HELP PLEASE!! How do I connect an old PC to Broadband?

Hi right I know a lot of people on here are computer wizards and really need your help.

I just found one of my old PCs its about 5 - 7 years old. Its running Windows 98 and its got a few USB ports a floppy disc and cd drive and a ethanet port. I used to use it on dial-up connection a few years ago.

I have now got virgin broadband. What it is I said to my nan and granddad they can have to brows the internet. So I have cleaned it up for them and stuff but here is the problem.

Before I tell them to go and get broadband installed I hooked it up to mine to make sure it can go on the internet. I pluged it all in and pluged the ethanet cable in the back of the pc and the other end into the back of the router but noting. Am a noob at PCs and stuff and have no idea what specs are and stuff.

So how do I get this old PC hooked up to broadband please help.

P.S If this is in the wrong place please mods move it to the right place thanks.

 

Does the PC recognise that it's attached to the router and does it get given an IP address?

 

Hi m8 I don't know how do I fined out if it can fined my Ip?

Someone told me to go on Network Settings and click on Dont dial up but I just cannot fined these settings.

 

If you've plugged the PC into the router with a network cable there should be a light on the router to indicate that it's at least attached (for example, if you plugged into port 2, the light for port 2 should light up and perhaps flash occasionally). Go into network connections and you should see a 'Local Area Connection', which is the connection to your routr. If you don't, the driver for the network may not be installed.
Unfortunately it's been years since I've used Win98 so I can't remember the exact location of the rest of the settings.

 

Thanks ill have a little look tomorrow I know the light was flashing on the port I put it in. Anyhow I forgot to say there is some kined of modem inside the PC its self do I have to disable that or something? if so how?

 

There may be a dialup modem as well which could be taking priority, you should be able to disable dialing however, and not need to disable the modem completely (although the latter may actually be the simpler approach)

 

Hi thanks for replying I have found the dont dial ever button but still noting any other ideas?

 

Have you checked to see if the network connection is actually there and active?

 

Am a noob at this kined off stuff how do I do this?

 

Ok.. just go the usual way.. get IP address automatically, but then with 98 there is a difference... see the little box that says "connect through proxy server"? select it and it will connect. Like magic it is.. no need for any proxy settings. The OS seems to see a router or modem as a proxy. Probably just the way they used terms differently 10 years ago

http://www.ust.hk/itsc/ResNet/setup_w98ME.html

Rely on us old timers who were doing networks back then eh?

ps.. avast antivirus works well on 98.. and you really do need to secure the OS as it is extremely vulnerable.
You might find linux to be a better option for an older machine.

 

Hi thanks how would I fined out my Ip address? and am a complete noob at computers whats Linux and how do I get it lol thanks.

 

Haha afraid so Varnull, my first computer had win98 - suffice to say I didn't really mess with PCs back then. I had XP by the time I'd actually started adding my own components etc...

 

Hi guys I think I found out why I cannot get this PC online. I clicked on Add hardware and it found a PCI Ethernet Controller so I tried to install it buy it said windows could not fined a drive for it. How can I get a drive for it.

I have another problem a friend of mine put a dvd drive in it for me the drive opens and stuff but when I put a disc in like a cd or dvd or even a instillation disc noting happens why is this?

 

For 1, you need to find the driver from the manufacturer's website, for 2, you need to enable Autoplay.

 

Hi and where do I fined auto play? I don't know who the manufacturer is and how would I get on there website If I cant on the internet on the PC.

 

Do you have a driver CD for the PC?

 

I did but for some reason it would not open it was like no power was going into the drive. So my m8 put in a DVD drive it opens but say if I put a DVD or a Cd in noting happens.

 

Check in my computer and see if the disc is recognised, double clicking the icon of the CD drive should start the process.

 

Hi thanks but when I go to My computer all is says there is floppy disc.

P.S varnull I have sent you a PM.

 

Perhaps the CD drive is not installed either... :S