Operating system

moaninmick

My sister wants to instal wireless broadband but is unable to do so because her operating system is windows ME. Would she be able to use Ubuntu or Linux and if so what would be best for someone who knows little about computers?

Thanks

superscaper

Depends on her hardware. I've got Netgear wireless dongle and I never got it working properly with Ubuntu. Even the attempt at getting it working was a steep learning curve and I hadn't had to do anything like it since my Unix course I did. I'd check beforehand what the support and compatibility is like for her hardware, you can always try running Ubuntu from a livecd without installing to see where any potential problems are.

Donnie

What is preventing her from using Wireless broadband with Windows ME? I have a old laptop which I use occasionally. It connects via PCMCIA card.

superscaper

Donnie wrote: »

What is preventing her from using Wireless broadband with Windows ME? I have a old laptop which I use occasionally. It connects via PCMCIA card.

Have to agree, what is the exact problem in not connecting with ME? Have you actually tried it first?

Little_John

If the pc is working using ME then why change it all you need to do is find a wireless adaptor that will work with ME most will. ISP's that say you need XP or vista are just taking a bung from microsoft in an attepmt to force people to buy their new operating systems by making their own software only run on the new OS 99% of the time the software they provide you will never use anyway so don't install it.

Conor_3

If you want to get wireless working, the last thing you want to be doing is installing Linux because Wifi support on Linux is horrific and a real battle to get it working unless you're incredibly lucky. For example, to get it working on my laptop, I have to install some package and then extract the firmware out of the sys files contained in the Windows drivers.

moaninmick

Thanks for the replies. Yes I've tried to instal but it [EMAIL="won@t"]won't[/EMAIL] work. Her ISP is Talk Talk and I don't know the wireless usb router which she is using. Whatever is happening she can't get it to work. I'll try again when I next see her at the end of the week.

Donnie

I think that you misunderstand. You may need to buy a Wireless adapter that works with Windows ME.

You also should be more specific with regards to your machine and model of router.

madnlooney

a wireless dongle will work fine with ME. just look for one which is supported and load the correct drivers and away you go.

Ramz_3

My WG111T USB dongle works fine with my old Windows ME PC.

Donnie

An alternative; http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/specpage.html?ngr-wg311g&P=1

One would need to upgrade the firmware to enable WPA encryption.

This is a little cheaper; http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/specpage.html?dli-dwlg51&P=1

At least you will be assured compatibility with Windows ME.

If you go the USB dongle route, don't forget to check compatibility.

If you intend to share files between your computers, the PCI Card will be better.