I have the basic NTL broadband set-up from a Pace STB via a crossover cable and USB adapter. This works great on any PC, just connect via USB and the internet is there without any special configuration. I would now like to upgrade to a router based wireless home network. Over three years ago when I first had broadband I would connect the crossover cable directly to the PC. This worked OK for Windows 95 PCs but only reluctantly for NT based PCs. That's why I switched to the USB adapter. Now if I try to connect with the network cable directly into my current PCs (XP Pro) no connection is available. I do have an old NTL CD with troubleshooting tools but I am reluctant to use these as they are pretty old and assumed to be obsolete.
I see most (or all) routers are connected via a network cable. My question is:- If I buy one of these routers and plug in my crossover cable with the router detect the broadband connection when the PC cannot ?
Probably I am missing a trick or two somewhere.
Any advice would be welcome.
Martin.