Expert: Lorry - 2/8/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hi Lorry,

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.

Check out the following for information:

http://www.labridge.com/site/pages/configure/my/dsl/pc/default.html

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.

Hope this helps!
Lorry

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks, Lorry!  Regarding your query about why the router, I'll try to explain.  Please keep in mind that I'm technically challenged, and might not have understood everything in your note.  What I had ordered was a bundled system from my telephone company: phone (already installed), plus DSL and cable (not installed--never had cable before--Now you know how behind the times I am.).  When the installer came and I showed him the pc (He didn't turn it on, so I'm not sure whether he knew it only had Windows 98), I asked him if it was possible to install things so that I could move it to 2 other rooms when I wanted.

I realize this is wierd considering it's a desktop vs. a laptop/notebook; but I get in moods where I want it in a different place in my house, so I transfer the whole thing elsewhere sometimes.  If/when I'm able to buy new equipment, will most likely go to a laptop--just despise the keyboard/size of screen, etc.  When I can afford the laptop, I'd like to get a separate monitor and keyboard/mouse set-up as well, so my aging eyes don't slow me down.  These things add to the cost, of course, and I never travel with the pc, so I haven't really needed the laptop, other than when my occasional "changing the house around" moods occur.

Also, in case this has any impact on all this, I have 3 tv's--2 downstairs, 1 upstairs.  Does the same router control all of this--cable and internet???  He installed the router under the main tv (one of the upstairs ones).  It wasn't the router he said I needed to buy--It was just the USB adapter to plug into my pc's USB port since it was too old to have the ethernet access or network card.  I doubt that taking the pc in to get one installed would be worth the money (?).

Anyway, that question I asked him about moving the pc was what made him decide on wireless/router/USB adapter, etc.  Maybe he assumed I had a more current version of Windows--I'm not sure.  Or maybe it just made his installation simpler/faster for him???

But back to the issue, I apologize if I'm wasting your time; but do I have any inexpensive (as in really cheap) options that would be feasible considering my unusual habits to handle this now?  Or do I have to continue dealing with the dial-up til I can afford a new computer.  I'm tired of spending half or all of the night trying to accomplish various goals on the internet.

Sorry for the recycle, but I don't want to spin my wheels or waste money if this isn't possible right now.  I need to be concentrating on finding a new assignment.

Thanks again!
Kathy

Answer
Hi Kathy,

The router is for the computers only.

Sorry for taking so long to get back to you, asked a friend for their advice and he came back with:

She says she thinks it's Windows 98 SE. If it is SE, USB should work but it could be iffy based on the D-Link statement about requiring  2000 or newer.

Personally, I would wait until I could afford a new computer, one reason as they are more secure, the other is that Microsoft doesn't support Windows 98SE anymore - no updates.

Money, I know that feeling, I can't afford to do many things due to the lack of it. Watch for sales at Office Depot, Office Max, Staples and Circuit City. Now a days, you can get everything for about $400.00, that's the computer, keyboard, mouse, monitor and usually a printer.

Good luck in whatever you decide to do.

Later,
Lorry