How can I put an old laptop online? - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

3 speed man · 14th Jun 2011, 8:54 pm

Hi all,

How can I put an old laptop online, as there is no USB or network plug?

Thanks.

ppppenguin · 14th Jun 2011, 9:04 pm

If it has a PCM (PCMCIA) socket you can get network cards that will plug in. I have done this with a couple of old laptops. Might be worth asking here if anyone has a spare.

Remember that a laptop of this vintage will probably be running W98 at best so a modern browser such as Firefox isn't feasible. You might want to consider a lightweight Linux such as Puppy.

3 speed man · 14th Jun 2011, 9:14 pm

would this work http://www.uk-surplus.com/computers/.../prod_441.html

ppppenguin · 14th Jun 2011, 9:42 pm

Possibly. It's unlikely that W98 would have a suitable driver available though you may be lucky. My PCM network cards are for wired networks, not wireless.

3 speed man · 14th Jun 2011, 9:48 pm

what about this http://www.eclipsecomputers.com/prod...MCIA1000&af=50

twocvbloke · 15th Jun 2011, 1:52 am

Beware that using a modern 3.3v CardBus card in a 5v PCMCIA slot will ruin your card, it may be prudent to post details of the laptop first instead of asking what card you need...

As mentioned, if the laptop is using something like Windows 98 or older, you are unlikely to get a Wireless card working...

paul.brett · 15th Jun 2011, 7:57 am

I got wireless working with Windows 98. You have to use the utility that comes with the card.

I think I'm right in saying that you might be restricted to 802.11b and WEP encryption maximum.

ThePillenwerfer · 15th Jun 2011, 8:22 am

FireFox 2 runs under Windows 98se as does Internet Explorer 6. I've never had any problems accessing the sites I use with either of these - I can even use the BBC i-Player for audio.

bluepilot · 15th Jun 2011, 8:36 am

Why do you need to get it online? If you just want to transfer files then a serial cable and kermit would do. If you need to get in to the internet then you could use a modem connected to the serial port. However I can imagine that it might be difficult to get the stuff you need to access modern websites (flash, java, etc.) running on an ancient laptop.

neon indicator · 15th Jun 2011, 1:30 pm

Though I do have win3.11, Win98 and Win2K multiboot on PIII 450MHz laptop. 10Mbps Ethernet PCMCIA card works on all 3. WiFi PCMCIA card 54Mbps on Win2K

Ubuntu did work on it too, both Ethernet and WiFi PCMCIA cards.

I'd recommend you go via a Firewall/Router.

You may be able to use Linux live CD to boot it. Linux supports a wide range of old hardware.

I have even been "online" via ethernet adaptor on Win3.11 plugged into a parallel port. I used a coax to Cat5 media ethernet bridge too with it.

3 speed man · 15th Jun 2011, 3:57 pm

Here are some pics.

twocvbloke · 15th Jun 2011, 5:21 pm

Looking at the connections (though the make and model would be really helpful), I would say it needs to have the 5 Volts type PCMCIA cards...

As such, you do not want to use any modern CardBus cards, as already mentioned, because even though they use the same interface, the modern cards use 3.3 Volts, and a 5 Volt slot will ruin them...

I'd recommend the Xircom (now Intel owned, for when you need drivers) RE-100 (10/100 wired Ethernet) or the REM56G-100 (10/100 Wired Ethernet & 56k dialup Modem), these are 5V cards which would most likely be suited to your laptop, make sure you read the model numbers as the "RBxxx" versions are the 3.3V cards...

neon indicator · 15th Jun 2011, 8:44 pm

I presume it's got a Model and maker?

If there is no PCMCIA slot....

http://www.basterfield.com/pc110/w95/w95-11.htm

I've used an Acton model adaptor on Win95, win98 and Win3.11/WFWG3.11
http://www.home.unix-ag.org/nils/accton_linux.html

Plugs into parallel port

What you don't want is an Ethernet Parallel port server (wrong way round).

3 speed man · 15th Jun 2011, 8:58 pm

it is a win 95 and it is made by Panasonic and ther is a PCMCIA

twocvbloke · 15th Jun 2011, 9:16 pm

Definitely a 5 Volt slot then if it's old enough to be using Win95 as it's OS...

Like I say, the Xircom cards I mentioned above will provide you with wired network connectivity, just add a network cable to your router and you'll have it online in no time...

neon indicator · 15th Jun 2011, 9:45 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3 speed man

it is a win 95 and it is made by Panasonic and ther is a PCMCIA

Model?

Maybe a label underneath.

3 speed man · 16th Jun 2011, 6:47 pm

Model = CF-41

paulsherwin · 16th Jun 2011, 7:27 pm

Just to sum up what others have said, a 5V PCMCIA card is by far the best solution. Old cards are sold on eBay all the time for a few pounds. Wireless is likely to be more of a problem given the ancient software in use but it may be possible. I'd advise you to get a wired connection working first.

If the laptop has at least 64MB of memory or you can upgrade it, it may be possible to load one of the lightweight Linux distributions such as Puppy Linux. This will give you access to modern WPA wireless networking if you can find a WPA compatible PCMCIA card. Laptops of this vintage didn't always have a built in CD drive though, and this will make installation difficult.

neon indicator · 16th Jun 2011, 8:21 pm

Quote:

PCMCIA network card such as a Xircom IIps 10 Mbit card*

It may only have 260Mbyte HDD, though does have CD, so no friendly linux will run. (DSL and puppy Linux will work on it, but they are not friendly IMO, I've used both off USB stick and CD).

The Xircom card needs an external "pod" for the ethernet cable. If it's only a Coax connector then you need a Coax to RJ45 ethernet Media Adaptor (I have one spare if you need it, the media adaptor, not the Xircom, I use that for my old laptop!).

TBH I would not use Win95 online, only on a LAN.

3 speed man · 16th Jun 2011, 9:02 pm

so i take it this wound work http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/XIRCOM-CREDITC...item3caaaebe01

14th Jun 2011, 8:54 pm	#1
3 speed man Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: York. Posts: 13	How can I put an old laptop online? Hi all, How can I put an old laptop online, as there is no USB or network plug? Thanks. Last edited by Darren-UK; 14th Jun 2011 at 9:00 pm. Reason: FSK, FPK and GI.

14th Jun 2011, 9:04 pm	#2
ppppenguin Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: North London, UK. Posts: 6,168	Re: How can I put an old laptop online? If it has a PCM (PCMCIA) socket you can get network cards that will plug in. I have done this with a couple of old laptops. Might be worth asking here if anyone has a spare. Remember that a laptop of this vintage will probably be running W98 at best so a modern browser such as Firefox isn't feasible. You might want to consider a lightweight Linux such as Puppy.

14th Jun 2011, 9:14 pm	#3
3 speed man Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: York. Posts: 13	Re: How can I put an old laptop online? would this work http://www.uk-surplus.com/computers/.../prod_441.html

14th Jun 2011, 9:42 pm	#4
ppppenguin Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: North London, UK. Posts: 6,168	Re: How can I put an old laptop online? Possibly. It's unlikely that W98 would have a suitable driver available though you may be lucky. My PCM network cards are for wired networks, not wireless.

14th Jun 2011, 9:48 pm	#5
3 speed man Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: York. Posts: 13	Re: How can I put an old laptop online? what about this http://www.eclipsecomputers.com/prod...MCIA1000&af=50

15th Jun 2011, 1:52 am	#6
twocvbloke Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Colne, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 527	Re: How can I put an old laptop online? Beware that using a modern 3.3v CardBus card in a 5v PCMCIA slot will ruin your card, it may be prudent to post details of the laptop first instead of asking what card you need... As mentioned, if the laptop is using something like Windows 98 or older, you are unlikely to get a Wireless card working...

15th Jun 2011, 7:57 am	#7
paul.brett Tetrode Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, UK. Posts: 97	Re: How can I put an old laptop online? I got wireless working with Windows 98. You have to use the utility that comes with the card. I think I'm right in saying that you might be restricted to 802.11b and WEP encryption maximum. __________________ My vintage Computer Museum. Please visit soon!

15th Jun 2011, 8:22 am	#8
ThePillenwerfer Octode Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 1,453	Re: How can I put an old laptop online? FireFox 2 runs under Windows 98se as does Internet Explorer 6. I've never had any problems accessing the sites I use with either of these - I can even use the BBC i-Player for audio. __________________ "Experts are only good at one thing: explaining why something will not work!"

15th Jun 2011, 8:36 am	#9
bluepilot Heptode Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Duffort, Gers, France Posts: 714	Re: How can I put an old laptop online? Why do you need to get it online? If you just want to transfer files then a serial cable and kermit would do. If you need to get in to the internet then you could use a modem connected to the serial port. However I can imagine that it might be difficult to get the stuff you need to access modern websites (flash, java, etc.) running on an ancient laptop. __________________ Stuart The golden age is always yesterday - Asa Briggs

15th Jun 2011, 1:30 pm	#10
neon indicator Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Co. Limerick, Ireland. Posts: 1,183	Re: How can I put an old laptop online? Though I do have win3.11, Win98 and Win2K multiboot on PIII 450MHz laptop. 10Mbps Ethernet PCMCIA card works on all 3. WiFi PCMCIA card 54Mbps on Win2K Ubuntu did work on it too, both Ethernet and WiFi PCMCIA cards. I'd recommend you go via a Firewall/Router. You may be able to use Linux live CD to boot it. Linux supports a wide range of old hardware. I have even been "online" via ethernet adaptor on Win3.11 plugged into a parallel port. I used a coax to Cat5 media ethernet bridge too with it.

15th Jun 2011, 3:57 pm	#11
3 speed man Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: York. Posts: 13	Re: How can I put an old laptop online? Here are some pics. Attached Thumbnails

15th Jun 2011, 5:21 pm	#12
twocvbloke Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Colne, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 527	Re: How can I put an old laptop online? Looking at the connections (though the make and model would be really helpful), I would say it needs to have the 5 Volts type PCMCIA cards... As such, you do not want to use any modern CardBus cards, as already mentioned, because even though they use the same interface, the modern cards use 3.3 Volts, and a 5 Volt slot will ruin them... I'd recommend the Xircom (now Intel owned, for when you need drivers) RE-100 (10/100 wired Ethernet) or the REM56G-100 (10/100 Wired Ethernet & 56k dialup Modem), these are 5V cards which would most likely be suited to your laptop, make sure you read the model numbers as the "RBxxx" versions are the 3.3V cards...

15th Jun 2011, 8:44 pm	#13
neon indicator Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Co. Limerick, Ireland. Posts: 1,183	Re: How can I put an old laptop online? I presume it's got a Model and maker? If there is no PCMCIA slot.... http://www.basterfield.com/pc110/w95/w95-11.htm I've used an Acton model adaptor on Win95, win98 and Win3.11/WFWG3.11 http://www.home.unix-ag.org/nils/accton_linux.html Plugs into parallel port What you don't want is an Ethernet Parallel port server (wrong way round).

15th Jun 2011, 8:58 pm	#14
3 speed man Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: York. Posts: 13	Re: How can I put an old laptop online? it is a win 95 and it is made by Panasonic and ther is a PCMCIA

15th Jun 2011, 9:16 pm	#15
twocvbloke Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Colne, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 527	Re: How can I put an old laptop online? Definitely a 5 Volt slot then if it's old enough to be using Win95 as it's OS... Like I say, the Xircom cards I mentioned above will provide you with wired network connectivity, just add a network cable to your router and you'll have it online in no time...

16th Jun 2011, 6:47 pm	#17
3 speed man Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: York. Posts: 13	Re: How can I put an old laptop online? Model = CF-41

16th Jun 2011, 7:27 pm	#18
paulsherwin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 27,966	Re: How can I put an old laptop online? Just to sum up what others have said, a 5V PCMCIA card is by far the best solution. Old cards are sold on eBay all the time for a few pounds. Wireless is likely to be more of a problem given the ancient software in use but it may be possible. I'd advise you to get a wired connection working first. If the laptop has at least 64MB of memory or you can upgrade it, it may be possible to load one of the lightweight Linux distributions such as Puppy Linux. This will give you access to modern WPA wireless networking if you can find a WPA compatible PCMCIA card. Laptops of this vintage didn't always have a built in CD drive though, and this will make installation difficult.

16th Jun 2011, 9:02 pm	#20
3 speed man Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: York. Posts: 13	Re: How can I put an old laptop online? so i take it this wound work http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/XIRCOM-CREDITC...item3caaaebe01