Ok, I know there are several posters out there who are technical, deal with computers and electronics on a regular basis...so, I'm taking a chance that someone can give me the lowdown on hooking my Playstation2 up to the internet so I can play online. Yes, I am aware there are probably better forums to discuss this in but, I don't want to join them and I consider folks here my friends. I also realize that quite possibly that I am the only one in this forum that likes to kill time shooting StromTroopers. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I currently have a Motorola Digital Cable modem hooked up to my computer...my question is how does this online play work? Do I really need a wireless router to hook up the playstation? Would the only benefit to it be that I didn't have to hook and unhook from the computer? How does that work? I consider myself pretty smart, but I don't want to have to buy something I really don't need.

Surely someone out there likes to kill some time with hand eye coordination that can help me?

Hmm. Tricky question. And in the interests of full disclosure, I work with tech services at work, but my skills run more towards library database management than this sort of thing. Personally, I'd imagine it'd be simpler to just play online games on your computer, considering that you already have the fast connection and the Playstation 2 is not really designed for online game play. (That's what the E3 will be for if Sony ever gets around to releasing it.)

That said, I found a few places for you to visit in your search for instructions:

http://www.computing.net/networking/wwwboard/forum/26778.html
http://www.computing.net/networking/wwwboard/forum/27914.html
http://eu.playstation.com/pdcf/index.jhtml

Good luck!

There should be a wired network jack on it. If it is one of the screwy ones that don't, you will need wireless. Hello, lagland.

Other than, sorry, couldn't tell you. Everything I've done as far as helpdesk-type work with various game consols and networks has been in an enviroment where they weren't able to be connected, sorry.

You'll want to get a router unless your cable modem has one built in. If the cable modem only has 1 network (RJ45) connection, this is very unlikely. You really should have a router anyway for security reasons, especially if you are reliant on the built-in XP firewall. If you aren't running ANY firewall, RUN, don't walk to your nearest Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Circuit City, etc. and buy a router. Next step if that's the case is to go through the process of making sure your machine isn't infected with any number of trojans, spyware, viruses, keyloggers, and zombie software. In fact, reinstalling from scratch might be in order. Not trying to scare... just trying to give a reality check. If you are running a Mac, probably not the case, but a router is still prudent.

Anyway, get a router so you can plug your computer and playstation into it at the same time. It's problematic switching the IP Address from your router between two machines.

Here's a decent writeup: http://ps2.ign.com/articles/368/368038p1.html

There's more to know, but that should get you started.