AboutKevin Expertise I`m familiar with Windows 95/98/XP problems and will try my best to assist you. Feel free to ask any software or hardware related questions.
Experience I started using computers over 10 years ago and have grown to both love and hate it to say the least. I have studied computer programming and graduated with a bachelor's degree in computer science.
Education/Credentials Bachelors in computer information science
Question QUESTION: I have an old laptop that I love, but it has Windows 98. I want to connect it to my Verizon router wirelessly. I was told to buy a PCMCIA Card - USB 2.0 Cardbus card, which I have installed. But now I don't know how to make a wireless connection to the internet. Can you help, please. Try not to get too technical. I'm mechanically inclined and pretty much computer savvy, but.....
Thank you for your help.
ANSWER: Hi Maggie, are you sure it's not a PCMCIA Wireless card? Just asking because a PCMCIA USB 2.0 card will provide you with USB 2.0 port access only and has nothing to do with wireless. Look at the card and make sure it doesn't have USB ports on the side. If it does, you bought the wrong card. It should just be a card you insert into the laptop with no outside connections.
If the card is correct, do you have the software for it? Does the card say that it's compatible with Windows 98?
Once those information are provided, we can go ahead with more details on the setup.
QUESTION: Kevin,
You're right - it is the wrong card. It's a USB 2.0 Cardbus and does have USB ports. It says its compatible with Windows 98 and came with a disk that says Drivers & Utility. What should I be looking for to buy to connect to my wireless router? Help me please.
Thanks for your help on this. Margie
ANSWER: Hi Margie, you will need to get a PCMCIA wireless card like the following:
It's just a sample of what you should get. You don't need to buy that model or from Amazon. You may find a better model elsewhere or lower price as well. Read the reviews for them as well and make sure they are compatible with Windows 98. The one I provided the link for is a good brand, but the reviews are not so hot. It is however, compatible with Windows 98SE (Second Edition). So look for that type of card. You can probably even find it in your local computer shop. Just make sure it works with your version of Windows. Other than that, I don't see any other problems.
QUESTION: Kevin, I bought the Linksys WPC 11 that you recommended from Amazon. I've installled it, but I'm still having trouble connecting. Is the SID the name of my router? Is the WEP the ID No. Verizon Gave me? The router is an ActionTec. It also has some numbers listed as WPS Pin and WAN Mac. Should I be using these to connect? Help, I feel like an idiot!!!!
Margie
Answer Hi Margie, did Verizon setup the security for you? If they enabled WEP, then yes, that's the set of numbers you should enter for WEP. I recommend bumping the encryption to WPA though since WEP is very weak and can be cracked in very little time.
Yes, the SSID is usually the name of the router. You should be able to login to the router settings and lookup the SSID and other wireless configurations. If you still need help, call up Verizon and they will walk you through it.
This is a little confusing when you do it the first time. It's actually quite simple to setup once you have all the information.
