internet for an old computor?

klee1505

Hello,

i was just looking for a bit of advise really. i have been given a very old computer it has windows 95 on it. and iwas woundering if any one knows if i can get broadband on it or if i have to get dial up?

Thanks

Kayleigh

stebiz

Many of the broadband providers will insist on the computer being to a certain spec. But there really is no reason why it wouldn't work on broadband. In the case of Virgin Media, it only needs to have a Network Card in it, or one inserted for about a fiver. It may not run as good though, as the Processor, Ram and Hardrive will only be small. Better than nothing though. I used to use broadband on Win 95, but that was about 11 years ago.

Stebiz

JohalaReewi

The only thing that could stop a Windows 95 PC using broadband is if you try to use a USB broadband device. Windows 95 support for USB was pretty minimal and you are unlikely to find a modern USB device with drivers for Windows 95.

If you have a separate broadband modem/router, you can use a standard ethernet network port to connect your PC to the router. If your PC doesn't have a network port, you could try an ethernet card (probably get a free one on freecycle).

If you don't have a broadband modem/router, you should be able to use a PCI ADSL modem card (provided your PC has a spare PCI slot). These were all the rage once (used to use one myself).

Having connected to the internet, your next problem will be firewall and anti virus software. You are not going to find any for Windows 95! If you are using a broadband modem/router, the built in firewall should be enough. Have you thought about getting a different operating system? Maybe Linux or an old copy of Windows XP home?

aerostar

Win95 networking was never brilliant.

Get a friend to download boot cd of Linux and make you one, as long as your computer has a network card (you can still get them) you should not have any trouble connecting to broadband.

You can get Linux to run from the CD drive, leaving your win95 as is, and see what it makes of your machine. If it works you could the wipe the 95 off and install Linux.

brewerdave

As aerostar says, install a version of Linux - I've set up a 12 year old PC (which was running unpatched Win98) with Ubuntu for my daughter to use for internet surfing/music/photos - I installed a cheap network card and it flies when connected to her O2 router.