networking old computer.

[DaRKnirvana85]

Hey guys,

Okay, I've got a problem.

Someone's given me an old Compaq Presario 2110 system. This has no expansion slots, and no USB. We want to connect this system to our main system, and be able to access the web. The best thing I have seen so far to do this is the Direct Cable connect wizard, which uses the parallel ports. Will I be able to share an internet connection through this? Or is there any other alternative? Also, I use AOL, are there any internet connection sharing programs that work with this?

Many thanks.

Regards, Chris.

[Columbus]

Hi Chris - Can I refer to http://www.wown.com/j_helmig/icsw98se.htm.

This goes into this issue in very good and well-explained detail

[DaRKnirvana85]

Thanks.

That's good, but I still have the problem of getting the two networked together, plus the Compaq only has Win95, and I can't upgrade, as it has some old integrated graphics with non 98 drivers.

Regards, Chris

[Nig]

Hi Chris welcome to the forum

Er no

Unless someone can prove me wrong I think you need a network connection and its protocols to share web access via a proxy.
DCC will only allow access to files and disks I think.
I don't think usb will do what you want either.

Not familiar with compaqs , what's the spec of the machine ?
I would guess it's all on one mobo ,yes?

Nig:)

[DaRKnirvana85]

Thanks Nig.

The machine is actually pretty ****. :) It's from 1997, and it's a MediaGX integrated system. The specs are:

Compaq Presario 2110
Cyrix GX Media 133MHz
2Mb Video
32Mb EDO RAM
2.1Gb Hard Drive
8xCD ROM
14" Compaq V400 monitor
Compaq PS2 Keyboard
Compaq PS2 Mouse
Internal faxmodem
Onboard sound
Windows 95 with CD and licence & extra bits of software including compaq
restore disk and manuals

So, you see what I'm up against. :) No USB, and no expansion ports, etc. So there's NO hope of getting these two to be able to share an internet connection?

[Nig]

For a 97 spec machine that's not too bad ,32mb ram would of been well over £100 and a 2.1 gig hd etc
so what you have is nearly everything to build a newish setup.

You could easily get a case with 200mhz mobo from a puter fair for about a tenner . while your there pick up a pair of 3com network cards and a crossover cable and away you go . job done .twenty quid.

But first have a look in the case again , for a machine that spec I would of thaught it will have a spare slot or 2

Nig:)

[DaRKnirvana85]

Cheers Nig.

You wouldn't believe how integrated this system actually is! :lol Even from what Compaq say, the only thing you can upgrade is the RAM, there's no expansion slots, etc at all.

Regards, Chris.

[Nig]

I can'r believe how quick you reply :lol

Nig:)

[DaRKnirvana85]

:lol

With the AOL lady screeching "you have e-mail!" whenever someone replies, 'tis easy. ;)

[mac_p300]

Xircom used to make a network adapter that plugged into the parrallel port. Dont know if they still make them or maybe you can pick one up from a computer fair second hand.
Apart from that you could use a parrallel port USB adapter and hang a USB network adapter off that!

Is this one of the Presarios with the monitor all in one box?
My ex sister in law had one! the are the spawn of the devil! even compaq admitted they were pants!

good luck!

[onomatopoeia]

I think Xircom still make the parallel port network adapter. We had one in the office and it did the job. Most printers worked through it as well.

[DaRKnirvana85]

Thanks for all your help. :)

I'm just going to go look at the Xircom site now. It's a total integrated piece of compaq c***. :lol It's thin and black, but the monitor's separate, and it's definitely pants.

[DaRKnirvana85]

Damn, can't seem to find it...

This is going to be a hell of a fight to get this thing to work. ;)

[Rainbow Warrior]

Looking at the price (£233.82 inc VAT), you might want to reconsider - buy another PC ;)

See here for details: http://www.dabs.com/products/prod-info3-info.asp?&m=y&quicklinx=F16

[DaRKnirvana85]

hmm. I could buy a nice new system from Novatech for that... ;)

Thanks for the link, anyway. How the hell is that thing so expensive?