Windows 98 Questions

[theman5725]

I'm not sure if this is the right section of the forum for this, but I couldn't think of anything better. I know this is a Mac forum, but it's still the best computer forum I know of, and I figured maybe somebody has an answer.

Anyways, today I was just offered (and accepted) free, old, PC (Pentium II) that is now running Windows 98. I have various reasons for wanting this, but that's besides the point here.

My first, and most important question, is about connecting to the internet. I have a linksys-usb wireless network adapter, that I tried to install so the PC could connect to my router downstairs, but I have discovered it is not compatible with 98. Due to my setup, I can't use a cable to connect the PC directly to the router. I can however, use a cable to connect the PC and my MacBook, which is only a couple of feet away. This may sound a bit far-fetched, but is there a way to access the internet through my Mac? The MacBook is wirelessly connected to the interet, but though maybe through an ethernet cable I could connect the PC.

Another (but less important) question I have is concercning the display and colors. I'm using a fairly old HP display I have sitting around that ran XP for awhile, at a 1024x768 res. The Windows 98 PC is only outputting at 640x480, and at 16 bit color. I know this is not the maximum because some basic parts of the operating system's colors are all messed up because of this. There is a sticker on the computer saying it is designed for 98, so I know my specs are good enough.

I understand if nobody knows the answers to either question, but I figured why not give it a shot here.

 

[danny_w]

1. Yes, you can use the Macbook to provide internet access, just enable Internet Sharing in the Macbook system preferences pane. Select Sharing from the Internet & Network settings, and then select the Internet tab. In the drop-down box "Share Connecton From" select airport, and then check the box by Built-in Ethernet. Then click Start and it should allow the Win98 computer to share the internet connection over ethernet.

2. Did you mean 16-colors or 16-bit (64k) colors? If you meant 16-color (4-bit) mode, then the computer is most like using the generic PCI Video driver. You will need to know what type of video card you have and get the proper driver for it. Most PC's will show the video card type briefly during power-up as the video bios loads, or you may have to take the computer apart to find out what type of card is inside. Then download the proper video driver and install it.

 

[cayley]

1. Yes, you can use the Macbook to provide internet access, just enable Internet Sharing in the Macbook system preferences pane. Select Sharing from the Internet & Network settings, and then select the Internet tab. In the drop-down box "Share Connecton From" select airport, and then check the box by Built-in Ethernet. Then click Start and it should allow the Win98 computer to share the internet connection over ethernet.

That's neat. Does this need a crosslink cable?

 

[danny_w]

That's neat. Does this need a crosslink cable?

No, the Macbook autosenses the cable setting and switches automatically. Apple has had this for years; I'm still waiting for PC cards to get this feature.

 

[cayley]

No, the Macbook autosenses the cable setting and switches automatically. Apple has had this for years; I'm still waiting for PC cards to get this feature.

Very, very neat. Learn something new everyday. Thanks

 

[theman5725]

I've enabled Internet sharing in OS X, but I'm not sure where I would go in Win98 to set it up. I still can't connect to the internet on the Win98 computer.

 

[danny_w]

I've enabled Internet sharing in OS X, but I'm not sure where I would go in Win98 to set it up. I still can't connect to the internet on the Win98 computer.

Win98 should just be set for a LAN connection. Unless it was previously setup for a modem it should just work.

Oops, I just read this note: In order to share your Internet connection and allow computers connected to your Internet connection to browse the web, you also need to turn on Personal Web Sharing on the Services pane of Sharing preferences.

If it still doesn't work, the problem may be IP addresses. I don't know if the Macbook will act as a DHCP server in this situation, but I know that Win98 cannot. What you may need to do is set a fixed address for both the Macbook ethernet port and the Win98 ethernet port:

1. On the Macbook under network settings, select Show Built-in Ethernet, select the TCP/IP tab, select Configure IPv4 Manually, and enter a fixed IP address (192.168.100.1 is probably a good choice).

2. On the Win98 computer, right-click Network Neighborhood and find the TCP/IP listing for the ethernet network card. Click Properties, and do the same thing as above but with a different address on the same subnet (such as 192.168.100.2). Win98 will then say it has to reboot.

After all of this you should get internet access on Win98.

 

[theman5725]

I tried all of your options but no results. I must say though, your knowledge of Windows 98 is really good! All of the exact locations and whatnot were accurate, I was surprised somebody knows all of that still.

Any other suggestions? I haven't really found an area in Windows 98 that is truely configurable the way XP is. A lot of Windows 98 is based around dial-up, but LAN and ethernet is mentioned, so I knwo it's possible.

 

[danny_w]

I tried all of your options but no results. I must say though, your knowledge of Windows 98 is really good! All of the exact locations and whatnot were accurate, I was surprised somebody knows all of that still.

Any other suggestions? I haven't really found an area in Windows 98 that is truely configurable the way XP is. A lot of Windows 98 is based around dial-up, but LAN and ethernet is mentioned, so I knwo it's possible.

I'm working on an iMac right now (G5) and I have a Win98 box that I can hook up and try. I'll let you know in a little while. And yes, my wife is still stuck on Win98 for various reasons and I have not (yet) been able to get her to change. But I'm working on it...

 

[danny_w]

OK, now I am posting from Win98. The settings were mostly as above, except with both the Mac and Win98 set to use DHCP. The Mac (I assume) assigned an IP address of 192.168.2.2 to the Win98 box and all was fine. I don't have anything else that could have provided a sunet .2 address, so I assume it must have been the Mac. Anyway, give this a try and see how it works. Remember to eale Persoal Web Sharing in the Sharing pane. Also remember to click Apply Now in the network pane when making changes.

 

[synth3tik]

What is this Windows 98, Is that some sappy French film?

 

[theman5725]

OK, now I am posting from Win98. The settings were mostly as above, except with both the Mac and Win98 set to use DHCP. The Mac (I assume) assigned an IP address of 192.168.2.2 to the Win98 box and all was fine. I don't have anything else that could have provided a sunet .2 address, so I assume it must have been the Mac. Anyway, give this a try and see how it works. Remember to eale Persoal Web Sharing in the Sharing pane. Also remember to click Apply Now in the network pane when making changes.

Alright, I have both the Mac and the PC set to use DHCP, but when I open Internet Explorer, it says I don't have a connection. Did you choose your internet connection anywhere in Win98? I looked around for a setting like that but couldn't find one.

 

[danny_w]

Alright, I have both the Mac and the PC set to use DHCP, but when I open Internet Explorer, it says I don't have a connection. Did you choose your internet connection anywhere in Win98? I looked around for a setting like that but couldn't find one.

You can select the internet connection via Internet Explorer under Options, but there is also a connection wizard under Start->Programs->Accessories->Communications->Internet Connection Wizard that may be the easier approach. It should be pretty self explanatory. You can also check to see if you have an IP address by clicking Start->Run and typing "winipcfg" without the quotes, then select your ethernet adapter in the dropdown box.

 

[theman5725]

You can select the internet connection via Internet Explorer under Options, but there is also a connection wizard under Start->Programs->Accessories->Communications->Internet Connection Wizard that may be the easier approach. It should be pretty self explanatory. You can also check to see if you have an IP address by clicking Start->Run and typing "winipcfg" without the quotes, then select your ethernet adapter in the dropdown box.

I checked my IP using winipcfg and I discoverd I have no IP. I looked around a bit and I think the problem is that my ethernet card or whatever does not have a proper driver. I'm not getting any options anywhere in the OS for ethernet, it's mostly dial-up. Any suggestions?

BTW, you've been a great help thus far, sorry to burden you with all the questions.

 

[danny_w]

I checked my IP using winipcfg and I discoverd I have no IP. I looked around a bit and I think the problem is that my ethernet card or whatever does not have a proper driver. I'm not getting any options anywhere in the OS for ethernet, it's mostly dial-up. Any suggestions?

BTW, you've been a great help thus far, sorry to burden you with all the questions.

Does the ethernet card show up in Device Manager? Right-click My Computer and clock Properties, then select the Device Manager tab. Under Network Adapters you should see your card listed as well as a Dial-up Adapter (don't remove this!). If it shows up with a yellow question mark, or it is listed under Unknown Devices, then it needs a driver to be installed. You need to find out the type of card and download the proper driver.

 

[theman5725]

Does the ethernet card show up in Device Manager? Right-click My Computer and clock Properties, then select the Device Manager tab. Under Network Adapters you should see your card listed as well as a Dial-up Adapter (don't remove this!). If it shows up with a yellow question mark, or it is listed under Unknown Devices, then it needs a driver to be installed. You need to find out the type of card and download the proper driver.

Yea I'm getting a yellow question mark. Any idea on how I could figure out the device and get the driver?

 

[danny_w]

Yea I'm getting a yellow question mark. Any idea on how I could figure out the device and get the driver?

About the only think you can do is to open the case and pull out the ethernet adapter card to identify it. It could be any of a hundred different kinds, so any guesses would be useless. There should probably be a sticker or label of some kind that identifies the manufacturer and hopefully a model number and revision. Then search for that make and model, usually at the manufacturer's website. I hope you have a working floppy drive (remember those?) on that machine. Unfortunately Win98 didn't support USB flash drives without installing a driver, and that puts you back in the same boat. Good luck with your "project".

 

[theman5725]

About the only think you can do is to open the case and pull out the ethernet adapter card to identify it. It could be any of a hundred different kinds, so any guesses would be useless. There should probably be a sticker or label of some kind that identifies the manufacturer and hopefully a model number and revision. Then search for that make and model, usually at the manufacturer's website. I hope you have a working floppy drive (remember those?) on that machine. Unfortunately Win98 didn't support USB flash drives without installing a driver, and that puts you back in the same boat. Good luck with your "project".

Do you think I could burn a CD with the drivers instead of using a floppy? I have a floppy drive, but no floppy discs.

 

[danny_w]

Do you think I could burn a CD with the drivers instead of using a floppy? I have a floppy drive, but no floppy discs.

As long as your CD works, it should be fine.

 

[SC68Cal]

Time to install Ubuntu