from your post i'm guessing that the 750k line is connected directly to one pc (the host) & then the 2nd pc (the client) is connected to it (the host)? If not please describe exactly how the pc's are connected to your isp.

also, how is the client pc connected to the host pc?

Thanks for the response. The host PC is connected via USB modem, the client is connected using (terminology fails me!!) a cat 5 (peer to peeer?) connection. Does this help??

Thanks

Steven

ok so u've got a 750K USB modem connected to the host pc via a usb cable & the host pc connects to the client pc via a cat-5 cable (aka an rj-45, rj-45 patch, patch, ethernet or network cable), correct?

thats really not the best solution bcs the host has to maintain focus on both a software oriented connection (usb) & a hardware oriented connection (network interface card (NIC) in the pc connected to the cat-5 cable); most of the time its not an issue & can work quite well, but it can be quite difficult to troubleshoot when things arent workin, which can get REALLY involved.

does the 750K usb cm also have an rj-45 opening on it?

(for reference trace the cat-5 cable to where it plugs into either 1 of the pc's & unplug the wire to take a look @ the port - ur looking for the same kind of port to be on the (back?) of the modem)

what i'd like u to do is to to connect each computer directly to the usb modem and see if there's any difference in the speed, & if so, what r the speeds that ur seeing (whenever u switch whats connected to the modem u have to power down (not hibernate) the modem before u make the change & power it up after u've made the change)

preferrably i'd like to c u connect each pc to the modem by using the cat-5 connection if both pc's have them, otherwise use the usb connection.

i need to know the following b4 we can get this fixed:

1) does the modem have the rj-45 (cat-5) connector on it?
2) can you connect each pc, 1 @ a time, directly to the modem using the same port (ie, can you connect each pc, once again 1 @ a time, directly to the modem using either the usb connection, or, preferrably, the cat-5 connection)?
3) assuming that u were able to complete 2) above, was there an appreciable difference in speed?

ok, let me know this much & we'll go from there - good luck!

thanks for this. The modem does have a RJ45, however, the host has only 1 rj45 connection, currently being used to link to the laptop. Individually the internet speeds are fine. There is a huge difference on the client when connected directly.

Do you think this is something rectifiable? If not someone has suggested a hub would work beter, is this the case?

thanks for your help on this :-)

dont get a hub but i would recommend that you get a home/small office router which run from $50 or so for a wired LAN setup (where your using the ethernet cables - u may need to get 1 more cable routers dont typically come with one), to around $80 or so if u want to go wireless (plus a wireless adapter for the laptop, around $40 on sale). btw, thats why i had u check connection speeds directly to c if it was an issue w/the laptop itself - glad there wasnt one! hth!

I'll need to wait for the laptop, but will post shortly.