[arbee4bush]

Anyway to the computer problem. This laptop is running on Win 98 which I reformatted and installed. Now the trouble I am having is that I can't access the internet since it is only capable of using phone modem. I have no internet account like AOL (yeck-phtooey) since I am on cable and using our local cable access. I tried to download Firefox with my computer, save to a CD to install on the laptop. No luck. Tried to download Netzero, but it said Internet Explorer must be at least version 5. The laptop has version 4. Tried to update IE with my computer--saved to a CD, but still, it won't download on the laptop. Any ideas what steps I can take to get this laptop usable for my nephew? There has to be some way to do updates. I was thinking of trying to get a cable modem card, but nowhere to install in the laptop..it's an old Toshiba from around 1999 or so.

My nephews name is Noah and prayers sure would be a help too. Thanks for any help anyone can offer.

[Tuscaloosa Goldfinch]

pinging to put on prayer list

[Malsua]

Your message left it unclear as to what the problem is.

If you have cable/dsl at home, attach it to your network and update it.

If you have a problem getting it to recognize a network adapter that's one problem.

If you need a dialup account, there's really nothing to do other than get one.

My suggestion, maybe you can get a wireless adapter installed and with luck find an unsecured host nearby that he can get on.

[Tuscaloosa Goldfinch]

Hi, there is a computer help list here -- I will try and locate someone from that original thread and maybe they can help.

Prayers indeed going up for your nephew.

[mm201]

The ISP that I use for for my DSL also provides a dial-up number. You might check your ISP's website to see if they offer something similar. I think that you would use the same login information for the dial-up access that you use for your DSL account.

As for updating IE. The executable file that you download gets the necessary updates from Microsoft servers. Be prepared for a very large file download.

[RandallFlagg]

I don't know if there's anyone on your list that could help, but it's worth a try.

[Tribune7]

ping

[mm201]

One more thing. If you have a few bucks and a Best Buy or Circuit City nearby you can get USB network adapters. I don't think they're more than $15 if memory serves me correctly.

Make sure that anything you purchase is Win98 compatible. Just as a guess you might need to go to the manufacturers website to get drivers for Win98, but it sounds like you have putting files on disks down-pat so this shouldn't be a problem for you.

[Straight Vermonter]

Can any of your pingees help?

[Incorrigible]

Is it really worth your time and aggravation to get this relic working? It probably won't even play the games your nephew would be interested in.

I would look here:
http://computers.listings.ebay.com/Laptops_Notebooks_W0QQfromZR4QQsacatZ51148QQsocmdZListingItemList

[spunkets]

You can use netzero free internet access. Just use your computer to sign up, then get an access number for your area. Setup windows dialup networking from the control panel with the new login, password and access number. That's good for 10 free hours/month.

[AntiGuv]

Can't you just go find one of those free AOL discs and use it to get online with dial-up so you can do updates, and then ditch AOL before the free trial is up? I know AOL sucks something awful, but that's what I would do.

[Old_Mil]

Although your computer may be an older computer, it's sure to have an ethernet port. My advice would be to take the machine to a friend who has a highspeed cable or DSL connection with a router and plug in to the router.

Go here:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/Browse.aspx?displaylang=en&productID=E884B137-98CA-464B-964D-1BDDCAF3081A

and download the updates you need for Windows 98. That will save you a *bunch* of time.

Also, although '99 was a while ago in computer terms, a 99 vintage laptop should have a PCMCIA slot in which you could install a wireless card. If there is a wireless hotspot, you should be able to install an 802.11b PCMCIA card and get him highspeed internet access through that hotspot.

Just be careful and get an older PCMCIA card - a 16 bit card that doesn't require cardbus would be ideal.

[cva66snipe]

I read through the replies. I would look for a family member or friend who wouldn't mind doing the dial up route. ISP.com is highly reliable IMO for Dial-up service and is Cheap{less than $10 a month dial up. Some considerations. Unless the hospital has internet access he'll have to use dial-up anyway right? Be sure to remember to configure modem properties for the out going call pre-fix the hospital uses.

If you want to shorten the downloads just get it on line with dial-up and try to download Firefox that way. You may not be downloading the right version on Firefox for the laptop O.S.

Prayers said for the boy.

[cva66snipe]

One other possibility is checking on Linux. I don't know enough about it's requirements to help on that. But theres plenty in here that do.

[KoRn]

Given the situation you are in; talk to the hospital staff and see if they can get their on site IT department to help you. Being a Network Admin at a hospital myself, I'm sure they would be happy to help you out under those circumstances.

[KoRn]

Tech help ping.

[ShadowAce]

I was off-line last night and N3WBI3 (the owner of this list) is working on some personal issues.

[Gone_Postal]

if you recieved a CD from netzero it should than connect to the internet and ask you for the info it will need in order to give you an account.

[tubebender]

I helped my sister get on a dialup a couple of weeks ago. I called earthlink and they walked me through the set up. If you don't have 2 phone lines call on your cell phone because you should have 1 line freed up for the connection.

Her puter was a newer Mac but your process should be similar...

[roaddog727]

Howdy,

I would expect the laptop should have a PCMCIA slot. with this slot and a PCMCIA credit card you could access the hospital local area network which would have a gateway out to the internet.

Failing that, you really need to upgrade the browser to IE6.0. Do this the same way with a PCMCIA card network adapter on YOUR network at home. On your cable modem you should have an ethernet connection that connects the modem to your home computer.

If you need more assistance/guidance, please feel free to freep me.