help with routers - please

[orlando]

My computer is seven years old - a top of the range model when it was bought. I'm now trying to set up a router - so I went on the web and bought a dynamode BR411NT because it had clear instructions on how to connect to a virgin cable modem. Followed instructions - it did not work. The system light would not move from "flashing" to "on all the time" as it was supposed to. Phoned virgin - they sent me a DIR-615(£50) which was easy to set up and worked until I switched every thing off. Next time it would not work - tried rebooting it and it did. So now I leave the modem and the router on all the time.
questions-
1. Do you have to have a virgin router for a virgin cable modem?
2. Is my computer a bit old to be trying to attach a router?
2. Is it usual practice to leave modem and/or router on all the time?

Any advice appreciated

Thanks

[pabscars]

Originally Posted by orlando

My computer is seven years old - a top of the range model when it was bought. I'm now trying to set up a router - so I went on the web and bought a dynamode BR411NT because it had clear instructions on how to connect to a virgin cable modem. Followed instructions - it did not work. The system light would not move from "flashing" to "on all the time" as it was supposed to. Phoned virgin - they sent me a DIR-615(£50) which was easy to set up and worked until I switched every thing off. Next time it would not work - tried rebooting it and it did. So now I leave the modem and the router on all the time.
questions-
1. Do you have to have a virgin router for a virgin cable modem?
No
2. Is my computer a bit old to be trying to attach a router?
No
2. Is it usual practice to leave modem and/or router on all the time?
Yes to make sure you get any necessary updates

Any advice appreciated

Thanks

[Rob]

Most people do leave their modem and router running 24/7. Generally that is for convenience siince they will have mulitple devices connected to the router and don't want to go back and forth booting up their network when they decide to log in somewhere. However there is nothing wrong with shutting them down when not in use. What is important is the boot up sequence needs to allow a bit of time - boot modem and let settle, boot router and let settle then boot PC.

When the devices boot up, if they do need updates, they will get them, eventually, but it may slow the boot process if they aren't current. To be honest modems and routers aren't updated very often unlike the software on your PC which may well get patched almost daily (especially for antivirus)

It does sound though as if you only have one computer and nothing else internet based in your home. If that is so, you don't really need a router.

[orlando]

Thanks for the advice - most helpful - I will now go and buy the laptop.