Wireless on Older laptop?

Breck · TweakNOOB Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 6

Hi,

I have been trying to set up a wirless network on an older laptop (Toshiba 166 - 80 megs ram) to go along with my PC which uses G syslink equipment. But for some reason, the syslink pcmcia card will not be recognized. I even tried two other card brands and the same issue. The laptop came with a 3 com megaherts wired net card and that is seen, but no wirless card shows up? Just wondering if there is some reason why and older computer card slot won't work with the newer wireless soft/hardware? Maybe 32bit vs 16 ???

Thanks!

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fussnfeathers · Lord of the Tweak Joined: 14 Dec 2004 Posts: 2763

More likely it's the power requirements. Your old laptop probably doesn't have the juice to power up a wireless card via PCIMA cards. Windows 98 (if the machine is that old) also doesn't support wireless very well, if at all.
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Breck · TweakNOOB Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 6

Each card I tried "said" Win 98 Second Addition was fine. But pehaps the
power is an issue. I forgot to say in the first post that, when I insert the older
wired 3 Com card, I get the typical "beep" when the connection is made. But when I tried the wireless card(s) - nothing! Does that support your theory any?

fussnfeathers · Lord of the Tweak Joined: 14 Dec 2004 Posts: 2763

Definitely......not enough power. Wireless cards require about double the power of a wired card, since they have the transmitter built in.
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Breck · TweakNOOB Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 6

Thanks much. You are pretty smart for a drummer :) :)
I assume you are one from your logo. So am I (Yamaha/Sabian) man
but perhaps I should just stick to drums! less frustrating than computers.
Thanks again!
Bill

fussnfeathers · Lord of the Tweak Joined: 14 Dec 2004 Posts: 2763

SABIAN!!!! ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

I'm a Zildjain K player, myself. I do own some Paragons, though, and I like them......mostly because they're K-like.

What Yammihooie kit?
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Breck · TweakNOOB Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 6

Just an old Stage Custom set. They sound pretty good and not bad for the money. But my Sabians are mostly the AA El Sabor series.
I have 13" 16" and 18" and the 20" ride is due in Friday via ebay!
Have a cheapo Mapex V kit too with some medium priced Paistes.

Also, been searching for a low voltage pcmcia wireless card but
not sure they make one. I think the modern cards are running 5 volts
and my slot would probably go only 3.3 volt give or take. So if you are right,
there ain't no such animal and this 166 is what it is - unless I could
somehow run something wirelss by connecting to the 3Com wired
card ? Somebody mentioned that might be possible as the card has the
6" wire with a cable connection jack??

Hoedizzy · Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2005 4:27 pm Post subject:

What about using a USB wireless adapter. (if the laptop has one)

fussnfeathers · Lord of the Tweak Joined: 14 Dec 2004 Posts: 2763

If it has USB.........some of those old Toshibas did, some didn't. And, even if it does, power might still be an issue.
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Hoedizzy · Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2005 10:34 pm Post subject:

I would think that if he does have USB, if you use a wireless B USB product even with USB 1.1 it should still work if he is running Win98 SE.

Breck · TweakNOOB Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 6

Just a bit ahead of you on this one.
Last night I called tech support at syslink and got their USB unit installed.
I had done it before 2-3 times with no luck. This time it worked. I got on,
MSN began to come up so I hung up with the rep. Then I noticed the page
did not load totally. Long story short - the laptop locks up everytime you connect - and usually 10-15 seconds in. I tried Juno thinking it may be IE. I imported my account (all using wireless) and tried to check my mail. After
60% came in - it locked up?? I do recall one time a Canon printer USB would lock up a PC I had as soon as I put the wire in. Now what? I was sooooo
close this time!!

fussnfeathers · Lord of the Tweak Joined: 14 Dec 2004 Posts: 2763

Hoedizzy · Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2005 1:05 pm Post subject:

Also you could check in your device manager and see if you do have and driver problems. Most of the time those can be fixed by running your Win 98 disk ( they have the USB drivers ) Did it prompt you for your Win 98 disk when installing your USB wireless device?

Breck · TweakNOOB Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 6

No it did not ask for 98 last night when it first took off.
I guess this is a reall hit or miss deal as you said.
I'll keep at it anyways.
Thanks!

[KoG]^weaZel · Posted: Sat Apr 23, 2005 12:32 am Post subject: