Computer Hope

Hardware => Hardware => Topic started by: happyfaces on December 20, 2006, 01:56:19 AM

Title: Old laptop, wireless?
Post by: happyfaces on December 20, 2006, 01:56:19 AM

My laptop was recently damaged beyond what I'm willing to pay for repair. It would be extremely unwise for me to spend *any* money on even a used one right now.  So, I did the only thing I could.  I apologized to the nice people on freecycle and then begged them for an unwanted laptop.  This is a temporary solution, which I expect to last only a few months.  Hence, my extreme cheapness.  :)

I was given an old Toshiba Satellite Pro 435CDS running Windows 98.  I can deal with this.  However, I'm moving into a building with free wireless internet, and I'd love to take advantage of this, even on a dinosauric machine.  The guy who gave me this mentioned that wireless would not be an option.  Can anyone confirm this or explain why not?  I'll settle, but if I can buy a wireless PCMCIA, that would make my pathetic week.

Thanks in advance!

Title: Re: Old laptop, wireless?
Post by: street1 (RIP) on December 20, 2006, 03:39:20 AM

Do you have an available 32-bit PCMCIA slot?

Title: Re: Old laptop, wireless?
Post by: happyfaces on December 20, 2006, 11:40:23 AM

It's 16-bit, I believe.  Aren't there 16-bit wireless cards?

Title: Re: Old laptop, wireless?
Post by: fffreak on December 20, 2006, 11:49:49 AM

Yes, there are 16-bit wireless cards (http://www.ovislink.com/newovislink/Products/Wireless/PCMCIA16bit/WPC16.asp).

Title: Re: Old laptop, wireless?
Post by: happyfaces on December 20, 2006, 12:06:16 PM

Hm.  Is there any reason I might not be able to use something like that?

Title: Re: Old laptop, wireless?
Post by: fffreak on December 20, 2006, 12:14:14 PM

Nope, you can, look here (http://www.impactcomputers.com/toshiba-satellite-pro-435cds-parts.html), click accessories.

Title: Re: Old laptop, wireless?
Post by: happyfaces on December 20, 2006, 12:33:24 PM

http://cgi.ebay.com/Proxim-ORINOCO-Silver-16-bit-WiFi-Wi-Fi-Wireless-Card_W0QQitemZ120066889322QQihZ002QQcategoryZ45000QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Would that work?

P.S.  Again, many thanks!

Title: Re: Old laptop, wireless?
Post by: fffreak on December 20, 2006, 12:34:25 PM

It should if it is a legit seller and you trust him.

[edit]And he is (http://myworld.ebay.com/home_equity_restoration/), atleast that is what I think from user opinions.[/edit]

Title: Re: Old laptop, wireless?
Post by: happyfaces on December 20, 2006, 01:48:10 PM

How about USB?  Is that possible?

Title: Re: Old laptop, wireless?
Post by: Calum on December 20, 2006, 01:49:53 PM

A USB wireless adapter is possible, and easy to fit, but a internal wireless card like the one suggested by fffreak would be neater and probably better.
I'd say go with the internal one unless you have a reason to go with USB instead.