Wireless network card for cranky old computer.

tomstickland

Rather than spending £400 on a new Dell computer, I've been offered a reasonable 5 year old computer running win98 for free. All it needs, I reckon, is a wirelss card so I can run off the broadband in the house.

I've had a quick look and this looks like it'll do the job: http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00008XYJ3/qid=1133816747/sr=2-1/ref=sr_2_3_1/203-4048188-6167130

I assume that it's PCI slots in the machine?What was the older, obsolete, standard called? Are there any potential issues with one of these cards, or do I just shove it in, install the software and go go go?

To see how fast the computer might run on Broadband, can I just use an Ethernet cable into the ASDL router/modem? ie: take computer into room and plug it into the router/modem, just for a trial?

ffym

PCI has been around for a while now so it should be OK, it's worth a quick look inside to check if there is a spare slot though. I have a Win98 machine working fine on WIFI (with a Belkin card as it happens) no problem there - you should get the 98 drivers with the card on the CD if not they are available to download. Ethernet connection should be easier again!

tomstickland

I've got the PC in bits now and there's about 3 spare slots. So you think Ethernet should just work like that? I'll go and try it later.

ffym

You may have to enable networking under Control Panel to get it to work. Check there that TCP IP Protocol is installed.