Win95 okay for wireless?

Erichero · 31-10-2005, 23:38

We'll be setting up a wireless router soon, using Telewest broadband. We've been told that you must have Win98 and upwards. Is this strictly true or just advised? If it's true, what's the cheapest legal way to get Win98 or WinXP?

Thanks for your help

Jon M · 31-10-2005, 23:49

If you're spending ÃƒÆ’Ã†â€™ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…Â¡ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£15-25 a month on broadband there is no point looking at Win98.

Shop around for XP Home Edition.

Halcyon · 31-10-2005, 23:50

You should check Ebay for Windows 98. You can often pick it up for not much these days.

As far as I know, the reason people are telling you that you probably need a Windows 98 or above operating system for using their service is becuase many people connect via usb and that basically didnt exist in those days or when it did, didnt function very well. Windows 98 or up had USB support.
Though ethernet is better than USB .

You would be better getting Windows XP for the better Wireless facilities & internet and networking environment.
You would also benefit from updates to get the latest security patches.

Windows XP home is about ÃƒÆ’Ã†â€™ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…Â¡ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£58
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=134165

Jon M · 31-10-2005, 23:52

What specification is your PC though... you may be better off upgrading in general terms and get the operating system as part of a package.

http://configure.euro.dell.com/dells...rsdimen_3100_3
ÃƒÆ’Ã†â€™ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…Â¡ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£341 for a full system with software.

31-10-2005, 23:53

Time to buy a new pc.Reaqsonable towers can be bought for 200 quid

MovedGoalPosts · 31-10-2005, 23:53

You would need to check the minimum specifications for the particular wireless router card you intend to fit to your PC. If it's a USB card, USB didn't really come into windows proper until Win 98se. A standard network card, connecting to a wireless adaptor, might just be capable, but again check manufacturer's specific needs.

I'll be surprised if Win 95 is up to the job. Chances are for the necessary security protocols you need with wireless networks, or indeed any networking, win 98 or greater is needed. Additionally, it's likely that the software drivers needed just do not run under Win 95.

Additionally there will be minimum specs for the computer itself. Check this against at least the Telewest site. A PC running win 95, suggestsit is very old,and thus possibly too underpowered to realistically run broadband.

altis · 01-11-2005, 09:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jon M

If you're spending ÃƒÆ’Ã†â€™ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…Â¡ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£15-25 a month on broadband there is no point looking at Win98.

Shop around for XP Home Edition.

Why burden your machine with a monolith like XP?

Win95, at least the OSR2 version, will work just fine. I have it on 3 of my 4 partitions and I can surf on any of them to my hearts content. I suspect you'll have to connect via ethernet and not USB but that's no bad thing. Just make sure you have Microsoft TCP/IP loaded in Contorol Panel / Network / Protocols. You don't need any of the other stuff like Client for Microsoft Networks or File and Printer Sharing.

Jon M · 01-11-2005, 09:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by altis

Why burden your machine with a monolith like XP?

The OP was after a wireless capable solution

If I make a recommendation to Joe Average User, I generally choose the most current OS for compatability and also the most easy to use to reduce ongoing support.

DocDutch · 01-11-2005, 09:53

Win95 wont work for Wireless you will need at least Win98SE before you could even think of going wireless at all.

hard truth but I tried and failed all the time.

altis · 01-11-2005, 10:11

Just about anything can use a wireless bridge such as one of these:

ftp://ftp10.dlink.com/pdfs/products/...WL-G810_ds.pdf

Erichero · 01-11-2005, 23:33

Basically, if we can avoid paying ÃƒÆ’Ã†â€™ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…Â¡ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£100 for windows (with a HD), or more for a new system, we will. The D-link is an interesting option at about ÃƒÆ’Ã†â€™ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…Â¡ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£55-ÃƒÆ’Ã†â€™ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…Â¡ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£60.

What about avoiding the USB issue by simply getting a wireless PCI adaptor. Will that work with Win95?

SMHarman · 02-11-2005, 00:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jon M

The OP was after a wireless capable solution

If I make a recommendation to Joe Average User, I generally choose the most current OS for compatability and also the most easy to use to reduce ongoing support.

Surely a wireless PCI card instead of a plain ol Cable Ether PCI card will do the same job and look the same to the computer?

02-11-2005, 00:39

I would be worried about finding a driver that will work on a wireless pci card with win 95 ??

chambece · 02-11-2005, 07:24

I would unfortunately agree with Jon and Zinglebarb, and start to look at getting a new PC. I would hazard a guess that a PC that is currently running W95 is barely up to running W98, let alone XP, plus, as zinglebarb said, it'd be unlikely you could get drivers new hardware you might buy.

The only thing you might get away with is a network card if it's not already got one and a bridge.