Help Needed (Technical)

[Mr. Cruiser]

I recently had a Dell Inspiron 3500 laptop computer given to me. I really want to connect to the internet using the laptop but I have no idea how to do this. I have been told I need to get a "PCDMIA" card or something....

Is this correct? What else do I need to know about this computer and accessing the internet?? Is there anyway of accessing the internet for free? Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

Thank You

 

[Hardatwork]

I'm probably not the most qualified person to answer but I do know that your definition is incorrect. The card is PCMCIA. Here's a couple of links for definitions:

http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/P/PCMCIA.html

http://www.pcmcia.org/about.htm

Hope this helps a bit.

 

[stringer222222]

Puters

You have a couple pf options...A PCMCIA card is definately one option. The other would be a USB Network adapter (assuming that you are going with highspeed internet). Not many laptops around that don't have a built in NIC card (Network Interface Card)... PM me if you need more specialized help...Cheers

 

[Commander Chode]

The Dell 3500 is a older laptop and probably doesn't have any built in networking, though some models have a built in modem.

What you have to ask yourself is how you are connecting to the internet. If through the phone lines you will need a PCMCIA modem card. If through a LAN or a high speed DSL/cable connection then you will need an ethernet PCMCIA card. You can get combo ethernet and modem cards. If you are connecting through wireless you will need a WiFi PCMCIA card.

You will also need to make sure that the type of PCMCIA card matches your PCMCIA slot. There are PCMCIA type 1, and type 2 cards.

Next is to know your OS. If I remember correctly the 3500 was a PII processor around 200-300 MHz, and it probably had 32-64M of RAM, so you aren't going to be running Windows XP. You have to make sure the PCMCIA card has drivers for your OS. If the OS is Win95/Win98 it will be very hard to find a off the shelf card that will support it. More then likely you will have to go second hand.

Good luck.

 

[Herenthere]

I've used 3com megahertz cardbus lan and modem cards as well as dlink and linksys cardbus cards in that model.
these laptops will run OK with windows 2000 fine or XP if you increase the memory to 128 -256 mbytes.

they will also work with wireless 802.11b cards but you will definitely want XP if you are going wireless.
Hope this helps

 

[Mr. Cruiser]

OK, this is the system I was given and the functions or features included.....the computer is 5 years old.....

Pentium II 400 MHz Processor with MMX
14.1’ inch COLOR Active Matrix display
4.8 GB Hard
DVD-DRIVE
64 MB of RAM memory
Integrated TouchPad Mouse
Universal serial bus (USB) port
Infrared Port – sync in with your PDA or a Palm Pilot!
2 Type I, Type II, or 32-bit CardBus PCMCIA Slots
9 pin Serial Port and PS/2 Mouse Port
Windows 98 is installed

I wont be using DSL for a while, just want the basic 56K modem hooked up to the house phone until I get things organized.

Does this help anyone out? So the PCMCIA card is my best bet to get basic internet access? Thanks again

 

[Commander Chode]

Universal serial bus (USB) port
2 Type I, Type II, or 32-bit CardBus PCMCIA Slots
9 pin Serial Port and PS/2 Mouse Port

I wont be using DSL for a while, just want the basic 56K modem hooked up to the house phone until I get things organized.

Does this help anyone out? So the PCMCIA card is my best bet to get basic internet access? Thanks again

Best bet depends on a few things.

Basically you have 3 options.

USB modem - an accessory that should be good for a few years and can be reused when you upgrade. Usable with both laptops and desktops

PCMCIA modem - an accessory that can be reused in a upgrade but really only in other laptops (you can get a PCI to PCMCIA adapter but they are pretty rare).

Serial external modem - these are generally more expensive and harder to transport. They are better in some respects as more of the telephone work is off loaded to the external modem hardware. They are worse in the fact that many laptops are now coming without a 9 serial and you may not be able to reuse this in a upgrade.

What ever you choose make sure that device has drivers for Win98.

 

[Mr. Cruiser]

If you were in my position right now CC which option would you choose? I just want basic interent connection to check PERB and so forth. Nothing major, just simple internet connection as I wont have a desktop for a while.

 

[Commander Chode]

If you were in my position right now CC which option would you choose? I just want basic interent connection to check PERB and so forth. Nothing major, just simple internet connection as I wont have a desktop for a while.

I haven't bought a modem in 5 years so I'm really out of touch with what is the better buy.

My gut feeling is that the PCMCIA modem will be the cheapest and probably just as good as the other ones.

Sorry I can't be more help then that.