Recommend me an ISA network card that works with Windows 3.x

[yukichigai]

I found what could best be described as a "cute" system in a parking lot, an old Gateway 2000 running a BLAZING FAST 486 DX/2 processor. I figured what the heck, why not try to get it online. I've got most of the components assembled -- Sound Card, CD-Rom, even a true Roland MU-401 -- but I'm having difficulty locating an ISA network card that works Win 3.x, or to be more accurate, an ISA network card that you can still find Windows 3.x drivers for. I figured this would be a good start on places to ask. So... yeah, who has some ideas?

EDIT: That's "difficultly locating" as in "figuring out which one will work". Though if you know of a place that has ISA NICs you know work with Win 3.x for cheap do let me know.

 

[Fardringle]

I wish you had asked this about a month ago. I just threw away a box of at least a dozen old ISA NICs a couple of weeks ago, and I'm sure that at least one of them would have worked for you... 🙁

As far as finding a new ISA NIC for sale now, I'd be surprised if you could come up with much at all. You might get lucky with something in the FS/FT (For Sale/For Trade) forum here, or on eBay...


Edit: A quick search came up with this page that says it has WFW 3.11 drivers for the Aopen AON-101 10/100 16Bit ISA card. If you can find one for sale, that might work for you. Shentech claims to have a new one for sale for $13.99 plus shipping (shipping shows as $7.50 to me in Utah) but that's pretty spending for just a NIC for a simple 'project' PC in my opinion. You might be able to find something better with a little more searching...

 

[yukichigai]

Finding them isn't a problem; I just need to know which ones to look for. I've found a wonderful outlet for olde-school hardware in the San Jose Bay Area called Weird Stuff. I've bought so much stuff there, from the bizzarely outdated (loads of Token Ring equipment, LPT-based Sound Cards, a Snappy, 700k floppies, etc) to the delightfully overlooked. (A 20" CRT for $40, a 28" TV Monitor -- TV with no tuner, just A/V inputs -- for $30) They have TONS of ISA ethernet cards; I doubt I'll have trouble finding them.

I'll make sure to keep y'all updated on my progress, ideally by posting from the machine once it's completed and running.