Can I setup a network with WinME and Win7 or Win Vista?

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SyncroScales

SyncroScales

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Hi. Is it possible to set up a network between a WinME computer using Win7 and/or Win Vista?



There are two laptops that have the newer OS's (Home Premium versions).



The WinME computer just has a 56k modem card inside. The laptops have the phone ports (I forgot the name).



Has anyone done this? Is there any setup and/or trouble shooting I might have to do? do I need an ethernet cable/ports instead of the phone ports?



I would want to scan the HDD on the WinME computer for malware and be able to download a protection program for it with updates. I have seen a few on cnet.com.



If there is any advice that I could have, I would appriciate it.



WinMe has a Gigabyte GA-7ZM Rev 2.2 board. IDE mobo. PCI slots.
 
Solution
USAFRet
Even though the plugs look the same, ethernet and phoneline connections are different sizes and protocols.

You can find the necessary hardware adapters, be it desktop or laptop, and somewhere you can find the software stack to make the connection.

I have laptop cards and dongles from that era, with modem, ethernet, or both.

But WinMe was not 'a great learning tool'. It was probably the worst performing OS from Microsoft ever. And I say that as someone who has been in MS oriented sw development for many, many years. 98, 98SE and Win2000 were far, far better.

I have a still working Sony laptop that originally came with WinMe installed. I still have the refresh disks around somewhere. Currently it has XP installed on it.
Why do I...
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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Possible? Yes. Networking adapters exist for WinME era PCs. With just a phone line level modem? Possible, but harder.

But seeing as the hard drive in the WinME pc is probably 10GB max, why not just copy it into a folder on one of the newer drives.
What is the benefit of keeping a 13 year old PC (with probably the worst MS operating system ever) up and running?
 
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SyncroScales

SyncroScales

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Win ME was a great learning tool and at the time was ahead of many other OS's that could have been bought. I remember using it and stuff worked from Win 95, win 98. Things worked on Win ME but not Win 2000 for a while. I know Win Me is outdated.

The HDD is about 20GB. A Maxor. I checked inside, but couldn't get the exact specs.

If it is really difficult or troublesome to set-up a network with a current OS, I'll skip it. I've been told to copy the files onto CD-RW or DVD RW's and put in a folder on the new OS. don't open anything or run executable files incase there's malware. Then run a scan. If that is recommended here, i'll do it.

I am trying to learn though, that's why I am asking the questions. I am fully aware it is not the best idea to set-up Win ME and surf the internet. That isn't going to work too well and isn't as safe or secure as a new OS. I was reading about some of the issues and troubleshooting with Win ME. The reality is that it will probably have the HDD removed and the rest is scrapped or sold, if that Disc can be found someone might need/want it.

I was wondering if I can use that old 56k phone card and plug it in a new modem if there's a port? Or does that old style of connection need a dedicated phone line? Would it be as easy as plugging in a Cat5 cable like ADSL, or does the old modem have to dial-up? I wouldn't expect ADSL or Cable speed through that port, but just wondering.

Is it a potential for old malware or trojan horses such as the ones during the Win ME era to cause a problem with Win 7 or Vista? How similar or different is the code? Could there be any problems if anything is skipped?
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

Titan
Moderator
Mar 16, 2013
171,317
17,829
184,590
Even though the plugs look the same, ethernet and phoneline connections are different sizes and protocols.

You can find the necessary hardware adapters, be it desktop or laptop, and somewhere you can find the software stack to make the connection.

I have laptop cards and dongles from that era, with modem, ethernet, or both.

But WinMe was not 'a great learning tool'. It was probably the worst performing OS from Microsoft ever. And I say that as someone who has been in MS oriented sw development for many, many years. 98, 98SE and Win2000 were far, far better.

I have a still working Sony laptop that originally came with WinMe installed. I still have the refresh disks around somewhere. Currently it has XP installed on it.
Why do I still have the CD's? Simply because I haven't thrown them out.

Would it be a good experiment to bring this old machine online? Maybe, as a fun experiment.
To use as a regular PC, networked with everything else? Not with that OS.

It's 13-14 years old. Let it go.
 
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