VeeshanVault

Ok, I did a pretty big system upgrade, new motherboard, processer, Ram, hard drive and went windows XP, basically it's a brand new system, What I'm stumped about is how I am able to be on the internet without loading any of my verizon DSL software, I have the router and modem attached of course but why was I able to get access as soon as XP was loaded???? for that matter how were all of the drivers for my video card and sound card loaded without me doing the install? is this a function of XP? I just checked and my family's computers all have access too. If anyone could give me an explanation I'd truly appreciate it.


Thanks!!

DHCP! Your PC got an IP from the router and out you went!

Someone else will provide more technical details I'm sure.

And there were basic drivers installed as part of the XP install. Your MB should have came with a drivers/utilities disc. I would use what's on that.

WinXP comes bundled with basic drivers for most common hardware setups. These drivers are usually not the newest (or best) so it would be a good idea to update them from the vendors' web sites.

As for the Verizon software.. well don't know about Verizon but most of the time the software different ISPs give you are just fluff and pork. Verizon has done the settings on their side so the connection is live, and WinXP looks for LAN connections automatically if I recall correctly. The modem and router are basically all Verizon sees so you didn't do any changes for what they care, and the WinXP box uses a normal LAN connection to see the router and use the IP address assigned through DHCP to you to access the internet.

Now, I am not really good at explaining things so this might be nothing more than babble

yup, what they said. Your ISP apparently allocates IP addresses via DHCP, and all they *may* check is what hardware address (MAC address) your network card is defined as.

Generally the DSL or cable software is crap. The only place I've seen it required is on some old DSL networks back in Connecticut that required user ID / password authentication on startup.