Noob question - first time setting up wireless network

[rocketbubba]

I'm brand new to networking and I'm having trouble getting a small network (2 computers) to work and would like some advice if possible. I've looked all through the forums and found a little bit of help but not all that I need. What I'm trying to do is set up a simple network between my main machine running XP Pro and my backup machine running Win 98 SE. I bought a Netgear wireless router, set it up and hooked it to my main machine via a CAT5 cable - no apparent problems there. The problem is with the backup machine. I bought and installed a PCI wireless adapter and can't get it to work. Windows sees it and the card powers up (based on the lights on the card) but there doesn't appear to be any signal. The installation software seemed to install correctly and the signal strength bars appear in the tray but that's about it. Is Windows 98 SE capable of operating a wireless network? If so, what do I need to do to set it up. Right now all I've done is go into Control Panel - Network and set up the protocols. I guess what I really need is a tutorial for setting up a wireless PCI adapter in Windows 98 SE.

Sorry for such a lame question - I'm just completely new to this and the manuals that came with the equipment I bought don't really help. Thanks for any input.

 

[JackMDS]

Start by putting the Win98 computer next to the Wireless Router to make sure that noise and distance do not interfere with the Wireless initial installation. Use the cable connected computer to configure the Wireless Router for Wireless communication.

The PCI card should create a Network installation similar to regular wires card on Win98.

The Icon on the tray bar is generated by the manufacturer utility. Since Win98 does not support Wireless natively, the utility is needed for the configuration. The utility would work only if the card and Win98 Network is installed and function correctly.

Take a look at this page there links concerning Win98, http://www.ezlan.net/Installing.html

For Wireless.

Wireless - Basic Configuration.

Wireless Security for the Home User.

:sun:

 

[rocketbubba]

Thanks very much for the information. I'll take a look.

 

[rocketbubba]

I managed to get the Win98 machine's wireless card working. I found the setup screen and found the router and then established a connection - full signal bars and everything. All was looking good there so I went back to the host computer but couldn't seem to establish a connection with the client computer. I checked everything and still couldn't get them to talk. After working on it for awhile and getting frustrated, I shut it all down for a little while and when I came back to it later the client computer (Win98) booted up normally until it got to the wireless card and then it locked. I tried it three more times and it locked up every time. :disgust: Anybody have an idea why the Win98 machine locks up when it tries to load the wireless card?

 

[rocketbubba]

A friend suggested that the problem with the wireless PCI card might be an IRQ problem. I'm going to move the card to a different slot and also I'm thinking of upgrading that machine to XP. Wow, this is a lot of work!!

 

[rocketbubba]

On the win98 machine I went into Safe Mode, uninstalled the drivers, and then reinstalled them. This seems to work better although it still locks up occassionally. Would going to Windows XP help? By the way, I was able to map a drive from my main machine to the other one and view folders/files from there so I am starting to get the machines to talk to each other.

 

[JackMDS]

Originally posted by: rocketbubba
On the win98 machine I went into Safe Mode, uninstalled the drivers, and then reinstalled them. This seems to work better although it still locks up occassionally. Would going to Windows XP help?

If it is a lame PCI card then nothing will help.

However, in general WinXP handles better IRQ, has more solid drivers, and better Network capacity.

So, it is your call.

:sun:

 

[rocketbubba]

Upgraded the Win98 machine to WinXP. Works fine now - problem solved.