which is faster,ethernet or usb

I have a cable modem and I was wondering if it would be any faster if I used the usb port instead of the ethernet connection, :blueconfused:

I've done both.  I"ve noticed absolutely no difference in speed.  Of course, the theoretical bandwidth of the USB is 1.1mbs and the Ethernet is 10mbs.

HRE, thanks for your help, I kinda figured it wouldn't help to go usb, because if it did that would be just to easy.

My bro always claims it helps, but he is a moron. lol.

For a cable or DSL modem it won't make any difference whatsoever. FWIW, you can use a 10BaseT card if you like and you wont see any difference. The bottleneck is your connection speed, not your networking hardware.

Ummm, I thought the max bandwidth for USB was 12 Mbps, the version number is 1.1.

Here's something to think about tho when choosing USB vs ethernet connection:  Connection Sharing.  With an ethernet cable modem, you can hook it up to a router/switch/hub and provide easy access to the internet for multiple PCs.  With a USB connection, you have to set up connection sharing on the PC that the USB modem is connected to.  And we all know that per Microsoft, Internet Connection Sharing does not work with certain games/applications.  I do believe they now make a router that does have a USB connection for connecting to a USB cable modem...  

My choice:  the ethernet cable modem.

(Edited by wskatana at 4:11 pm on Jan. 1, 2003)

you are prolly right about the 12mbs thing.  I dont know, I odn't really care.  I think the bottom line is that it doesn't go faster ewither way.  and yes, the etherne les you use a router to add more computers without paying for a second IP.

I dunno about the ICS thing. I had all kinds of problems with it under win98se but since I upgraded to XP Pro all the headaches have vanished. Just for the sake of reference, BF1942 was the only game I couldn't play with ICS on win98se and the only app I had trouble with were instant messaging apps not being able to send files. (With the notable exception of MSN messenger which worked fine)

I have adelphia cable, and I noteced a minor increase in speed when I pluged it into my nic.  Also with windows XP, cable modems don't work well, and they get all messed up sometimes.

I do have a question regarding this though... If you have cable, which has a static ip, is there a way to change it?

I always have to change my IP by unplugging my cable modem overnight. This works sometimes, other times it doesn't, for this method to work someone has to pick up your old IP address.

XP has given me some problems with networking in the past, both when connecting directly to the modem and when going through a router. However turning on 'automatically detect settings' has been able to fix this for me. I always thought this was only used to detect proxy servers (which my ISP doesnt have) but it must detect other settings as well.

ip's are dealt out by your provider.  why would you want to change it?  if you absolutely had to, i think the only way you'd be able to is by contacting your provider.

I get all of these stupid messenger pop up adds, and they are really starting to piss me off.

i'd be more concerned with finding a way to block them.  don't be a pussy and run away from them.

Those adds will find you no matter what IP you are using.  More than likely you have adware on your PC.  Try using a cleaner to get rid of all the spyware and crap.

As for changing IPs:  you can unplug your modem for a time greater than the default DHCP lease time or you can specify a new MAC address for your NIC/router as your cable providor generally divies out IPs based on MACs.  DHCP leases are also based on MAC addresses.

If ad-aware doesn't find anything you could always disable the windows messenger service. We had an issue with unwanted "ads" popping up in windows message boxes during the night and when we came in there would be like 30 of them. turn off the service they dissappear.