DSL on an older computer?

[Red Fox]

Hi Experts,

I am temporarily working with an old computer (1998 <blush!>), that I built
myself, while I am waiting for new components for a muuuuuucccchhhh better
one.

This old computer has an Intel board with a Pentium II chip and I was
curious about whether it could run DSL, in addition I am really peed off
with dialup. Surprisingly the computer does exceed the requirements for DSL.
The motherboard has no network connection but I found a old Kingston
KNE111TX card with the right size socket and decided to have a shot at
setting up DSL. I dnloaded the Win2K SP4 driver and set up the card. Then I
connected the DSL modem up the same way as it had worked before - a white
cable from the modem to the wall jack and a yellow one from the modem to the
network card in the computer. One difference, the other computer was much
newer and it had an RJ45? connection built into the motherboard.

Win2K indicates that the card is working properly. However, the DSL
installer reports that it cannot access the modem, suggesting that there may
be no communication between the modem and the network card. I followed the
DSL installation instructions and rebooted the computer a few times and
restarted the installation process each time. I switched the modem on and
off a few times and reset it twice. When the modem is switched on, all the
lights come on and finally they settle down to Power and DSL. All the others
being switched off. Most importantly, the Ethernet light does not stay on.

Comments and suggestions and appreciated.

TIA

RF

 

[Ted Dawson]

Win2K indicates that the card is working properly. However, the DSL

installer reports that it cannot access the modem, suggesting that there
may
be no communication between the modem and the network card. I followed the
DSL installation instructions and rebooted the computer a few times and
restarted the installation process each time. I switched the modem on and
off a few times and reset it twice. When the modem is switched on, all the
lights come on and finally they settle down to Power and DSL. All the
others
being switched off. Most importantly, the Ethernet light does not stay on.

It might require a crossover cable between the modem and NIC.

 

[philo]

on.


It might require a crossover cable between the modem and NIC.

I don't believe a crossover cable is the problem.
the fact the the Ethernet light does not stay on means that the eithernet
card is defective...or else it needs the drivers
reinstalled or updated.

I've seen many ethernet cards that installed properly but just plain did not
work...
replacing the card solved the problem.

BTW: DSL should work just fine with a P-II...

 

[John Weiss]

The motherboard has no network connection but I found a old Kingston
KNE111TX card with the right size socket and decided to have a shot at
setting up DSL.

.. . .

Win2K indicates that the card is working properly. However, the DSL
installer reports that it cannot access the modem, suggesting that there may
be no communication between the modem and the network card.

PCI network cards are cheap! Buy or borrow a new one and try it out. The old
card may be toast.

While Win2K does not have the "plug 'n' play" adeptness of XP, you should be
able to set up the old computer with the Ethernet card. After that, the DSL
should work without regard for the MoBo or CPU type.

 

[Linux Geek]

Hi Experts,

I am temporarily working with an old computer (1998 <blush!>), that I built
myself, while I am waiting for new components for a muuuuuucccchhhh better
one.

This old computer has an Intel board with a Pentium II chip and I was
curious about whether it could run DSL,

Yes. No problem as long as there is a NIC in the computer. This message
is being written on a 359 MHz PII on a 5mbps DSL connection.

in addition I am really peed off
with dialup. Surprisingly the computer does exceed the requirements for
DSL. The motherboard has no network connection but I found a old
Kingston KNE111TX card with the right size socket and decided to have a
shot at setting up DSL. I dnloaded the Win2K SP4 driver and set up the
card. Then I connected the DSL modem up the same way as it had worked
before - a white cable from the modem to the wall jack and a yellow one
from the modem to the network card in the computer. One difference, the
other computer was much newer and it had an RJ45? connection built into
the motherboard.

Win2K indicates that the card is working properly. However, the DSL
installer reports that it cannot access the modem, suggesting that there
may be no communication between the modem and the network card. I
followed the DSL installation instructions and rebooted the computer a
few times and restarted the installation process each time. I switched
the modem on and off a few times and reset it twice. When the modem is
switched on, all the lights come on and finally they settle down to
Power and DSL. All the others being switched off. Most importantly, the
Ethernet light does not stay on.

Comments and suggestions and appreciated.

TIA

RF

--

__________________________________________________________________
Linux Geek

Saying that XP is the most stable MS OS is like saying that
asparagus is the most articulate vegetable. (Dave Barry)

 

[Red Fox]

Yes. No problem as long as there is a NIC in the computer. This message
is being written on a 359 MHz PII on a 5mbps DSL connection.

Hi Ted, Philo, John and Linux.

My thanks to all for your responses. I suspected the card was the cause but
I still had my doubts because it had never been used - brand new! I replaced
it with another Kingston that was slightly different.

The first one had 4 LEDs: Link, Act, 100, FDX and the second had 2 - only
Link and Act. I placed the second one in the same PCI slot and as soon as I
booted up, its lights came on and the Ethernet light on the modem and I was
connected - 4 cheers for you guys!!

Have a great weekend.

RF

 

[philo]

Hi Ted, Philo, John and Linux.

My thanks to all for your responses. I suspected the card was the cause but
I still had my doubts because it had never been used - brand new! I replaced
it with another Kingston that was slightly different.

The first one had 4 LEDs: Link, Act, 100, FDX and the second had 2 - only
Link and Act. I placed the second one in the same PCI slot and as soon as I
booted up, its lights came on and the Ethernet light on the modem and I was
connected - 4 cheers for you guys!!

Have a great weekend.

RF

Glad you got it going!
The first time I ever tried to network two machines I went out and purchased
two new net cards.The drivers installed fine...but
after fooling with the machines for many hours and not getting anywhere...I
decided to try a few of my "junk box"
cards that were sitting down in the basement. They worked fine and the new
cards went back for a refund.

Now that I've got a whole box full of old net cards...I have a rule that if
I can't get it working in a few minutes...
I just try another card!

 

[Patty]

Glad you got it going!
The first time I ever tried to network two machines I went out and purchased
two new net cards.The drivers installed fine...but
after fooling with the machines for many hours and not getting anywhere...I
decided to try a few of my "junk box"
cards that were sitting down in the basement. They worked fine and the new
cards went back for a refund.

Now that I've got a whole box full of old net cards...I have a rule that if
I can't get it working in a few minutes...
I just try another card!

What is it about NIC cards? I have a whole box of them too!

Patty

 

[Red Fox]

What is it about NIC cards? I have a whole box of them too!

Patty

Hi Patty,

I replaced the Kingston card with another identical one and it works fine.
There may be factors such as the seating in the PCI slot. Sometimes it even
helps to move it to another slot. Touching the components on the cards can
actually zap them with electrostatics. Best to handle by the metal strip
only or maybe a corner or edge where there are no components. Using a
grounding strap usually helps too, or grounding yourself by touching the
screws that hold the power supply (desktops) in the case, that will
discharge a charge, but you have to do it often. .

Anyway, the DSL is now working fine, despite a goof in the AT&T setup
program. This old and very reliable computer is now my backup.

RF