Connecting an older computer

imagine outline · Sep 23, 2013

Hope i am posting in correct category.
I have an older computer with windows xp software. I have no home phone so i cannot do dial up service. i am needing to set up wireless Internet access but the computer has no Ethernet port to allow me to connect a wireless router. What are my options?

Quarkzquarkz · Sep 23, 2013

1) Purchase a cheap Ethernet card that connects via RJ-45.
2) Use one of those new USB wireless cards and connect to a nearest router.
3) These are all below 50 Dollars now.

Good luck!

RealBeast · Sep 23, 2013

If your computer has USB 2.0 ports, I would buy a USB wireless adapter, otherwise you will need one that fits a slot inside, probably PCI if your computer is quite old (PCIe if it is newer).

Alabalcho · Sep 23, 2013

@Imagine,

Buyng an Ethernet card will not solve your problems automatically - you would also need a router which you can configure to work in Bridge mode, and not all routers around support that.

Check whether your PC has an USB 2.0, and get a USB wireless dongle with XP support. You can also go with Wi-Fi PCI controller, and again make sure they have XP support.

Since your PC has not been connected to Internet, it is way behind in patches and servce packs. Make sure you have SP3 installed before yo plug any controller. Without SP3, you most probably won't be able to connect to protected WiFi networks. You can download SP3 from http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=24 (yes, you need the version for "professionals"

)

kenaniah7037 · Sep 23, 2013

@ Alabalcho....

Just curious - I've never heard of Bridge Mode with routers, and the reason I ask is because I've got several older PC's in the house running XP Pro, and I regularly build/install same for customers. Been using older ethernet cards for years, never had to find or configure bridge mode.
Could you educate me on that? Always looking to further my knowledge.

Also, I've used USB wireless dongles on the older USB ports - they do work,but definitely slower than 2.0. (Usually just get the warning popup "This device could perform faster on USB 2.0" ) So (at least in my experience to date) , Imagine may be able to use a wireless dongle without USB 2.0.

Alabalcho · Sep 23, 2013

B "bridge" mode I mean - a WiFi router which bridges (makes it transparrent) WiFi network to the Wired network. If your Internet comes over WiFi (e.g. other WiFi router), and you want to connect your PC using wired Etherned, your router should support that bridge mode.

Here is a (good) explanation of that mode: http://networking.answers.com/router/setting-your-wireless-router-to-bridge-mode

kenaniah7037 · Sep 23, 2013

Ah, allright - same thing I've seen listed as "disable DHCP" then, sounds like just a different wording. I guess the routers I've worked with haven't worded it that way, or I just missed it.

Thank you!

imagine outline · Sep 24, 2013

I have a Belkin USB I was given I believe it is a wireless adapter. Looks like a usb storage device nothing else came with it. once I have the adapter what other equipment or steps will I need to take then

kenaniah7037 · Sep 24, 2013

You'll need to find the drivers for it online, so you'll need to get to another computer. Does the adapter have a model number on it somewhere? You'll need to search with the model number for the drivers, download them, get them onto your computer you want the Belkin to run on, and install it with the drivers.
If there are numbers on it, post them and we could start looking for drivers.

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Connecting an older computer

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