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omega 24 v6 - 6/10/05 at 11:40 AM

Will an old 233 p2 computer running windows 98 connect to my wireless network if i fit a wireless card to it. The rest of the network machines ar on xp.
what type of card do i need as it only has expansion slots and no usb etc.
Will i be able to install xp on this machine (64mb ram i think).
Thanks in advance


Gary

DaveFJ - 6/10/05 at 11:44 AM

installing XP #:

technically yes you could install it but it would be so slow that it would make you cry....

as for networking the only problem i can see is finding a '98 driver ?

Ketchup - 6/10/05 at 12:00 PM

linksys do good value pci cards that will go in your pc, and they come with 98 drivers, i have fitted them to older computers with no problem.

as the chap before said, i wouldnt bother trying to install xp on it as it would be like extracting a tooth with a plastic spoon, 98 will work fine for what you need i should think.

try www.ebuyer.com for the hardware.

jestre - 6/10/05 at 12:00 PM

must be 98SE.

Peteff - 6/10/05 at 12:32 PM

It would probably be easier and more productive to buy a pci usb board to plug it into.

DaveFJ - 6/10/05 at 12:35 PM

but then you need to USB working properly under win98SE - aaarrrrggghhhh

serendipity123 - 6/10/05 at 12:56 PM

as a pc shop i would suggest unless you know what you are doing networking win98se is a pain in the bum, even on a new install it can be a pain, its also very low spec, my oppion give it a miss.

also some of the pci network cards on the older 98 machines will cause the pc not to start.

zxrlocost - 6/10/05 at 02:56 PM

funnily aswell most of the computers at work that have 98 work better and quicker than the new modern shite like my laptop..

SORRY BUT IM OLD SCHOOL!

things from yester year did and do work better than modern times

try and find a way around it!

serendipity123 - 6/10/05 at 06:51 PM

best get your company to give me a call, sounds like they need to modernise and get back up to date.

britishtrident - 6/10/05 at 06:54 PM

quote:
Originally posted by DaveFJ
but then you need to USB working properly under win98SE - aaarrrrggghhhh


Win98se has no problems with USB in fact USB works a lot better in Win 98se than Win ME --- any USB problems are usually down to motherboards with the old Via USB 1 chipset especially when combined with certain ADSL modems.

The problem with using Win98 these days is it just isn't supported, and has sweet fa security.

[Edited on 6/10/05 by britishtrident]

britishtrident - 6/10/05 at 07:03 PM

quote:
Originally posted by omega 24 v6
Will an old 233 p2 computer running windows 98 connect to my wireless network if i fit a wireless card to it. The rest of the network machines ar on xp.
what type of card do i need as it only has expansion slots and no usb etc.
Will i be able to install xp on this machine (64mb ram i think).
Thanks in advance

Gary


Like they said in the film "its a bridge too far".
A 233 isn't worth trying to do anything with --- the absolute minium usuable spec these days is 500mghz with a 256mb because by the time you load network drivers, firewall and antivirus on a 233mghz with 96mb pc it won't even crawl and that with just 98se on it try loading xp and it might boot but thats all it will do.

[Edited on 6/10/05 by britishtrident]

[Edited on 6/10/05 by britishtrident]

DaveFJ - 6/10/05 at 07:03 PM

I choose to ignore the fact the WinMe exisits - it was only put out as a prank by Microsoft I am sure!.... no one would deliberatley release something that bad!

britishtrident - 6/10/05 at 07:09 PM

quote:
Originally posted by DaveFJ
I choose to ignore the fact the WinMe exisits - it was only put out as a prank by Microsoft I am sure!.... no one would deliberatley release something that bad!


The only advantage Me comes with decent selection of drivers on the cd as a result plug and play works much better, with 98se you have can waste a whole day trying to get a sound card driver.

[Edited on 6/10/05 by britishtrident]

omega 24 v6 - 6/10/05 at 07:16 PM

Ok so wireless with xp is out.
What about leaving it as is and fitting an ethernet card and hardwiring to the router.

serendipity123 - 6/10/05 at 08:09 PM

i have a nice selection of second had p3 900mhz in with 256 and lan, i could let you have one for £80 beer tokens if you want

Steve&Steve - 6/10/05 at 09:15 PM

I have had little trouble getting my house mates OLD pc on our wireless router.

Cyrix 266mHz (P1 300mHz equivalent)
96mb EDO ram
Windows 98se
AVG free antivirus
Generic wireless 11b card. (ralink/wireless technology brand)

Think 98se is a must for most cards to work, but old machines work fine for web browsing/word processing if you know thier limits, gets good download speeds too, though I don't worry he's gonna use up all my 2meg broadband.

omega 24 v6 - 6/10/05 at 09:40 PM

thanks for the offer serendipity but I'l pass. I was offered a 17 monitor for free and wondered if i could get away with connecting to my lan. It looks like I'll now have a new toy for autocad in the workshop now instead.
Thanks for all your replies guys and guyesses.