need to connect computer to wireless network with DSL

[Colleen]

I apologize in advance for posting this on multiple newsgroups, but I am
not sure which one is the most appropriate. My daughter has an IBM 300
PL which she uses for her school work. All the other PCs and laptops in
our home are also IBM, except for one Dell PC. All the computers except
my daughter’s are linked via a Netgear WGR614 (version 5) wireless
router, and our internet connection is DSL. I would also like to link
my daughter’s computer to the network so that she can do her “instant
messaging” and email without tying up one of our other computers. Can
someone tell me where to find what PCI adapters are compatible with her
computer and with our network? Also, what other hardware or software do
I need in order to link her to the network?

Thank you.
Colleen

[Dewaine Chan]

For starter, tell eeveryone which version of Windows is on the computer. If
it is Windows 98 Second Edition or Windows ME, you will need to fin the PCI
Wireless card that clearly states it will Support Windows 98 SE. Usually if
it supports Windows 98SE, it will support Windows ME, Windows 2000, and
Windows XP. All Wireless cards are suppose to be interoperatable with each
other that it doesn't matter who makes what but in reality that you will
have better luck sticking with the same Vendor (in yoru case, Netgear).

Dewaine

[Arno Wagner]

In comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware.misc Dewaine Chan <"dchanNOSPAM"@nospam plzzznc.rr.com> wrote:
> For starter, tell eeveryone which version of Windows is on the computer. If
> it is Windows 98 Second Edition or Windows ME, you will need to fin the PCI
> Wireless card that clearly states it will Support Windows 98 SE. Usually if
> it supports Windows 98SE, it will support Windows ME, Windows 2000, and
> Windows XP. All Wireless cards are suppose to be interoperatable with each
> other that it doesn't matter who makes what but in reality that you will
> have better luck sticking with the same Vendor (in yoru case, Netgear).

If you want to optimise speed and cost, take a wireless adapter
that supports the same wireless norm as the base-station, i.e.
802.11g. 802.11b is also supported, but slower (might not be an issue).

In addition to the information Dewaine requested, you might also want
to tell us what kind of computer an "IBM 300 PL" is. It seems
IBM does not offer such a machine. Laptop or desktop? What bus
system? Bought when?

Arno

[Rob]

Hi Colleen,

 

What you're looking for is probably something like the NETGEAR WPN311 IEEE 802.11b/g PCI RangeMax Wireless PC Adapter.  Since it's the same brand as your router, you are much less likely to have any issues with the wireless adapter and the wireless router not wanting to play nicely together (though in my experience, I've never really had problems with using different brands together).  This adapter is a PCI card which would fit into one of the PCI slots on your 300PL's motherboard, assuming that there is an available empty slot.  There should be, unless you've added alot of other components to this machine.  The adapter is compatible with Win98SE all the way thru XP.

 

(One thing I should mention is that if you are running Win98, you may have more problems getting this adapter (or any adapter) to work properly with all the other hardware devices in the computer.  I say that because I'm remembering previous experiences with trying to install wireless NICs in Win98 machines -- half the time, it seemed that installing the NIC made Windows want to disable some other device, like the sound card.)

 

One place you can buy this online is from NewEgg; I've had great luck with them.  Here's a direct link to this adapter on their website:  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16833150017

 

One other thing... if your wireless network is not already secured, you should do so.  The router's manual should explain how to set up encryption and mask the SSID.

 

Rob.

 

 

 

"Colleen" <met...@mindspring.com> wrote in message news:gw%kf.243$Z61...@newsread2.news.atl.earthlink.net...