need to change from new to old comp, but no ethernet connection on old computer

[jennifer619]

i am unsure what topic to post this under, so i'm posting here and on the 'networking site'...

yes, i know nothing about what i need - but here it goes anyway! i have an older computer - an etower 533 w/windows 98 that is not in use at the moment...currentley i am using a dell dimension 8400 with an ethernet connection...my problem is that i will be needing to hook up my old computer in place of the dell, but my old computer has no ethernet connection...

i had a cable idiot out here yesterday who literally handed over a usb cable and a disk and said 'you have a 50/50 shot of it working out for you'...what the heck is that?? i tried the cable w/disk and couldn't even get into it because for some reason my old modem didn't even have adobe installed - went to install it and came up with an error message..

so, please - i'm praying there is a simple and very cheap fix for my issue...someone mentioned getting a network card...does that seem correct? and if i do that, will i run into the same problem with the dumb adobe not installing?

many thanx to any help!

[patio]

You need a NIC PCI card for the Win98 machine...about 10 to 15 bucks.

[deep]

What? An eithernet card and a modem are two different things.  Do you need the ethernet? Do you have anything connected to it now?  The modem should just install into your other computer just fine.  I am gathering by your lack of explantion that you have an external modem that connects thru the ethernet (or network card) and that is how it communicates with the dell.  Or do you have high speed internet that uses the ethernet?  And why do you want a modem anyway?  Dial up sucks.  If you are trying to install the modem, with no ethernet, and if you dont need the ethernet, then just open the side of your dell and see if you have any avaialbe PCI slots.  Those are the slots with the rest of the cards in them.  Shut down the computer, slam it in and reboot, should find it and install the driver from there.  YOu are not doing a very good of explaining your problem though.  What are you trying to do and why?  Why do you need the ethernet?  Etc,

[jennifer619]

sorry about the lack of sufficient explanation...pretty sure i mentioned i didn't know what i was talking about 'deep'...

my subject line was wrong and i apologize - no modem issues - just need an ethernet connection on my old computer....

thanx patio for your reply as well...

[patio]

You're Welcome...feel free to ignore the post above.

[elxr06]

sorry about the lack of sufficient explanation...pretty sure i mentioned i didn't know what i was talking about 'deep'...

my subject line was wrong and i apologize - no modem issues - just need an ethernet connection on my old computer....

thanx patio for your reply as well...

Ok, so you just need ethernet connection. What you need is to go buy a ethernet card.

This is Amazon's link to ethernet cards (so you can be sure you're looking at the right item you need):
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_kk_2/102-6548588-3587311?ie=UTF8&search-alias=electronics&field-keywords=ethernet%20card

And I guess you already know you need the ethernet cables.

[jennifer619]

thank you for the replies!! i looked at a few online and the specs say i need windows 2000,vista,etc...basically everything but what i have! on the computer i'll be using, i have windows 98 - will the card not work unless i download a newer version of the windows? i also went on a microsoft site to see if i can download it to a disc so i can transfer it to my old computer, but there is so many different versions i have no idea which one is the basic one i need...

help again please!

[WillyW]

thank you for the replies!! i looked at a few online and the specs say i need windows 2000,vista,etc...basically everything but what i have! on the computer i'll be using, i have windows 98 -     ...

Fret not!   

I too have Win98.   Using it right now,  connected via a PCI NIC (Network Interface Card),  like patio recommended.

They are fairly cheap.
Example:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833180025
Looks like that one is 3.99 and shipping is 4.99.
More here:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2000400027&bop=And&Order=PRICE

I happen to have one of those Encore nics.  Not exactly that model number.    Works fine for me.
I do think it is an el-cheapo card though.    If you feel you need a specific brand name or model number recommendation,  wait for patio.
I think that if you are unfamiliar with this stuff,  you might not want to get the cheapest,  but the easiest to work with. 
I just wanted to show you a real example.

By the way,  that vendor - Newegg -  is often highly recommended.

If you have a computer shop locally,  it might be best to buy a NIC from them.    I did.   By the time I paid shipping,  then twiddled my thumbs waiting.... to save 3 or 4 dollars wasn't worth it to me.

You might also check Staples, if you have one nearby.   They usually have some in stock too.