Webuser Forums: Networking newcomer – what I need to watch out for?

Hello all
1) I’ve read the stickys
2) I’ve searched the site
3) I’ve download and read MS Network Guide
4) Googled and read
I would like to network a new pc (awaiting delivery) to my three year old one.

Kit details (both employer part funded) follow but question is what are the glitch area’s I should watch for while trying to understand, and follow, all I’ve tried to read? What could trip me up?
Current pc
Dell Dimension 8400
Windows XP SP2 (fully updated)
ISP Pipex Solo 1000 1Mb ADSL – (for 3 years, quite happy)
Modem Speedtouch 330 (Pipex supplied – never any issues – very, very occasional drop)
Has BroadcomNetXtreme 57xx Gigabit Controller network adaptor (for what it means to me just now)
(Windows Firewall, AVG, Spybot & AdAware)

New (two days away from delivery)
Dell Inspiron 531 AMD X2 Processor 5000+ (2.60GHz,89W)
Windows Vista Home Premium
Memory Dual Channel 2GB (2x1024MG 667Mhz DDR2
320GB DataSafe (Raid) Hard drive
256MB ATI Radeon HD 260 XT Video Card
(requested with no modem)
(Oh, have external 80GB Hard Drive partitioned 50/30)

Located in small home office. Room for two towers. Current 15” screen to use for TV or DVD's(well thinking about it as have coaxial to room and use an external TV USB type thingy in old pc(?)). New 20” as main monitor. No need for wireless so will be cable.

Will set out to buy a router with modem included (which one - see below?).

That’s the intention folks but where could I trip up as a novice in doing this (the old hands experience tricks to watch for!) and what general product description should I look for in a router with modem and firewall.

That’s it folks, first post(wait in trepidation for getting told off for doing something wrong). Do buy mag (well wife does for me as works in newsagents – good eh. Says it’s my comic and keeps a near retired man quite!)

Solomon (but not yet wise)

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