Wireless adaptors and cards?

Are there any wireless adaptors and cards that really work with win98 original ? This is for a desktop. I see USB adaptors but they say win98SE. What about PCI adaptors?

Thanks,

Marv

 

I recommend going with PCI network devices whenever possible. They're a little more trouble to install...open the case, physically install the card into a PCI slot, install the drivers...than USB...plug the device into the USB slot and it's supposed to work without additional fanfare...but in my experience PCI is a lot more likely to actually work.

That said, the determining factor is what kind of ports/slots you have on your computer. Check to see how many USB ports you have and whether you already have any USB devices. I've worked on several machines in which there are 2 or more USB ports but only one USB device at a time will work. If you have no USB ports, you can add them with a USB card into one of the PCI slots but if you're going to do that, may as well use a PCI network adapter in the first place.

You do need to open the computer case and make sure you have one or more empty PCI slots.

 

Thanks Miz, don't know a lot , but it is my understanding that I would need an adaptor to install in the PCI slot, and a network card to install in the adaptor. My USB in win98 is 1.2 not 2.0 and is not reliable. My scanner works sometimes and sometimes it does not. My concern is will win98 original not SE support the adaptor and card?

Marv

 

The wireless cards I've seen are just that...PCI cards that fit into the standard PCI slot that all modern computers have. Some have an antenna that sticks out of the back of the computer case. Granted, some of them look like they're piggy-backed onto a standard PCI card.

If you decide to buy, just don't pay too much. D-link wireless cards can be had online (check pricewatch.com) for under $20, for example. A wireless D-link router can be found for around $60.

I'm not recommending D-link, it's just that those are the prices I found first.

 

Thanks for the info. I was looking at a linksys adaptor(in illustration it appears to have a slot to plug in card and instructions say to install together) which said it was compatible with win95 and win98 for about $50.00 and the card which plugs in to it was about $70.00. I will look for something cheaper.

Marv