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Dial-up Internet

  • 14-08-2013 12:43pm
    #1
    Registered Users Posts: 27


    I have an old computer which I need to get online via dial-up. I know I can use one of the pay as you go ISPs like eircom net, and pay for it, however I have broadband internet at home. If I were to buy a dial up modem for my modern PC (just a few months old), would it be possible for me to connect the two modems together, and share my internet connection from my modern PC to the old PC? I understand the speed would be limited to 56k or below, but is it possible? I would not be adverse to installing linux if this was necessary.


«1

Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 416 ✭✭gouche


    How old is the PC?

    Surely you'd be better buying a NIC for it and connecting it to your router rather than trying to find a 56K modem for your newer machine?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 980 ✭✭✭Freddy Smelly


    just buy a usb wifi dongle or a network interface card. and get your old pc connected via your existing broadband connection


  • Registered Users Posts: 27 daniel2013


    The pc is from the early 90s, it runs Windows 95 and has no free expansion slots or USB ports for that matter. I am aware it is not considered a good idea to connect it to the internet, however it needs to be done.

    And in reply to "gouche", I already have a 56k modem for both my old (a serial modem) and new (a USB modem) PCs, both of them connect via eircom net perfectly.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 416 ✭✭gouche


    daniel2013 wrote: »
    The pc is from the early 90s, it runs Windows 95 and has no free expansion slots or USB ports for that matter. I am aware it is not considered a good idea to connect it to the internet, however it needs to be done.

    And in reply to "gouche", I already have a 56k modem for both my old (a serial modem) and new (a USB modem) PCs, both of them connect via eircom net perfectly.

    There was a thread on here recently about getting a Win95 PC online.
    Wasn't met with a lot of enthusiasm:pac:

    Why exactly do you need to get it online?
    If you're adamant that you do you might be better installing a lightweight Linux variant on the machine - it should at least be more secure than Win95.

    But you're going to run into issues trying to render almost any website.
    The internet has changed a lot in 18 (!) years and so has the technology.


  • Registered Users Posts: 27 daniel2013


    I am not going to be using it for the web, I am going to be using it for other internet applications. I am not going to be able to install Linux on it, as the computer does not have a CD drive, it has only a 5.25" and a 3.5" floppy disk drive (Windows 95 was installed from the 13 floppy disk upgrade version), and I do not wish to modify it in any way as it is in immaculate condition for its age and only software, not hardware has been modified. I will run a firewall on my modern computer blocking all unused ports so it should be somewhat safe.

    I mean no disrespect to anyone on this forum when I say this, but I would prefer if I did not get answers such as "change to linux" or "why use it online" as I do know what I am doing, I just need to know how to do it/if it is possible.

    Thanks


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,600 ✭✭✭Laviski


    bottom line its gonna be hard, have you thought about linking your pc through a serial connection? that is your modern pc still has it... create and share the internet connection that way maybe.....


  • Registered Users Posts: 27 daniel2013


    Laviski wrote: »
    bottom line its gonna be hard, have you thought about linking your pc through a serial connection? that is your modern pc still has it... create and share the internet connection that way maybe.....

    My modern PC is a laptop, so no.

    I have found and tested a 'telephone line simulator' on instructables, which involves attatching a 9v battery and a resistor in series along the red wire, i
    When this device is plugged in between two telephones, it allows you to talk to the person in the other end perfectly, so it should work with modems.

    This would supply enough power to ensure the modems can communicate (the modems only send tones, not power). The need for a dial tone can be disabled.

    Ergo, I only now need to find a way to share the internet connection over this "telephone line", as the hardware is fully sorted.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,082 ✭✭✭Feathers


    daniel2013 wrote: »
    I do not wish to modify it in any way I would prefer if I did not get answers such as "change to linux"

    You said in your OP that you wouldn't mind changing to Linux :S


  • Registered Users Posts: 27 daniel2013


    Feathers wrote: »
    You said in your OP that you wouldn't mind changing to Linux :S

    I meant I would not mind changing my modern PC to Linux (in reality it would be a dual boot)
    I will not modify my old PC in any way, apart from software, but it would be next to impossible to find a floppy based linux installer.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,835 ✭✭✭Torqay


    Clone the the drive with Sysinternal's Disk2VHD and use the image with VirtualBox or VirtualPC. Voilá, you're "old PC" is now part of the world wide web. ;)


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  • Registered Users Posts: 27 daniel2013


    Torqay wrote: »
    Clone the the drive with Sysinternal's Disk2VHD and use the image with VirtualBox or VirtualPC. Voilá, you're "old PC" is now part of the world wide web. ;)

    This in no way whatsoever answers my question. I do not wish to use a virtual machine, if i wished to do that, i wouldn't have asked this question


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,835 ✭✭✭Torqay


    Well, Windows 95 does not support Internet Connection Sharing. Good luck finding some old version of WinGate (current version only works from Windows 2000 onwards). Needless to say, connection sharing does require a network card which is supported by Windows 95.


  • Registered Users Posts: 27 daniel2013


    Torqay wrote: »
    Well, Windows 95 does not support Internet Connection Sharing. Good luck finding some old version of WinGate (current version only works from Windows 2000 onwards). Needless to say, connection sharing does require a network card which is supported by Windows 95.

    I'm sorry, but you clearly haven't read my original post. I am NOT looking to share an internet connection FROM the Windows 95 machine.
    I am looking to share the internet connection from my NEW computer to my old one


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,835 ✭✭✭Torqay


    daniel2013 wrote: »
    I'm sorry, but you clearly haven't read my original post.

    Windows 95 can't connect to the internet via a shared dial-up connection without 3rd party software, period. It requires a network connection (though DCC might be possible) a server (to be installed on the computer connected to the internet) and a client to be installed on the Windows 95 computer. One such solution is Wingate.

    Further requirements on the Windows 95 PC are WinSock 2 and the TCP/IP protocol.


  • Registered Users Posts: 349 ✭✭alyssum


    daniel2013 wrote: »
    I am not going to be using it for the web, I am going to be using it for other internet applications. I am not going to be able to install Linux on it, as the computer does not have a CD drive, it has only a 5.25" and a 3.5" floppy disk drive (Windows 95 was installed from the 13 floppy disk upgrade version), and I do not wish to modify it in any way as it is in immaculate condition for its age and only software, not hardware has been modified. I will run a firewall on my modern computer blocking all unused ports so it should be somewhat safe.

    I mean no disrespect to anyone on this forum when I say this, but I would prefer if I did not get answers such as "change to linux" or "why use it online" as I do know what I am doing, I just need to know how to do it/if it is possible.

    Thanks
    could you post a pic?


  • Registered Users Posts: 27 daniel2013


    alyssum wrote: »
    could you post a pic?

    i'll try to :)


  • Moderators, Arts Moderators Posts: 10,518 Mod ✭✭✭✭5uspect


    You're making it very difficult for people to help you. You're being very cryptic so it's hard to advise you about what you want.

    Why on earth would you want to get such an old machine like that online? Is it just because you have it sitting around?
    If there is a specific reason that this machine in its current state, without modification, needs to get online then fine, if its just for the heck of it then say so.


  • Registered Users Posts: 349 ✭✭alyssum


    daniel2013 wrote: »
    i'll try to :)
    ok you don't have to say if you don't want - are you planning to use as a hardware firewall.? just curious no need to answer


  • Registered Users Posts: 27 daniel2013


    5uspect wrote: »
    You're making it very difficult for people to help you. You're being very cryptic so it's hard to advise you about what you want.

    Why on earth would you want to get such an old machine like that online? Is it just because you have it sitting around?
    If there is a specific reason that this machine in its current state, without modification, needs to get online then fine, if its just for the heck of it then say so.
    alyssum wrote: »
    ok you don't have to say if you don't want - are you planning to use as a hardware firewall.? just curious no need to answer

    The machine is owned by my parents, they bought it new at the time (1994/5) for office work, and around the turn of the millennium they connected to the internet. For some reason, after a while they stopped using it. It has been sitting there unused since then, being switched on occasionally just to check if it still works.
    A good friend of my parents has emigrated to Australia and he wishes to keep in contact by email. As I never move my laptop, my intention was to leave it running, and leave it connected to the old computer via a telephone wire through the attic.
    This way they could simply switch on their computer and connect when they needed internet access. This would save them the 5c/minute charge for dial up. As they will only be using email, the speed would not matter hugely. As I have already said, I will use a firewall to only allow the ports used for POP and SMTP.
    Neither they nor I can afford to buy a new computer, or a somewhat modern used one. As the computer is old and still in original condition, they do not wish to modify it.
    I would much rather let them use my computer, but they are afraid of damaging it.


  • Moderators, Arts Moderators Posts: 10,518 Mod ✭✭✭✭5uspect


    daniel2013 wrote: »
    The machine is owned by my parents, they bought it new at the time (1994/5) for office work, and around the turn of the millennium they connected to the internet. For some reason, after a while they stopped using it. It has been sitting there unused since then, being switched on occasionally just to check if it still works.
    A good friend of my parents has emigrated to Australia and he wishes to keep in contact by email. As I never move my laptop, my intention was to leave it running, and leave it connected to the old computer via a telephone wire through the attic.
    This way they could simply switch on their computer and connect when they needed internet access. This would save them the 5c/minute charge for dial up. As they will only be using email, the speed would not matter hugely. As I have already said, I will use a firewall to only allow the ports used for POP and SMTP.
    Neither they nor I can afford to buy a new computer, or a somewhat modern used one. As the computer is old and still in original condition, they do not wish to modify it.
    I would much rather let them use my computer, but they are afraid of damaging it.

    It's not really worth the hassle to be honest. Consider getting them a Raspberry Pi for €35 plus an SD card for the OS. USB to PS2 adapters for keyboard and mouse and whatever cable you need to convert HDMi to VGA for your old monitor. They can just use the web browser for everything. They should have zero need to worry about screwing it up since you can just reimagenthe card. Heck you could even use the old computer as an oversized case.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,835 ✭✭✭Torqay


    5uspect wrote: »
    Consider getting them a Raspberry Pi for €35 plus an SD card for the OS. USB to PS2 adapters for keyboard and mouse and whatever cable you need to convert HDMi to VGA for your old monitor.

    For less you'll get a supermodern P4 with 1 GB RAM on Adverts... but they can't afford it. :(
    5uspect wrote: »
    Heck you could even use the old computer as an oversized case.

    They do not wish to modify it. ;)


  • Moderators, Arts Moderators Posts: 10,518 Mod ✭✭✭✭5uspect


    Torqay wrote: »
    For less you'll get a supermodern P4 with 1 GB RAM on Adverts... but they can't afford it. :(



    They do not wish to modify it. ;)

    Where's the fun in that? I gave away my old Northy system, I'm sure the OP could blag a freebie somewhere.


  • Registered Users Posts: 27 daniel2013


    5uspect wrote: »
    It's not really worth the hassle to be honest. Consider getting them a Raspberry Pi for €35 plus an SD card for the OS. USB to PS2 adapters for keyboard and mouse and whatever cable you need to convert HDMi to VGA for your old monitor. They can just use the web browser for everything. They should have zero need to worry about screwing it up since you can just reimagenthe card. Heck you could even use the old computer as an oversized case.

    That was an idea, but a HDMI to VGA converter costs over 150 euro, so that is not going to work.


  • Registered Users Posts: 27 daniel2013


    5uspect wrote: »
    Where's the fun in that? I gave away my old Northy system, I'm sure the OP could blag a freebie somewhere.

    I assure you, they are not interested in modification and would certainly not find it fun :P


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,731 ✭✭✭GreenWolfe


    Are your parents willing and/or able to go to a library or a net café?

    Or a second-hand netbook and a PAYG 3G modem, maybe? (assuming they have mobile coverage in their area)

    Actually using the ancient PC to get online in any way, shape or form simply isn't worth the trouble.


  • Moderators, Arts Moderators Posts: 10,518 Mod ✭✭✭✭5uspect


    daniel2013 wrote: »
    That was an idea, but a HDMI to VGA converter costs over 150 euro, so that is not going to work.

    Is you're Google broken? http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0088K7QUQ


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,835 ✭✭✭Torqay


    daniel2013 wrote: »
    I would not be adverse to installing linux if this was necessary.
    daniel2013 wrote: »
    I mean no disrespect to anyone on this forum when I say this, but I would prefer if I did not get answers such as "change to linux"

    What is it now?
    daniel2013 wrote: »
    I am not going to be able to install Linux on it, as the computer does not have a CD drive, it has only a 5.25" and a 3.5" floppy disk drive (Windows 95 was installed from the 13 floppy disk upgrade version)

    Who says, you'll have to "install" Linux. Copy a Puppy Linux image onto the hard disk drive. In Windows 95, use Shutdown > Restart computer in MS DOS Mode, then fire up the Puppy image with linld (a Linux loader for DOS). This can be done with a simple batch file.
    daniel2013 wrote: »
    I am not going to be using it for the web, I am going to be using it for other internet applications.

    Where do your parents, who are allegedly opposed to modifications, fit into this?


  • Registered Users Posts: 27 daniel2013


    Torqay wrote: »
    What is it now?
    I would not be adverse to installing Linux on my own laptop, if that was what was needed to connect the old computer to the internet.
    Torqay wrote: »
    Who says, you'll have to "install" Linux. Copy a Puppy Linux image onto the hard disk drive. In Windows 95, use Shutdown > Restart computer in MS DOS Mode, then fire up the Puppy image with linld (a Linux loader for DOS). This can be done with a simple batch file.
    Which would involve removing the hard drive, putting it in an enclosure, copying the image, putting it back. Which to my parents would seem like modification.
    Torqay wrote: »
    Where do your parents, who are allegedly opposed to modifications, fit into this?
    As I have already said, they want to use it for email. Which, in my opinion is another application of the internet.

    I'm sorry that I sound like I am being awkward, but none of us have the money to buy a new computer and at their age, it is impossible to explain obsolescence or that taking out the hard drive isn't modification. I would love to be able to get them a new computer or get that one running Linux, but with them, it's not going to happen.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,835 ✭✭✭Torqay


    daniel2013 wrote: »
    Which would involve removing the hard drive, putting it in an enclosure, copying the image, putting it back. Which to my parents would seem like modification.

    You can transfer the image via the network connection.

    If the computer does not have a network controller, you are entirely SOL anyway, as there is no way to connect the computer to the internet other than through a direct dial-up connection. Of course, fitting a network card is a heavy modification and thus out of the question.

    If you're parents object so strongly to any modifications, they'll have no choice but to pay the 6c/min or whatever the costs for dial-up is these days.

    Or, since they're afraid to use your computer, you may print the mails from their friend, let them type the reply on their own computer, find a way to transfer the document to your laptop and send it from there.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 86,330 ✭✭✭✭Overheal


    If you can handle the technical crap that we've discussed in this thread yourself, and you can't explain obsolescence to somebody, then I don't even-

    I mean are they hiding a body inside the case or something?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,731 ✭✭✭GreenWolfe


    Overheal wrote: »
    If you can handle the technical crap that we've discussed in this thread yourself, and you can't explain obsolescence to somebody, then I don't even-

    I mean are they hiding a body inside the case or something?

    I wonder if the ideas in my earlier post were ever given any thought by the OP.

    That being said, there are just some people out there who will just never, ever accept that a computer bought almost 20 years ago (no matter what condition it's in) is completely useless. For what it's worth, I've tried (and failed) to give the same talk to a few people I know :(


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 86,330 ✭✭✭✭Overheal


    I'm usually pretty good about it by the numbers.

    A 95 machine MIGHT have broken 100Mhz. A modern PC clocks 20-40 times faster. Also the transistor count on such an old machine had to be measured in the thousands, versus the billions seen today. Modern machines using the same power requirements cycle 40 times faster and compute thousands more calculations per cycle.

    More importantly, software is designed to run on new machines not old machines. You get it online you get it into an HTML version of gmail and you're still going to have a bad time. This is like restoring ford model T back to roadworthiness when we've moved on to hover cars


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 37,314 ✭✭✭✭the_syco


    daniel2013 wrote: »
    That was an idea, but a HDMI to VGA converter costs over 150 euro, so that is not going to work.
    It'll cost €23 http://dx.com/p/hdmi-to-vga-video-converter-71816

    =-=

    You'll only be able to use the email. I cannot see internet working on it very well.

    As for money, get one for under a tenner;
    http://www.adverts.ie/for-sale/computers/desktops/492/price_1-50/sortby_price-asc

    I'm sure you can get one that looks like your current PC, but that has a USB port, or a free PCI slot. FYI; you'll need a special driver for Windows 95 to see the USB device.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 86,330 ✭✭✭✭Overheal


    It's a shame they don't have a wifi printer. An HP 5520 has its own email address. Your relative can email that your parents can read the printout and email back a handwritten letter they've scanned it :)


  • Registered Users Posts: 27 daniel2013


    I have managed to convince them that dial up is no longer available, and that I have to install a network card otherwise the computer will stop working. As the computer has PCI slots, would any PCI network card work?


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  • Registered Users Posts: 27 daniel2013


    Overheal wrote: »
    I'm usually pretty good about it by the numbers.

    A 95 machine MIGHT have broken 100Mhz. A modern PC clocks 20-40 times faster. Also the transistor count on such an old machine had to be measured in the thousands, versus the billions seen today. Modern machines using the same power requirements cycle 40 times faster and compute thousands more calculations per cycle.

    More importantly, software is designed to run on new machines not old machines. You get it online you get it into an HTML version of gmail and you're still going to have a bad time. This is like restoring ford model T back to roadworthiness when we've moved on to hover cars

    They'll be using an old email client with eircom email which supports pop/smtp


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 37,314 ✭✭✭✭the_syco


    Looking at this from a different angle. RJ11 o RJ45 adapter? Can't do a straight connect, as I'm pretty sure the RJ11 pumps out a current. Also, although there are RJ11 to RJ45 cables, they're for telecoms, as the RJ11 modem pumps out analog signal, whilst the RJ45/ethernet connection is for digital signal. Also, not a HPNA.

    Another avenue is to check if the router that the OP uses has a USB port on it? If so, would it be possible for to get a RJ11 to USB connector to connect that way?

    AWESOME IDEA

    If it's an old machine, it'll have a serial port. Thus, a serial to ethernet adapter will work, as both use digital signal?

    Maybe something like; https://www.sparkfun.com/products/9476


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 37,314 ✭✭✭✭the_syco


    daniel2013 wrote: »
    I have managed to convince them that dial up is no longer available, and that I have to install a network card otherwise the computer will stop working. As the computer has PCI slots, would any PCI network card work?
    Not sure. You'll need to ensure that it has Windows 95 drivers, as most modern ones are plug and play, and Windows 95 may not have a driver for something that didn't exist at the time.

    Lets us know your rough location, and someone here may have an old one in their cupboard.


  • Registered Users Posts: 27 daniel2013


    It's fine, I've found one cheap on ebay. Compatible with Windows 95 and includes the driver floppy. Thanks everyone for all their help.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,835 ✭✭✭Torqay


    And when you're done, clone the drive (I know, I know, removing the drive is a violation of the do-not-modify rule). If you connect this baby to a broadband router, infections are never far away and there is not a hope in hell, you can protect it with any modern anti-virus software.


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  • Registered Users Posts: 27 daniel2013


    Torqay wrote: »
    And when you're done, clone the drive (I know, I know, removing the drive is a violation of the do-not-modify rule). If you connect this baby to a broadband router, infections are never far away and there is not a hope in hell, you can protect it with any modern anti-virus software.

    I am going to connect an old broadband router with hardware firewall in between the two, blocking everything except ports 110 and 25, and set the email client to delete all emails not from their friend. That way while it is still possible, its less likely


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 509 ✭✭✭PyeContinental


    :)
    daniel2013 wrote: »
    I have managed to convince them that dial up is no longer available, and that I have to install a network card otherwise the computer will stop working. As the computer has PCI slots, would any PCI network card work?
    You referred to the machine as a computer in the beginning of the thread and then later revealed that it was a laptop - which does not have PCI slots.
    It may have PCMCIA slots though, also referred to as PC Card slots.
    If so, a 3Com PCMCIA wireless network card could be the solution you need to get this laptop working on your wireless network.
    http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0000A4F1E


  • Registered Users Posts: 27 daniel2013


    :)
    You referred to the machine as a computer in the beginning of the thread and then later revealed that it was a laptop - which does not have PCI slots.
    It may have PCMCIA slots though, also referred to as PC Card slots.
    If so, a 3Com PCMCIA wireless network card could be the solution you need to get this laptop working on your wireless network.
    http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0000A4F1E

    I'm sorry I'm so hard to understand. My own, new computer is a laptop. The old computer is a desktop.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,309 ✭✭✭T-K-O


    This thread is an all time classic.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 86,330 ✭✭✭✭Overheal


    daniel2013 wrote: »
    The pc is from the early 90s, it runs Windows 95 and has no free expansion slots or USB ports for that matter.
    daniel2013 wrote: »
    As the computer has PCI slots, would any PCI network card work?
    You're some special kind of wizard, I must say.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,414 ✭✭✭Gadgetman496


    Overheal wrote: »
    You're some special kind of wizard, I must say.


    Wondered if anyone would spot that ;)

    So, if the computer suddenly grew expansion slots over night? does that constitute an upgrade? I thought that wasn't allowed........

    "Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid."



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 37,314 ✭✭✭✭the_syco


    Overheal wrote: »
    You're some special kind of wizard, I must say.
    You noticed that as well?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 509 ✭✭✭PyeContinental


    daniel2013 wrote: »
    I'm sorry I'm so hard to understand. My own, new computer is a laptop. The old computer is a desktop.
    To be fair to you, I must have not paid attention and read too quickly over the thread.

    You shouldn't have tried to steer the conversation by claiming that the machine had no expansion slots when in fact it did, but you just didn't want the obvious solution to be offered of installing a PCI network card.

    Your parents must have had a misunderstanding of what a "modification" is. They must think it is some kind of drastically invasive and irreversible procedure, otherwise they would not have been so irrationally against the most simple and obvious solution.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 37,314 ✭✭✭✭the_syco


    Your parents must have had a misunderstanding of what a "modification" is. They must think it is some kind of drastically invasive and irreversible procedure, otherwise they would not have been so irrationally against the most simple and obvious solution.
    I'm thinking maybe the OP may have modified the machine before? :pac:


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,756 ✭✭✭demanufactured


    His parents are probably old timers who think the pc has to be sent to a shop like ye was years ago to have anything done to it.
    Older folk are generally scared ****less of anything to do with computers or the Internet.


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