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Old computer-can't access internet

15 years ago

I was given a Compaq Armada M300 laptop. It is quite old but still runs fairly well. Problem is Windows 98 is the operating system and I can't use a wireless card because Windows 98 does not recognize it when I try to install it. I have a wireless card slot on the laptop but when trying to install the CD I get an error message. I was told to upgrade to at least Windows 2000 but don't think it is worth the money to purchase a new operating system for such an old laptop. I wanted to ask to see if anyone knew of any other way to get this computer to access internet or recognize the wireless card.

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Comments (3)

bpgreen
15 years ago
Windows 98 has not been supported by Ms for over 2 years, so it's probably not a good idea to connect it to the internet anyway.

It might be difficult to find current wireless devices that have drivers for an OS that is now 10 years old.

If you need to use Windows, you should either upgrade or leave it disconnected from the internet. If you don't need windows, you might consider installing one of the Linux distributions, since that could be done for free.
mxyplx
15 years ago
If its real old the original W98 came bundled with IE4 which will no longer connect. If that happens to be your situation the IE4 has to be replaced with IE6 if you wish to keep W98.
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Genes, no, I don't use hibernation or sleep or stand by. Let me run this thought through y'all. About the time the computer decided it didn't want to do internet, we had Comcast to come out to check why we got nothing but tiles. While he was here, he took note that we have five TV's and was using several splitters. He unhooked/uninstalled one of the tvs and it got rid of the tiles. Could the splitters have anything to do with this problem? What is such a riddle to me is, why does one computer work on the Ethernet and the other one will not? Hmmmmmm? I've had another AT&T technician back to the house and he found nothing and I took it back to the computer guy and they, again, found nothing. The AT&T guy did suggest hooking up a router and using that. What's the general thought on that idea?
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ravencajun Zone 8b TX
15 years ago
I too would say this pc might be a good candidate for linux, you can try it out with out installing it by getting one of the live cd's, you just put it in your cd drawer then boot up the pc from the cd and choose to run the linux cd, you can then test it out and see how it works on that pc, you can try your wireless and see if it finds it and recognizes it, some distros like Mepis have a special built in assistant to aid in things like that. If you like it and everything works well while using the cd you can choose to install it to that pc. But if you decide you did not want to all you have to do is hit shutdown on the pc and remove the linux cd from the drawer, next time you reboot it will be back using your windows. Nothing was changed while using the cd.
Here is a site with lists of many linux versions and links to where you can buy them for a few bucks.
Linux

At the very least I agree with mxyplx get your IE updated or even better go get the firefox browser and use it instead.
Firefox

Also check the manufacturers site for your wireless card many do offer windows 98 drivers but you have to go get them and install them, did your paper work for your card mention anything about windows 98 drivers?

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