What Do You Need?
Before you subscribe to a broadband service, there are some basic technology issues to consider. They will help you get the best performance from your computer.
Firstly, whilst we would encourage you to acquire the most modern specification computer you can afford, there is a minimum specification for your computer to work successfully.
For a PC running Microsoft Windows, the approximate minimum specification for connecting to broadband is:
- Operating system: Microsoft Windows 98/98SE/ME/2000/XP/Vista
- Processor speed: 266 MHz minimum
- (400Mhz recommended)
- RAM: 64MB minimum (128MB recommended)
- One free USB or Ethernet port
- 4x CD-ROM drive (if there is software to install)
- 150MB free hard-drive space.
However, you should check this beforehand, since the specification changes from one internet service provider (ISP) to another. The most important point to remember is that old PCs running Microsoft Windows 95 were not even designed to connect to the Internet, so they are not likely to support a broadband connection. Many of them lack the required Ethernet or USB ports.
Secondly, depending on the type of access you are going to use you will need the following.
DSL: A standard telephone line.
Wireless: Unless your premises is very close to the base station, a place on the outside of your building on which to mount an antenna. Whilst the type of antenna is different, the principle is much the same as for a television aerial.
You will also need an appropriate power supply.