Which USB Ethernet Adaptor??

KF1_2

Hi All,

I wonder if you can help?

I've recently signed up to BE to get broadband internet, but the computer I will be using is an older model (Packard Bell - with no Ethernet connection port!!!). Having had a quick look in the forums, I now know that you can use a USB Ethernet Apadptor to connect to the router provided. Which is good because I have two at the back of the computer.

But I'm not sure what I should get or where is the best place to buy/order one from.

I did a quick internet search and saw that Maplin stock them (c. £20-25.00) is that about standard or can I get them cheaper??

The computer uses Windows ME(/2000) and hopefully I will receive download speeds of up to 12 Megabytes.

Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

kwikbreaks

If it's a desktop then a PCI network card would be a lot cheaper and less trouble. There is no guarantee that a modern adaptor would have a driver that would run on an operating system that old.

penrhyn

I suspect it may only have USB1 ports as well.

fwor

If it's a desktop, and you're Ok to open it up, you are probably better off getting an Ethernet PCI card like this one for less than a fiver:

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/132471

If you go to the Realtek website, you can find driver downloads going right back to Windows98SE! You should check first that you have a spare PCI slot free, though.

kwikbreaks

fwor wrote: »

If you go to the Realtek website, you can find driver downloads going right back to Windows98SE! You should check first that you have a spare PCI slot free, though.

The ethernet card will certainly be OK it's the USB ones which may well not be and why I suggested ethernet instead.

I also agree that the USB ports may well be USB1 only on a machine that old and that will be slower than the broadband for sure.

KF1_2

Hi..

Thanks for the responses so far. But I'm not entirely sure they are what I was looking for.

I was hoping to get an Ethernet USB adaptor for my laptop (Packard Bell Easy One Silver Model 3100 DVD), as they were cheaper than maybe a wireless usb adaptor.

Where do I get my USB port information?

Also, what driver information do I need?

Can I get my existing information from my computer (and if so where?)

My OS is Window's ME Service Pack 2, will that make a difference?

What other information would you guys needs to help me out more?

Thanks in advance.

closed

ME or 2000?

Might be time for a new (or second hand - XP or later) machine, you'll struggle to get a virus scanner for ME (try avast 4), the wireless support is minimal and won't support latest encryption.

If you really want to use it, you'd be better off with a pc-card (pcmcia) card, either wireless or wired, rather than usb - make sure whatever you buy comes with ME drivers.