installing DSL modem on a Windows 98 machine

Richquaker · 06-22-2008, 12:55 PM

I have two computers at home. One is running Windows 2000 version 5.0 Build 2195 Service Pack 4. I have this connected to a Verizon DSL modem model 327W.
My other computer is much older and runs Windows 98 (no version or upgrade level known), I want if possible to keep this machine running on Windows 98. Currently the Windows 98 machine uses a dial-up modem. My question is: Is it possible to install a driver for the DSL modem on the Windows 98 machine and therby do away with my slow dial-up modem?

- - Richquaker

Jlp1928 · 06-23-2008, 11:46 AM

Hi Rich,

First thought is to add a PCI Ethernet card to the PC. That is if lack of the port is your only problem.

Good Luck, Jim

**af3** · 06-24-2008, 12:03 PM

You could hook it up via USB if you had the correct drivers for the modem. Google your modem's brand name, model name, and model number all in one querie and hopefully drivers for Win98 are still available for download.

**OldGrayGary** · 06-24-2008, 10:18 PM

Hi all

If the Win9x classic PC is in the same room as the Verizon 327w, it might be easiest to connect using an ethernet cable. If the motherboard doesn't have an ethernet network port, I like Jim's idea of adding one with an add-on PCI network card (Fry's has those relics on sale this week for $2 ... even so, full price they shouldn't cost more than $10). Trying DSL USB on a Win98 box makes me shudder just a little ... while you might get lucky & manage to get it working, I'd expect headaches on a regular basis.

The nice thing about using a wired ethernet connection with a Win98(se?) PC is that you won't have much configuring to do --- once the card is installed, the Internet should just work (the Westell 327w can help take care of security, too, as it has a built-in firewall). On the Win9x box, make sure to have IE "automatically detect" network settings.

Connecting via wireless can be done, if you can find a wireless network card that has good Win98 drivers, and a good wireless utility bundled with it. That's not nearly as sure a thing as connecting via a wired connection.

Good luck with your project
. . . Gary

P.S. ... you won't need to install a device driver for the Verizon/Westell 327w itself (unless you connect it via USB), it will simply provide the Internet via wired or wireless ethernet. Used in this manner, routers are rather self-contained in their operation, all your computers have to do is to know what to do with the signals they send.

06-22-2008, 12:55 PM	#1 (permalink)
Richquaker Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 1 OS: win 98	installing DSL modem on a Windows 98 machine I have two computers at home. One is running Windows 2000 version 5.0 Build 2195 Service Pack 4. I have this connected to a Verizon DSL modem model 327W. My other computer is much older and runs Windows 98 (no version or upgrade level known), I want if possible to keep this machine running on Windows 98. Currently the Windows 98 machine uses a dial-up modem. My question is: Is it possible to install a driver for the DSL modem on the Windows 98 machine and therby do away with my slow dial-up modem? - - Richquaker

06-23-2008, 11:46 AM	#2 (permalink)
Jlp1928 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 300 OS: Win98	Re: installing DSL modem on a Windows 98 machine Hi Rich, First thought is to add a PCI Ethernet card to the PC. That is if lack of the port is your only problem. Good Luck, Jim

06-24-2008, 12:03 PM	#3 (permalink)
af3 TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: USA Posts: 757 OS: Windows XP SP3 My System	Re: installing DSL modem on a Windows 98 machine You could hook it up via USB if you had the correct drivers for the modem. Google your modem's brand name, model name, and model number all in one querie and hopefully drivers for Win98 are still available for download. __________________ ...beware the government-media complex...

06-24-2008, 10:18 PM	#4 (permalink)
OldGrayGary Mentor, Microsoft Support Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Woodland Hills, CA Posts: 1,978 OS: Windows 98se/2000/XP/Vista	Re: installing DSL modem on a Windows 98 machine Hi all If the Win9x classic PC is in the same room as the Verizon 327w, it might be easiest to connect using an ethernet cable. If the motherboard doesn't have an ethernet network port, I like Jim's idea of adding one with an add-on PCI network card (Fry's has those relics on sale this week for $2 ... even so, full price they shouldn't cost more than $10). Trying DSL USB on a Win98 box makes me shudder just a little ... while you might get lucky & manage to get it working, I'd expect headaches on a regular basis. The nice thing about using a wired ethernet connection with a Win98(se?) PC is that you won't have much configuring to do --- once the card is installed, the Internet should just work (the Westell 327w can help take care of security, too, as it has a built-in firewall). On the Win9x box, make sure to have IE "automatically detect" network settings. Connecting via wireless can be done, if you can find a wireless network card that has good Win98 drivers, and a good wireless utility bundled with it. That's not nearly as sure a thing as connecting via a wired connection. Good luck with your project . . . Gary P.S. ... you won't need to install a device driver for the Verizon/Westell 327w itself (unless you connect it via USB), it will simply provide the Internet via wired or wireless ethernet. Used in this manner, routers are rather self-contained in their operation, all your computers have to do is to know what to do with the signals they send. __________________ Last edited by OldGrayGary : 06-24-2008 at 10:28 PM.