Win 98/Broadband query

You can use Win98 original, there is no need of second edition as long as your network hardware is supported by Win98 original: check if there are drivers for Win98. If not: just buy a network card which is supported by Win98. You may have to configure your network settings manually.

- Jun

I'm using Windows 98 [not SE] and spent most of yesterday evening researching broadband. I don't recall seeing any problems with Win98 for the ISPs I looked into. I hope I didn't miss something - must go and check!

Incidentally, I have chosen Tiscali (despite the fact that they grabbed £10 without explanation last time they were my ISP) because they happen to meet my slightly restrictive requirements. However, judging by what I read the following list might be a good starting point for most people: http://www.adslguide.org.uk/

The problem may be in using a USB modem with Win98. The easy solution is to use Ethernet and a modem/router. Then the Win98 machine will just work. This is also the preferred setup.

Paul

BT broadband enclose a USB modem with the package, this is what I was trying to load etc. I'll get an ethernet card.

Thanks for the advice.

Bruce

If you have a PC without USB support you can get PCI-card ADSL modems which fit inside the PC. There's usually plenty on eBay at around £20.

David

Bruce,

All the preceding advice is good stuff but I would also add the following thoughts:

1) Win98 is relatively unsupported nowadays (Win98SE has plenty of support) and whilst many security alerts pass it by it is also seen by many as the first step to a modern 32 bit OS and vulnerable unless either properly patched or upgraded to W98SE, which is really a painless operation. An always on broadband connection requires a greater degree of thought as to security precautions (although it shouldn't) so think about whether W98 is really where you want to stay.

2) The issue with W98 was the lack of USB support. You can sort your network issue with a PCI card etc. but have you checked whether your motherboard and BIOS supports USB? If it does then a quick upgrade to Win98SE is very worthwhile because, even though it may only support USB 1.0, you are missing the opportunity to add a certain amount of connectivity to your PC and thus extend it's life even further. Depends what else you do with it of course but it's just a thought.

Mike H.

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Originally posted by Mike Hughes:
Bruce,

All the preceding advice is good stuff but I would also add the following thoughts:

1) Win98... ...vulnerable unless either properly patched or upgraded to W98SE, which is really a painless operation.

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I have tried (from time to time) to find Win98SE for about two years. So far, I haven't been able to find it actually available (as opposed to advertised) for less than £80. One advertiser with a more reasonable price (£25) vanished into the ether when I asked whether the manual with Microsoft hologram was included...

quote:

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An always on broadband connection requires a greater degree of thought as to security precautions (although it shouldn't) so think about whether W98 is really where you want to stay.

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That's one reason why I originally intended to sign up with Pipex - you don't have a fixed IP address, making you less vulnerable to systematic attacks.

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2) The issue with W98 was the lack of USB support.

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I haven't had any problems with Win98 and USB. Both my scanner and printer are connected via USB. Is there some USB problem that will affect broadband?

Although Win98 did provide support for USB 1.0, the SE upgrade improves on this considerably, particuarly in respect of the Plug & Play facilities. However, because they're both built on DOS neither platform is anywhere near as stable as Win2000 or XP.

Officially full support for Win98, 98SE and ME ended in Jan 2004. Under customer pressure MicroSoft agreed to extend support for security critical issues on all 3 OSs until Jun 2006. Non security critical updates will not be made routinely available!

It's not very easy to find Win98SE upgrade packs these days at sensible prices and if it's going to cost you money to upgrade to SE, personally I'd bite the bullet and skip to XP Home, providing your PC meets the min equipment requirements.

David

Yeah - I agree with Nick, far less aggro that way (possibly).

David

Gosh, the solution to everything. Buy a new one! Now I know I'm in a hi-fi forum!!!

Anyway, best answer above seems to come from Mr. Stewart. For the cost of a Win98SE upgrade you could go to XP, however, it really does depend on what else, if anything, you do with the PC and the spec. of said PC. It may be overkill for your purposes David. What you're really paying for is the ability to run different software and ease of securing what you have. You need to balance all that up.

I should also add that not having a fixed IP address is useful but no guarantee against security threats. An older OS will always be more vulnerable on balance.

Mike

Thnaks for the help.

A few things-firstly the BT USB modem arrived and Broadband now runs on my XP Laptop perfectly-so well that the first log-in resulted in the Sasser worm infecting it. I've now spent an hour dealing with that. Why on earth doesn't the connection default to enabling the firewall when first used! Grrr

As for my office PC, I have a copy of Win 98SE. I do not know yet if it will run as an upgrade or need a 'ground up' install.

Queries;

What is this about an upgrade patch available to take you from 98 to Win 98SE?

My current PC has USB enabled despite being Win 98. Anything to stop me downloading the modem driver from BT, plugging it into the USB port and trying to install it? What else will be on the BT disc (which refuses to run on 98)? Surely I can just copy the network connection settings from my laptop installation and create a new connection.

My afternoon 'off' is rapidly evaporating.

Bruce

If you put in the 98se CD and run setup, or let it autorun, it should detect you already have a OS and give you the option to upgrade. I think it's been a while since I played with 98.

Andy

Astonishing, it actually worked.

I note the comments about security made by some. One reason I was happy to stick with Win98 for now was that i assumed most viruses are aimed at newer OS.

Thanks team.


Bruce

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One reason I was happy to stick with Win98 for now was that i assumed most viruses are aimed at newer OS.

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Most newly written viruses are written to try to exploit vunerabilities in XP, you are correct there, As XP is upgraded with security patches it becomes vunerable to a lower number of Viruses. However 98 will be vunerable to 80-90% of those viruses written for XP and probably doesn't have the required patches hence probably 80% of all viruses out there stand a chance with 98.

You need a firewall and Anti Virus software, which it sounds like you have.

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Originally posted by Bruce Woodhouse:
Astonishing, it actually worked.

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Well done!

Less astonishingly, mine didn't. Tiscali's technical support claims the failure of their modem drivers to install properly is due to hardware conflicts on my PC: on the device list there are question marks (with inset exclamation marks) against "PCI Input Controller" and "PCI USB". However, these appear to be due to drivers not being installed - drivers that are also described as not being required. The "resources" info for both devices says "No conflicting devices". Since my PC has been working faultlessly with other USB devices, I can't help feeling skeptical about what tech support says but as I don't understand any of it I have to assume they know what they're talking about...

I've downloaded a "USB 2.0 for Windows 98SE" driver from the motherboard manufacturer and I've finally found a copy of Windows 98SE for £42, and am hoping against hope that one or both will solve the problem. Next plan: try out another modem, if I can buy one on a trial basis...

The whole point of upgrading to broadband was so that I could save money in the long run by giving up my own telephone line and using broadband on the household line. The whole thing is a nightmare - especially as I'm stuck with a year's subscription to broadband.

Success! (In case anyone was thinking of offering advice).

Earlier mention of a router is still a good idea because it acts as a domestic firewall at the same time as providing true ethernet 10/100 networking and multiple computer internet access plus if you have the patience to fiddle around, printer sharing.

If you have at least 2 computers it is a good investment to consider and not expensive.

I don't homestly know if it is a completely secure firewall but I have been running broadband now for over 12 months and have had no "nasties" such as virus infections or attempts to take over my computer(s) via the internet.

regards
Geoff

PS your new broad band connection will make no difference to how slow this forum is !!!

Listening every day planning to "not fade away"

[This message was edited by Geoff P on Wed 23 June 2004 at 19:46.]