Hi,
Could anyone advise me on what I have to do if I currently have a broadband connection (all connected up and installed) in my home but my PC only seems to have a 56k modem installed.
Ie: Is there still a way I can connect to the internet on my PC via my broadband cable?
The connector on the back of my PC tower, where I would plug in the telephone cable, is too small for the larger broadband cable to connect to.
Maybe I need to buy a broadband modem, or can I just attach some sort of adapter? I would prefer to not have to buy a whole new modem. Don't mind buying a cheap adapter!
Thanks & regards,
Marc.

You need a Network Interface Card (NIC for short, sometimes people just call them 'network cards') installed in your computer

It looks like this:
http://img.ncix.com/gif/15706.JPG

Thanks,
So, if I buy this card I shouldn't need anything else.
Does it require much installation? Specifically opening up the tower and tinkering with the hardware?
Thanks again.
Marc.

You will have to open the case to install the card. Here are a couple of sites with intructions:
http://www.helpwithpcs.com/upgrading/install-pci-card.htm
http://www.dur.ac.uk/its/services/network/lan/install_network_card/

That's great. Thanks very much.

What makes you think you have a broadband connection? Generally, you suscribe to a service that provides such a connection. That service will provide you with a broadband modem that connects either to your cable TV cable or to a wall phone jack (depending on the type of broadband). From the modem you then connect into your PC or a router if you are sharing the connection.

If you don't have a broadband modem then why do you think you have broadband service?

It does sound like you might be living in a place that provides broadband for its tenants, hence the ethernet cable you seem to have. If that's the case, then you should be able to get a network card like Need showed and plug the Ethernet cable into it.

HI,
I do agree with the answer before mine.
Further, I would ask around where you live, find out the name of the company supplying you with this broadband service. Call their Customer Service Representative, and find out exactly what you have, and they will let you know exactly what you need to hook up to it. Best of luck.

Marc.Although you seem to have a cable box,that supplies your TV needs,you need to ask your cable company (they that supplied your cable box),if they also supply a broadband-internet service.They must do.Mine is Telewest.I have the cable box,modem,router,and my PC has my own Network Interface card.The Telewest engineer simply connected my PC,to the "external modem" box,which is connected to my cable box.Thus I can watch TV,and surf the internet,and make land-line phone calls,all at the same time,if I wanted to.With only an internal 56K "pci" modem,which is connected to your PC motherboard,you can only get dial-up internet,via the phone line.Even with an Network Interface card installed.As it stands,you cannot connect your PC to the cable box,and expect broadband internet.Even if you could find "a work around",you have to have a broadband account,the engineer has to come to your house,with all the "right gear" and switch the service on,then he/she will leave you a disc to install the necessary software on your PC.