why you're doing the "devcon hwids..."
step above, to get the names of all the hardware in the computer.

You could also put those devcon commands in a batch file.
The file would have two lines, one to disable Wifi and enable
dialup. And another file with the opposite of that.

Anyway, that would be an alternative to hardware profiles.
And once you'd set up a shortcut, you'd just double click
on the shortcut, to change the hardware settings. (It
saves on opening Device Manager, and changing the setting.)

My desktop doesn't have Wifi, so I have no clue what the
naming convention for a Wifi hardware ID looks like.

Paul

 

[David H. Lipman]

I have a 5 year old laptop with XP. I use it for traveling to connect
to WIFI spots. Often I take it to a local WIFI spot to watch videos or
download stuff, because I can only get dialup internet at home (rural
area). For dialup I use my older desktop computer, running windows
2000.

There have been a few occasions that I have wanted to connect the laptop
computer to my dialup connection at home, but am afraid that if I
connect it to the dialup internet, I wont be able to use it for WIFI
anymore, because it will keep asking for the dialup connection, the same
way the computer keeps reminding me that I'm NOT CONNECTED (to
wireless), when I use it at home.

Is it possible to use both, without a big hassle and having to answer
lots of questions everytime I want to connect?
If yes, HOW?????

I'm not sure if there is a modem built into the laptop, but I have an
external serial port modem in the house that I can connect that to the
laptop.

Going to a WiFi hotspot is the problem. There is no problem in mixing Dial-up (DUN) with
WiFi.

WiFi HotSpots are unsafe computing environments.

I suggest you stop going to WiFi HotSpots and get a 3G/4G wireless broadband device or
MiFi.

A 3G/4G wireless broadband device is basically a cell phone coupled with a modem but is
not used for talking is used for a DUN over the cellular network. This cellular broadband
device either connects via a PCMCIA card or via a USB port. The MiFi device takes it a
step further in that it is a self contained device but add a WiFi Router. This all you
have to do is carry the MiFi along with your notebook and the notebook connects to the
MiFi through WiFi and the MiFi connects to the Internet via cellular 3G/4G network.

You may find that it is also FASTER than the trditional DUN over Plain Old Telephone
System (POTS) lines.

 

[David H. Lipman]

There's this idea, but perhaps someone knows of a better one.

Yes, I supplied a better one...

Yours doesn't even approach the insecurity of using WiFi HotSpots which is inherently
insecure and should be avoided.

 

[Paul in Houston TX]

Going to a WiFi hotspot is the problem. There is no problem in mixing Dial-up (DUN) with
WiFi.

WiFi HotSpots are unsafe computing environments.

I suggest you stop going to WiFi HotSpots and get a 3G/4G wireless broadband device or
MiFi.

A 3G/4G wireless broadband device is basically a cell phone coupled with a modem but is
not used for talking is used for a DUN over the cellular network. This cellular broadband
device either connects via a PCMCIA card or via a USB port. The MiFi device takes it a
step further in that it is a self contained device but add a WiFi Router. This all you
have to do is carry the MiFi along with your notebook and the notebook connects to the
MiFi through WiFi and the MiFi connects to the Internet via cellular 3G/4G network.

You may find that it is also FASTER than the trditional DUN over Plain Old Telephone
System (POTS) lines.

Is it free and can I connect where there is no cell service?

 

[micky]

I have a 5 year old laptop with XP. I use it for traveling to connect
to WIFI spots. Often I take it to a local WIFI spot to watch videos or
download stuff, because I can only get dialup internet at home (rural
area). For dialup I use my older desktop computer, running windows
2000.

There have been a few occasions that I have wanted to connect the laptop
computer to my dialup connection at home, but am afraid that if I
connect it to the dialup internet, I wont be able to use it for WIFI
anymore, because it will keep asking for the dialup connection, the same
way the computer keeps reminding me that I'm NOT CONNECTED (to
wireless), when I use it at home.

Is it possible to use both, without a big hassle and having to answer
lots of questions everytime I want to connect?
If yes, HOW?????

I'm not sure if there is a modem built into the laptop, but I have an
external serial port modem in the house that I can connect that to the
laptop.

I don't have experience with this (though the question has occurred to
me too, for places where there is no wifi.) , and I don't know if it
would be easy or hard, but on the chance that it would be easy,
wouldn't it be worth trying it once and seeing how hard/easy it is?

Even if it takes some time, surely it won't be impossible to get back
to the setup you have now, so that seems like the worst possibility.
The best one woudl be that it turns out to be easy.


Also, separte, i'm not sure why you want to connect the laptop at home
to the dial up, but perhaps it would be suitable to continue to use
the home computer to connect to the net, and then to transfer the
files from that computer to the laptop. I know there is some clever
way to do that with two XP computers, using iirc a null cable of some
sort,, but I don't know how hard it is at the end with the 2000
computer.


Second hand XP computers, including those removed in bulk from
companies that are upgrading, somplete with the operating system, are
under 200 dollars iirc now, as litttle as 100 at hamfests, if any are
near you . I know they are sold online, and that some vendors are
reliable, but I don't shop enough to recommend one. I don't like it
when othr people tell me to spend money as a solution, but this might
be a time to do so.

 

[micky]

Second hand XP computers, including those removed in bulk from
companies that are upgrading, somplete with the operating system, are
under 200 dollars iirc now, as litttle as 100 at hamfests, if any are

Actually I think prices are substantially lower than what I just said,
but I haven't time now to search.

 

[lazy-susan]

Also, separte, i'm not sure why you want to connect the laptop at home
to the dial up, but perhaps it would be suitable to continue to use
the home computer to connect to the net, and then to transfer the
files from that computer to the laptop. I know there is some clever
way to do that with two XP computers, using iirc a null cable of some
sort,, but I don't know how hard it is at the end with the 2000
computer.

Actually all the files are transferred to the home computer, which has
around 350 gigs of drive space, unlike the laptop which has 40 gigs.
Not to mention that the small screens on a laptop are hard to read, and
the sound is horrid. My home computer has a large screen and is
connected to my stereo.

Sure, older computers that will run XP are cheap, but I much prefer
Win2000 and Win98 over XP. I have both of those on my desktop system,
and the older computer works just fine for our needs. We're dont live
to go on a computer. It's just a tool that comes in handy at times. No
games are played. This old machine does just fine to store photos, do
email, and go on the web. There is no way in hell that we'd even want
one of these new computers with an OS higher than XP.

 

[lazy-susan]

Going to a WiFi hotspot is the problem. There is no problem in mixing Dial-up (DUN) with
WiFi.

WiFi HotSpots are unsafe computing environments.

I suggest you stop going to WiFi HotSpots and get a 3G/4G wireless broadband device or
MiFi.

A 3G/4G wireless broadband device is basically a cell phone coupled with a modem but is
not used for talking is used for a DUN over the cellular network. This cellular broadband
device either connects via a PCMCIA card or via a USB port. The MiFi device takes it a
step further in that it is a self contained device but add a WiFi Router. This all you
have to do is carry the MiFi along with your notebook and the notebook connects to the
MiFi through WiFi and the MiFi connects to the Internet via cellular 3G/4G network.

You may find that it is also FASTER than the trditional DUN over Plain Old Telephone
System (POTS) lines.

I didn't ask this question for a speech about security. I could care
less about security, particularly when most of the so called "malware"
is just made up lies created by these companies that sell anti-virus
software so they can steal people's money.

Besides that, when I go to a WIFI spot, I go there to watch videos on
youtube, which is not any real risk. When we travel, we get our email
and get weather reports. Not too risky!!! Apparently you must go to
all the porn and warez sites if you're so worried about security.

As far as the cellphone, they cost money. We are not interested in
them, especially when they cost a fortune to have, and on our farm we
cant even get cellphone service. Cellphones are for the 20 year old
kids who live in the big cities, not us rural elders. My cellphone is a
prepaid phone that only makes calls, and is only used for emergencies,
or a quick call to the relatives when we are travelling.

So far, I've gotten 7 replys to my message and no one has yet answered
my question, as how to connect both with WIFI and dialup.

 

[glee]

I didn't ask this question for a speech about security. I could care
less about security, particularly when most of the so called "malware"
is just made up lies created by these companies that sell anti-virus
software so they can steal people's money.

Besides that, when I go to a WIFI spot, I go there to watch videos on
youtube, which is not any real risk. When we travel, we get our email
and get weather reports. Not too risky!!! Apparently you must go to
all the porn and warez sites if you're so worried about security.

As far as the cellphone, they cost money. We are not interested in
them, especially when they cost a fortune to have, and on our farm we
cant even get cellphone service. Cellphones are for the 20 year old
kids who live in the big cities, not us rural elders. My cellphone is
a
prepaid phone that only makes calls, and is only used for emergencies,
or a quick call to the relatives when we are travelling.

So far, I've gotten 7 replys to my message and no one has yet answered
my question, as how to connect both with WIFI and dialup.

As for Wi-Fi and Dial-up, they are totally separate. You can have wi-fi
access when you are in town, and set up a dial-up connection at home.
After you have set up your dial-up connection via the home modem, go to
Control Panel> Internet Options> Connection tab, select the dial-up
connection you created, then click either "Dial whenever a network
connection is not present" or Never dial a connection". If you choose
the latter, you can create a DUN shortcut on the desktop so that you can
manually dial when needed.

No offense, but you are totally wrong, and clueless, about the issue of
computer security and malware. We are concerned about security because
we see everyday how clueless users are infected and don't even know it.
It's not warez and porn sites.... most of the infections I clean for
clients are from Java and Flash exploits (Flash is what is running those
YouTube videos you think are so safe, Java runs many online games).
Drive-by malware installs mostly via malicious scripts running in web
page advertising that appears on legitimate sites such as Yahoo, ESPN
and countless others.... nothing to do with porn or warez.

I have never installed a paid anti-virus app on any home computer. Free
anti-virus apps like Avast or Microsoft Security Essentials are just as
good. Your claim that malware is made up by AV companies to make money
is ludicrous, and free anti-virus apps don't make any money for anyone.
The money is made by the malware writers all over the world who make a
good living stealing the banking and credit card info of unsuspecting
and clueless computer users who think they don't need protection.