DSL hardware help

September 3, 2009 10:00 PM

I want to help my aunt get set up with DSL service. She has phone service with AT&T and DSL is available in her area. Her computer is an HP Pavillion that is about 6 yrs. old running XP. To avoid her having to pay AT&T's $200 fee for a tech to come out and get her going, what can I do from a hardware standpoint? Does DSL use an Ethernet port or a dial-up modem port? Should I buy her a DSL modem or will AT&T provide one? Sorry for these NooB questions as I've only dealt with cable Internet service. Thanks.
posted by jingo74 to computers & internet (7 comments total)

DSL uses an ethernet port. Make sure she has one. AT&T will mail a DSL modem, some plug-in phone line filters and an install cd. Put the filters on any phone lines that have telephones connected to them but not on the jack the DSL modem is connected to. Insert CD and click through the install. Voila!
posted by well_balanced at 10:08 PM on September 3

DSL is delivered over a pair of copper wires, much like your standard phone service, however DSL uses frequencies that generally don't overlap with the same frequencies that voice communications use. If the phone company or DSL provider has provisioned the phone line for service they should be able to tell you what modem to use and you should be able to buy one and do what is called a self install. This will typically involve setting up the modem, connecting it to a phone jack in the house that has dial tone for the number the DSL service was delivered on and installing dsl filters on the rest of the phone jacks in the house with phones attached to them which takes about 5 minutes total.

A DSL modem generally will interface with a computer or DSL router via ethernet or via a USB port. The process has come a very long way.

Generally if AT&T offers DSL service in an area, odds are someone else will too with a lower install/set up fee. Often you can buy install kits at best buy or the local electronics retailer that will have the modem and instructions on how to get set up with the service.
posted by iamabot at 12:03 AM on September 4

It's worth noting that AT&T won't just give you a modem; you'll pay for it, unless they're throwing it in as part of a bundle/long-term service contract. When I signed up with them a couple years ago, it cost $50.
posted by sinfony at 2:07 AM on September 4

It's possible a cheap DSL modem could use USB rather than ethernet.
posted by gjc at 6:02 AM on September 4

Most DSL modems I have seen come with both USB and Ethernet ports. DON"T use both - one or the other, please.

Ethernet is the better option in most cases. If needed an ethernet card for a desktop PC can be found for under $20 USD.
posted by KenManiac at 7:56 AM on September 4

In my experience, DSL works just like cable, except its delivered via a phone line instead of a coaxial cable. Just decline the in-home installation and get them to send you the modem. Plug it in (using the phone line filter if necessary), connect it to her PC, and follow any instructions they give you. I doubt you'll have any trouble.
posted by lholladay at 7:57 AM on September 4

well_balanced has it exactly - there is no need for a tech visit.

I would though say skip the install CD since you technically don't need that software. I called AT&T twice (2 different installs) after purchasing and receiving the equipment and told them I wanted the internet but didn't want all that crap on my machine so they easily walked me through (in about 10 minutes) how to do it.
posted by doorsfan at 8:15 AM on September 4