Member Avatar for dudeguy1234

I have just found my old 98 and would like it to connect to my wireless internet running in my house ( with a modem, Westell model 327W, connected to my XP [the internet works fine here]). I bought an adapter from Linksys (Wireless - G (802.11g) PCI Adapter) which I had installed which is supposed to wirelessly connect to my internet. I have installed all included software. I rebooted. I have tried everything; the computer was made January 21, 1999. Before Wi-Fi. So, when I try to connect to a wireless connection, it keeps asking for a phone number for dial up. I have tried everything from putting in my actual phone number to manually putting in my IP address. Nothing works. Help please!

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Short version: Windows 98 can sometimes be made to talk to a wireless network, but it’s hit-or-miss because the OS has very limited native Wi‑Fi support and success depends entirely on the adapter’s exact revision and the availability of a Win98SE driver/utility. As noted, the vendor’s connection utility is often required; Linksys’ WMP54G documentation specifically tells Win98SE users to run the Setup Wizard before installing the card. Some Linksys revisions did get Win98SE drivers (check the revision sticker and the vendor/archived download pages). (manualslib.com)

A far more reliable fix is to stop making the old PC do wireless. Use a tiny travel router or a dedicated Wi‑Fi→Ethernet bridge in “client”/“bridge” mode so the bridge joins your home SSID (handling WPA/WPA2) and the Windows 98 machine just plugs into its LAN port. That converts the wireless link into an ordinary wired Ethernet connection and avoids driver/supplicant problems on Win98; many vendor guides and app notes walk through this setup for small travel routers and bridges. (support.labjack.com)

If you still want to try the internal card: confirm the card’s hardware revision, download the exact Win98SE driver and the vendor utility, install the vendor setup before inserting the card, and use the manufacturer utility (not Windows networking) to join the network. Be prepared that older drivers may only support WEP or limited WPA options—WEP is insecure and should only be used briefly for testing, or better, put the 98 box on an isolated/guest subnet or use the bridge so the router handles modern encryption. If no working driver exists, the bridge/powerline/travel‑router approach is the practical, safe solution. (forums.tomshardware.com)

Quick checklist:

  • Confirm the PC is Windows 98 Second Edition.
  • Check the adapter’s revision and download matching Win98SE drivers/utility.
  • If drivers fail, buy/configure a travel‑router or Wi‑bridge and plug the PC into it.
  • Isolate the old PC on a guest subnet if you must use insecure encryption.

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Member Avatar for jbennet

Simple answer : you cant do it very easialy using anything less than XP SP2

Better answer: You dont use windows own configuration tools. They arent for wireless. You need to use the manufactures software to configure the card (if they have any available for windows 98)

Member Avatar for DenisOxon

Hi Dude

I have tried a number of wireless adaptors with W98 and failed, even with W98 Second edition. I don't try for longer than 10 minutes anymore.

I'll be surprised if you get it to work.

If you want to connect to internet use a cable to connect to router, not wireless, but make sure it is second edition.

Denis

Member Avatar for dudeguy1234

argg...my router is downstairs and my 98 is upstairs...I did install the software for my Linksys...didn't work....ahhhhhhhhhh!

Member Avatar for jeaniebgd

Can anyone help us please?! Trying to get a Linksy's wireless router to work with a Windows XP computer and a Windows ME computer. Cox cable got it to work, used code in "run" ... then the ME crashed (not related to wireless router), now only one computer can be connected at a time to the internet. Cox doesn't support Windows ME any longer, so we are frustrated and up a tree. Does anyone know the code we need to put in the computers? Oh, I hope, so much.

Member Avatar for jbennet

Cox ?

Member Avatar for dudeguy1234

Yeah...screw this, I got a Mac so of course everything's fine now :)

Member Avatar for DarkRubicant

The big problem is windows 98 is no longer supported, and I don't think windows 98 was ever intended to work with wireless internet, that being said if you're savvy enough, I know nothing about wireless internet unfortunately, you can likely work something out using the manual you get with the installation software. But anyways you got a mac now, could you set this thread as solved.

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