Myterrific cousin blessed me with an Dell Optiplex GX260 pc which is great with windows XP etc, a far cry from my1999,PC World tired andexpensive at the time, windows 2000 (that I intended to last me for life)

Heretreived it from his workplace when they were upgrading and typical office computer there is no access to the internetor DVD facility.

My kind relative did say that he would come along a few weeks after he haddropped off the pc and insert something into the back of the pc which was accessible by a flick of a button at the side of the dell where a draw at the back would fly open.

This would enable me to access the internet when he had inserted and fitted this component. Needless to say I am still waiting a few months later.

But what was he on about? I desperately need the internet on my Dell asmy old pcis becoming increasingly unstable.

I tried to figure it out from the Dell website but I think my knowledge of computer components and computer speak has been left in 1999 and I am still lost.

I am sure that I would have to pay for technical advice which I am avoiding at the moment

Please advise.

Ur What!!!!

The computer is not capable of connecting to any service provider at the moment it requires the mechanism to make this possible.

I need to know what that mechanism is so thatthe computercan get internet full stop.

Cheers!

You need free Ethernet or USB port on your computer, you would then plug an Ethernet or USB cable into one of those ports and connect the other end of it to a broadband modem. It really is very simple.

If you don't have any spare Ethernet or USB ports, then you will need a hub of some sort, so that you can get more devices connected to your computer. In that case you would have to install the hub on a port, and then plug back in the device(s) to the hub, your conntection to the modem would be made through the hum connected to your computer.

In the attachment (don't know if you can see it), you can see USB ports on the left, and the left of the two ports on the right is an Ethernet port, th eother port is a regular modem port for connecting to a analog telephone modem (really slow internet access).

Hope this helps.

Loveall I don't know about the particular DellPC you mentioned but in order to connect to the internet you would require an ISP (Internet Service Provider).

You'd also require a Cable or ASDL (sp) modem. The latter requires a phone connection, that is a working telephone line, (which also means you'd need a modem port on your PC where you can connect that line to),a usb or ethernet connection on yourPC and an externalmodem also with the said ports. Thismodem is usually provided at the installation stageby your ISP.

For cable connection you'd also require either a usb or ethernet ports on yourPC and an externalmodem again from your ISP.

You'd also need a CDROM/RW drive, (possibly a DVDROM/RW) and an internal modem card if using the asdl method.

If your PC meets these requirements, yournext stepis then to shop around for an ISP, such as talk talk, pippex or BT for asdl and VirginMedia, (formerly NTL/Telewest), for Cable.

Incidentally the majority of asdl connections go through a BT phone line. This means you end up payingline rentalto BT anda (usually) monthly rate to your ISP.

Once you have an ISP they will usually provide you with the external hardware and software, usually a CD. Follow thier instructions and you should be able to connect to the internet.

Since you alreadyhave XP you should be able to get the internet easilyprovided you have the necessary ports on your PC.

If you are not sure if yourPC has these ports or is capable of holding them why not take pictures of it from as many angles as possible, (especially front and back), and take it to a Computer store who shouldbe able to help you determine whether yourPC can accomodate them. They may be also help you with any other problem you have. That way you needn't have to fork out until you are sure your PC can connect to the internet.

*Fogot to add there is also terrestial ISP's such asSky but last heard they are very expensive.

Thank you all for the great advice.

I am aware of the role of ISP's, goodness knows I have argued with enough of them. The next thing is to find a highly recommended local computer fix it man/shop.

I shall be doing a bit of shopping around and getting quotes.

Any further advice is gratefully accepted.

Peace and Blessings!