accessing internet with windows 98 and a USB ethernet adaptor

[jh3530]

Hello, my apologies for the lame question, but I can't seem to figure this one out.

I was recently given a laptop from my inlaws that is running windows 98. I wanted to get internet access on it, but it only had a telephone jack. I bought a USB ethernet adapter thinking this would solve the problem, but alas, it just sits there.

It used to have a pcmcia card / adapter, but that got lost somehow.

Can I use the USB ethernet adapter? I have run an ethernet cable from a port on the router to the USB adaptor, I loaded up the driver that came with the adapter.

Is there something in the Windows 98 control panel that I need to adjust or is this a lost cause?

Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks

[harshadd]

Some options are as below:
1. Install XP and enjoy, if it has at least 128 MB or Ram.
2. If cant upgrade to XP use data card to connect internet. Data cards comes with own drivers.
3. Use WIFi by terminating your internet service on WiFi router.
a. If inbuilt WiFi is not avialable you can insert a Pcmci or USB WiFi.
b. If inbuilt WiFi is there use it.

for more suggestions pls revert with model no and make of laptop. so that one can suggest you what else can be done with your Laptop.

Rgds
HarshadD

[arnaudk]

Can I use the USB ethernet adapter? I have run an ethernet cable from a port on the router to the USB adaptor, I loaded up the driver that came with the adapter.

First off, you should ensure the usb adapter is correctly installed. Check the device manager (control panel->System->Device manager tab). You should see the ethernet adapter listed there. If you are unsure the adapter listed corresponds to the USB adapter, unplug it and it should disappear.

Now, when you plug the cables in, a light on the router should come on to indicate that a cable is plugged in and the computer is switched on. If your USB adapter has lights as well, then one of them at least should come on to reflect this as well.

At this point, everything should be working on a hardware level, and we can proceed with debugging the network connection itself if you still have problems.

[harshadd]

Apart from what arnaudk says, do this too.........
Also you need to see if TCPIP is properly installed, one easiest way to do this is:
Start - run - cmd
This will take you on command prompt
issue the following command
ping localhost
if it worked +vely your TCPIP network is working.This will ensure that you are into SOME TcpIp network.
This dose not means that you should be able to connect immediatly, you may need to configure this network for your ISP. There could be other possibilities that you need to trouble shoot after this if it did not worked.

rgds Harshad Dandekar