Computer Question...PC To A Mac...

[jumpnblues]

...I'm thinking of changing my music room computer (2nd or basement home computer) to a Power Mac G-4 because I have a dedicated dual processor Power Mac G-5 for my Protools studio, and it would be easier to download updates to the G-4 then download them to the G-5. I've had a few problems trying to download updates for the recording software on my Mac G-5 on my Dell PC and then to the Mac.
OK, my music room or downstairs (home/family) computer, as I stated, is a Dell. I want to switch my Dell downstairs home/family computer over to my Mac G-4 (my old recording computer) and then use it as my downstairs home/family computer, as well as use it to download recording software updates for my Mac G-5 dedicated recording computer. Currently, I'm running a Dell upstairs that is networked to my Dell downstairs.
Now my question...What steps are involved in switching my downstairs Dell (that is networked to my upstairs Dell) to the Mac G-4? I'm on DSL and have a "networking box" (forget what you call them). Do I need to download any networking software to the Mac G-4? Will I be able to download it to a Mac? Will I need to get a Mac compatible CD/driver to download the networking software? Will I need to download any DSL/internet software since the Mac G-4 has never been connected to the internet? I'm not computer illiterate but I'm not very computer savvy either and I appreciate your help. Maybe I'm making this more difficult than it really is? Thank you.

Tom

[ibobunot]

Originally Posted by jumpnblues

Maybe I'm making this more difficult than it really is? Thank you.

Yeah, I got dizzy just reading that.....

You don't need any extra hardware or software it's all in the Mac.

Mac OS X: Troubleshooting a DSL Internet connection

[chriscrob]

It sounds like what you need is a wireless router+wifi adapter for the mac. Why not just connect the G5 to the internet when you need to download updates?

As far as connecting the G4 to the internet it shouldn't be a problem.

[Tdot]

Originally Posted by jumpnblues

I want to switch my Dell downstairs home/family computer over to my Mac G-4 (my old recording computer) and then use it as my downstairs home/family computer, as well as use it to download recording software updates for my Mac G-5 dedicated recording computer.

Okay, you have PC#1(internet) and a G5(no internet) downstairs. Also PC#2(internet) upstairs. And a spare G4(no internet). This sounds like you have two PC's connected to the DSL gateway (router) with network cables (RJ45). And the two Mac's are not connected to the gateway.

Now my question...What steps are involved in switching my downstairs Dell (that is networked to my upstairs Dell) to the Mac G-4?

Something to consider- a broadband connection (DSL, Cable) can support a group of computers. You could leave both PC's, and add the G4 to the DSL gateway. So you would have 3 computers with internet access. All Mac's have built-in network (ethernet) cards. In fact you could add the G5 too, this would give you internet access for Apple Software Updates for OSX, and any other downloads you need without jumping from one machine to the other.

I'm on DSL and have a "networking box" (forget what you call them).

Router, gateway, switch, hub?

Do I need to download any networking software to the Mac G-4?

No, it's built into MacOS. Look for the Internet Setup Assistant, it's like a Windows Wizard to walk you through.

Will I be able to download it to a Mac?

No need.

Will I need to get a Mac compatible CD/driver to download the networking software?

No.

Will I need to download any DSL/internet software since the Mac G-4 has never been connected to the internet?

No.

I'm not computer illiterate but I'm not very computer savvy either and I appreciate your help. Maybe I'm making this more difficult than it really is?

[jumpnblues]

"Maybe I'm making this more difficult than it really is?"


Uhhh, I guess so. OK, one more question...If I want to connect the G-5 (dedicated recording computer) to the internet, but only when I need updates, is there a "switchbox" of some kind where I can just flip a switch and the computer is internet ready and then disconnect from DSL when I don't want to be connected? Don't forget DSL is always connected to the internet as long as it's plugged in. Thanks for all yer helpzez.

Tom

[Tdot]

Originally Posted by jumpnblues

OK, one more question...If I want to connect the G-5 (dedicated recording computer) to the internet, but only when I need updates, is there a "switchbox" of some kind where I can just flip a switch and the computer is internet ready and then disconnect from DSL when I don't want to be connected? Don't forget DSL is always connected to the internet as long as it's plugged in.

That's one of the very cool things about having a wireless card (Airport) in your computer. You can turn the card on/off whenever you want, right from the Menu Bar at the top of the screen. In fact that's how I have my G5 Dual set up (and PowerBook).

But guessing that you don't have a wireless gateway or router, you can unplug the cable, or turn off your connection through System Prefences (under the blue Apple in the Menu Bar), there is probably a short cut or some freeware widget to do it in one click.

[J-man]

Originally Posted by jumpnblues

"Maybe I'm making this more difficult than it really is?"


Uhhh, I guess so. OK, one more question...If I want to connect the G-5 (dedicated recording computer) to the internet, but only when I need updates, is there a "switchbox" of some kind where I can just flip a switch and the computer is internet ready and then disconnect from DSL when I don't want to be connected? Don't forget DSL is always connected to the internet as long as it's plugged in. Thanks for all yer helpzez.

Tom

Just Pull the Ethernet cable out the G5!

[jumpnblues]

OK, last question (maybe)...I have my Ethernet router upstairs and a cable ran to the downstairs Dell PC, so is there a junction/splitter box I can buy to connect both the downstairs Dell PC and the dedicated Mac G-5 recording computer to the router? Thanks again.

Tom

[chriscrob]

A router should allow you to connect both of them. You may mean your DSL hookup. If thats what you're talking about then a router is what you need. You plug the ethernet cable from your DSL into the router and the router will have a few (lotsa times its 4) ethernet out jacks where you can plug ethernet cables to both the downstairs dell and the upstairs G5.

[jumpnblues]

Chris,

The router is upstairs and the G-5 is downstairs. There is only one cable connecting the router upstairs with the Dell PC and (eventually) the G-5 downstairs. I guess I could run another cable from the router to downstairs, but that's kind of a minor PIA. I just thought if I could plug the cable from the router into a "junction box" of some kind downstairs that has 2 or more spots to plug additional computers it might be easier that way. And I wouldn't have to plug and unplug a cable into the G-5 each time I wanted to download something. Am I thinking right on this or is there a better way?

Tom

[tdu]

People have mentioned it, but if you want to avoid cables etc., some type of wireless setup would be best. You'd need an Airport card for the G5.

I guess I am not getting the question, but the 'junction box' you refer to would just be a router? Unless you go wireless, if you want computers upstairs and downstairs to have access, you will need to run cables somewhere.....

[Tdot]

Junction Box? Lets take a terminology break for a minute. Many terms are used interchangebly because they mean similar things. Some folks are very specific, other mix them up freely when identifying "boxes".

These aren't technical definitions but it might help us understand each other better.

First: RJ45, ethernet, and network cables are the same thing.

DSL modem = your DSL (phone) line goes into this box, and one network cable comes out to your computer.

Router = you can plug the network cable from the DSL modem into this box to split the line out to provide internet access for several computers.

DSL router = both devices above combined in one box.

Hub = connects multiple computers on a local area network (not internet).

Switch = like a hub, but smarter, it can identify where data is coming from and where it needs to go, then send it directly to a specific computer. So a switch is faster than a hub.

Today wireless DSL routers are becoming more common because prices have dropped and they are easy to use (since you don't have to run that PIA cable from upstairs to downstairs). I love getting rid of cables.

I used to be set up with a DSL modem >>RJ45>> connected to an Airport Base Station >>wireless signal>> to (Airport card) G5 tower. When I moved out of DSL service range, now I have a Cable modem >>RJ45>> D-Link Wireless Router >>wireless signal>> to (Airport card) G5 tower. Just to point out that a Mac works fine with non-Apple products. Also, my wife uses an RJ45 cable to connect her PC laptop to the same wireless D-Link router I'm using.

Okay back to our project.

[ibobunot]

I've been running Airport wireless for seven years on seven computers two of them are windows computers.

cables are a pain....

Does your router have a PC card slot?

Wireless PCMCIA Adapters are cheap...

[Tdot]

Did we make any sense yet?

If you've given any thought to wireless, here's the best price that I've ever seen on the card that goes in the G5.

Airport Extreme Card $45 and free shipping.

[jumpnblues]

I'm goin' wireless. What will it cost aside from the wireless card?

Tom

[Tdot]

It sounds like the only thing you need is a wireless router (in the center of this diagram).



This is how mine is set up:

Blue = USB
Green = RJ45
Orange = wireless
Black = DSL line

Upstairs I have the Modem, wireless router, wifes notebook/inkjet, laser printer. Downstairs I have my G5 tower, inkjet. And my PowerBook goes everywhere. Also with this layout, any computer can print to the LaserJet.