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darvon
BCS Neutral
Joined: 28 Feb 2004
Posts: 5326
Location: Detroit
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 Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2008 7:29 pm Post subject: Tricky Wireless problem |
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I want to put an old computer in the guest bedroom and hook it up to the net.
It doesn't have wireless capability and it is running Windows 98 and I don't have any of the disks.
I tried buying a USB wireless adapter, but in the install it asks for files from the original 98 CD. I have a feeling my old 98 is just too old for todays drivers.
But the old system works great on ethernet connection. Is there a modem that can be a stand alone receptor (wirelessG) and provide an ethernet port?
Does my question make sense??? |
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darvon
BCS Neutral
Joined: 28 Feb 2004
Posts: 5326
Location: Detroit
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| Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2008 8:26 pm Post subject: |
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I bought another answer.
It put ethernet thru household wiring.
Let's see how it work. |
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torch
Drunken Songmaster
Joined: 06 May 2004
Posts: 3444
Location: Centreville, VA
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| Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2008 8:27 pm Post subject: |
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You're best bet is to find a wireless extender/repeater that also has ethernet connections as well.
Or, if you need a newer OS, I know a guy who works for this little sotware company based out of Seattle...
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ciaran
ITH Support
Joined: 10 Sep 2004
Posts: 4747
Location: Alpharetta, GA
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| Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2008 3:24 am Post subject: |
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Anything old enough to run Win98 and not be able to run XP might be better served running some Linux version, especially if you're just interested in web browsing/e-mail type capability. You should be able to find a distro that'll be snappier than Win98 on the same hardware, and way snappier than XP, and it'll almost certainly support some kind of wireless card/USB dongle to boot, without having to dig up drivers.
Otherwise, a wireless bridge is the way to go. Ethernet from it to the computer, wireless to the rest of your network. |
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cybrarian
Retired Moderator
Joined: 05 Dec 2003
Posts: 11216
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| Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2008 4:46 am Post subject: |
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| darvon wrote: | I bought another answer.
It put ethernet thru household wiring.
Let's see how it work. |
Homeplugs (assuming that's what you mean) work a treat for me. Quicker and more reliable than my wireless network was even with a good signal. |
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Bugsbunny
Wascally
Joined: 07 Apr 2004
Posts: 7622
Location: Drinking Carrot juice
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| Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2008 2:03 pm Post subject: |
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| ciaran wrote: | Anything old enough to run Win98 and not be able to run XP might be better served running some Linux version, especially if you're just interested in web browsing/e-mail type capability. You should be able to find a distro that'll be snappier than Win98 on the same hardware, and way snappier than XP, and it'll almost certainly support some kind of wireless card/USB dongle to boot, without having to dig up drivers.
Otherwise, a wireless bridge is the way to go. Ethernet from it to the computer, wireless to the rest of your network. |
I pretty much agree with this. You may want to check out Linux Mint, which is Ubuntu based (so you'll already be familiar with most of it), but adds a few things in terms of codecs that are pre-installed, as well as having better support for some wireless drivers etc.
For a system to allow guests to browse the Net, possibly check some email etc, something like that is perfect. |
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torch
Drunken Songmaster
Joined: 06 May 2004
Posts: 3444
Location: Centreville, VA
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| Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2008 3:35 pm Post subject: |
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That's a nice adaptation there, Bugs.
Bravo. |
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darvon
BCS Neutral
Joined: 28 Feb 2004
Posts: 5326
Location: Detroit
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| Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2008 8:07 pm Post subject: |
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Homeplugs is what I am talking about.
Although in the US they are called something else... |
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darvon
BCS Neutral
Joined: 28 Feb 2004
Posts: 5326
Location: Detroit
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| Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2008 8:09 pm Post subject: |
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I have no problem going UBUNTU on it, but I wasn't sure the UBUNTU would support the USB wireless adapter that I bought, so I returned it and got the HomePlug.
I will let you know how it works. |
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