How to connect 2 computers to INTERNET independently?

Hello everybody,

I am on a mission to find out how to properly connect 2 computers to the same Internet "pipeline" (cable Internet - provider: Videotron - Canada) in an independent fashion so that when I shut down one computer, I do not lose the phone lines and my wife's computer still gets an Internet connection to the outside world.

We are using Windows 7, the computers are brand new and the Internet connection is strong, but the moment I shut down my computer, within 5 minutes my wife computer will lose her Internet line and the phones will die.

I am at a loss as to how to solve this since I have tried all combinations, permutations, you name it and nothing seems to work.

Could it be my Internet provider's fault or am I doing something wrong when I connect everything to the router.

Items:

2 computers, 1 tab, 2 Iphones

1 Linksys router

1 modem from Videotron (the Internet provider)

Windows 7 - x64

Please help me solve this conundrum. I know that I need a fresh take from A-Z, on how I should be doing things so the network works regardless of either computers being on or off.

Thank you kindly for your support.

G.

Using a standard router with DHCP enabled should be all you need. You may need to add a switch if you want connections in other rooms. The switch would need to be connected to the router by using an Ethernet cable.

A router with both wired and wireless Ethernet is probably best. The other computers being on or off won't matter with this type of network, that only applies if you are using ICS "internet connection sharing".

So, if I get you right... all I need to do is

1. Get back home.
2. Turn both PCs off.
3. Rewire the network into the router.
4. Turn everything back on and disable the Internet connection sharing and I will then be able to have a network where any of the two computers can be shut down without affecting the Internet connection???????

Feel free to elaborate on this even if you feel that you've said enough.

It may just be that I am missing a detail that makes all the difference for my Home network.

Much obliged to you for your valuable input.

Cheers,

G.

Yes, just plug the modem and wait a minute or two then connect the modem's Ethernet cable to the router's WAN port, plug in the router and wait a minute or two.

The lights on the router will go through a sequence and then stop. After that just plug the machines into the routers other LAN ports.

You can use the directions included with the router for the exact sequence they call for as far as plugging in and waiting. It's not something you can mess up very easily. No need to worry about if one machine is turned on first when using a router. Using ICS isn't worth the hassle.