Ok, Hubby's boss gave him a Dell desktop PC (tower, keybrd, HUGE monitor, etc..) it runs on Win 98 & we did get the reinstall CDs, etc... so that's not an issue.
I have my laptop set up with my PC card to run wirelessly off the router. now this HUGE old Dell doesn't have built in wireless, or anything, but it has USB ports (no PCMCIA slot either! or I wouldn't be so worried)... now I am about to send my laptop out for a few weeks and I thought it would be a great time to set up the Dell. I want to go wireless and very very cheap on any type of adapter. I must go wireless though. no other option for location 1 story down from the wireless router.
so what is the fastest CHEAPEST way to go? AND I don't know if it's Win98 or 98SE --- and some say down to SE and I guess that would mean 98 reg. does work?? I know nothing about 98 anymore... I went from 95 to ME and then XP Pro.
**** also - can I network the old dell w/my XP PRO laptop? will they be able to talk ?????
2006-11-01 04:55:45 · 7 answers · asked by KimiBloss 2 in Computers & Internet ➔ Computer Networking
The cheapest way to go is to just plug into the Ethernet ports on the router. Of course the desktop must be fairly close to the router and have an Ethernet NIC. Why introduce the difficulties of wireless unless needed, the Ethernet connection will be much stabler. You can network a win98 and winxp machine with few difficulties either way.
2006-11-01 05:04:36 · answer #1 · answered by Interested Dude 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can get a USB device to plugin to grant the Dell Desktop access to the network but it sounds rather old and I am sure it is either USB 1.0 or USB 1.1 so that might not be the best option since you would only see 802.11b (11mpbs) if you are lucky.
If you have an open PCI Slot on the motherboard (Typically White) you can pop a card into that unit. Which you can find any electronics retailer for typically under $50. Make sure it's 802.11g which is the standard now days.
Windows XP and Windows 98 will be able to "talk" with each other. You have to setup Windows XP to share files and folders since it is not done by default. You will also have to enable it in Windows 98 which is in Network Properties in Control Panel.
I hope that helps. I also provided a link on how to enable Windows File Sharing.
Cheers!
2006-11-01 05:07:09 · answer #2 · answered by Tristan P 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
DOES THE TOWER HAVE A NIC IN IT?THAT'S A WAY TO NETWORK.BUT YOU REALLY SHOULDN'T USE WIRELESS.YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR.CHEAPER = GARBAGE. THE WIRELESS ROUTERS ARE EASY TO HACK.WITH A WIRELESS LAPTOP, I COULD RIDE AROUND IN A CAR AND HAVE 2 OR 3 CREDIT NUMBERS IN ABOUT AN HOUR OR SO.BE VERY CAREFUL
2006-11-01 05:06:28 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
http://bartman1.blogspot.com/ ok walmart sells wireless adaptors cheap about 35-50 bucks that have a driver for 98 and use the usb port as for networking xp and 98 as long as you set the netboui protocol in 98 and netbios in xp you should be good
http://bartman1.blogspot.com/ has info
2006-11-01 04:59:41 · answer #4 · answered by senecajoe 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
best buy has wireless cards that snap into the motherboard, just need a free slot, maybe the one the old vox modem is occupying right now... usually run you about 20-40 bucks.
2006-11-01 04:58:55 · answer #5 · answered by xerocs 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it has a rj45 network port you can get a crossover cable and connect them
2016-05-23 03:27:47 · answer #6 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
http://about.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=707002/skd=1/search=MA111
http://www.utexas.edu/its/wireless/install/config_winall.html
2006-11-01 05:03:07 · answer #7 · answered by techzone12 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋