AboutLorry Expertise I can answer most questions regarding Windows 95 and/or Windows 98.
Experience Like most people, started with Windows 95, then continued on with the other versions as they came available up to Windows XP. Am a local tech helping others when something goes wrong with Windows.
First a little background info: I was getting so frustrated with slow dial-up (had free internet access via a relative) that I thought DSL might help, even though my desktop pc and software are old. The tech who installed the DSL router for wireless (long story about why the wireless) looked at my pc and said I would need to get a wireless USB adapter before I could use my new internet access, so I went to the local OfficeMax and bought what the sales clerk said I needed (D-Link wireless Rangebooster G USB 2.0 adapter). Unfortunately, although I told him my pc was old, he didn't ask what operating system I had. After reading the install CD for the adapter and seeing it requires Windows 2000 SP4 or Win XP SP1, I knew I was in trouble. (I'm a 61 yr-old widow who is not tech-savvy and does not have the money to buy a new pc currently due to difficulty finding jobs at my age after a lay-off in 2000--last temporary assignment ended mid-Dec 2007, so am job-hunting.)
In case you need it, following are some current system info:
Compaq Presario w/AMD-K6-2 processor
Windows 98 (upgraded to SE I think?)
64MB RAM
64 pct system resources free
I'm not sure what speed the processor is (133MHz?)--not sure where to look. The pc was given to me by a friend who upgraded, so I have no paperwork. My prior pc's were a Compaq Deskpro, a pentium, and a pentium II; so you can see I've been working from the dark ages.
Question: Is there such a thing as a wireless USB adapter for my old pc w/Windows 98SE or do I have to wait until I can find a new assignment and save up a little to buy new equipment? Please advise all options, if any, to solve w/o spending much.
Thanks for your time/help.
Kathy
Answer Hi Kathy,
Was surprised to hear that they even hooked you up to DSL knowing you had Windows 98. Never heard of someone having to get a router, wireless or not, to be able to access the internet with one computer. Usually if there is only one computer, you hook up just that one, nothing else. Think he meant to say that you required a network card, not a router.
I would also contact your server (ISP) and question why you were told you needed the router, a router joins 2 or more computers. Webopedia. com describes Router as:
(row´ter) (n.) A device that forwards data packets along networks. A router is connected to at least two networks, commonly two LANs or WANs or a LAN and its ISP’s network. Routers are located at gateways, the places where two or more networks connect.
Routers use headers and forwarding tables to determine the best path for forwarding the packets, and they use protocols such as ICMP to communicate with each other and configure the best route between any two hosts.
