Thread: Old Laptop

Well Hello everyone. I have been lurking here and there and have a question of my own. I have an older laptop not really in use as it is falling apart; 2003 was when it was purchased. I was wondering how would I go about enabling wireless capabilities on it, bearing in mind it has no built in wireless hardware. What are the cheapest and most efficient means by which this is accomplished. Also the C.D drive does not work so installing software will be tricky, I have an iso maker and can borrow a flash drive. Also I don't plan on getting my own internet connection I am planning on using my schools wireless.

Any responses would be appreciated.

Originally Posted by psynapse

Well Hello everyone. I have been lurking here and there and have a question of my own. I have an older laptop not really in use as it is falling apart; 2003 was when it was purchased. I was wondering how would I go about enabling wireless capabilities on it, bearing in mind it has no built in wireless hardware. What are the cheapest and most efficient means by which this is accomplished. Also the C.D drive does not work so installing software will be tricky, I have an iso maker and can borrow a flash drive. Also I don't plan on getting my own internet connection I am planning on using my schools wireless.

Any responses would be appreciated.

Well you get whats called a wireless PCMCIA Card providing that you have a PCMCIA card slot, which i think it would, thats the only way i think that you could do it.

How much would that cost and is this the only option?

Originally Posted by shorty

Originally Posted by psynapse

How much would that cost and is this the only option?

Well I cant really tell you how much its gonna cost you because i don't know the computer shops in your area but, ask around at some computer shops and also make sure that the Laptop does have a PCMCIA slot, the cheapest I have picked up a card from is from eBay and it was $50 (Australian Dollars) but I'm not sure how much it would cost from a computer shop...hope this helps

OR you could get a USB Wireless device

As I understand it PCMCIA (or Personal Computer Memory Card Interface Association - incase anyone was wondering what it stood for) cards are for 3G and use the cellular networks. I could be wrong though !!
I would suggest purchasing a wireless USB device, I would also suggest purchasing a cheap external usb dvd/cd drive to load your software.

Both kits should cost no more than £50 each.

Dont buy from PC World though, (if you live in the UK) - They are ridiculously over-priced and even the technicians know very little about computers. Example: I went into PC world the other day looking for a case, PC World has warehouses the size of Greenland but seem to sell suprisingly little. They only sold 4 different PC Cases. I asked a member of the staff which would be the quietest pc case. (not a difficult thing to understand - simply the best case for drowning out noise of fans.) They replied..."Well, it depends on what type of processor you have" - "No, it doesn't!" I said. "Oh, okay she said, Ill have to go and ask a technician." Needless to say the bogus technician didnt know either.

The only reason I ever go into PC World lately is to ask them questions about components they sell that I know they would not be knowledgable enough to answer, and when they dont know the answer I always reply with "Oh, Im sorry, I thought you worked here!"

Evil Okay.

I live in B.C Canada so I will have to go to future shop.
I like the sounds of the USB wireless adapter. I will look into it after classes today.

It refuses to charge!

The power cord is warm and the lights refuse to go on even though I am certain it is getting electricity because the stupid AC DC thing is warm.

Other than losing my head and smashing everything what are my options?

Originally Posted by psynapse

It refuses to charge!

The power cord is warm and the lights refuse to go on even though I am certain it is getting electricity because the stupid AC DC thing is warm.

Other than losing my head and smashing everything what are my options?

Buy a new battery, but just incase its not the battery, take your laaptop in for repairs.

Originally Posted by leohopkins

As I understand it PCMCIA (or Personal Computer Memory Card Interface Association - incase anyone was wondering what it stood for) cards are for 3G and use the cellular networks. I could be wrong though !!

Pcmcia was developed as a simple miniature expansion slot based on the ISA architecture, you ould buy cards for modems, camera memory readers, plug in goodies...

Originally Posted by Megabrain

Originally Posted by leohopkins

As I understand it PCMCIA (or Personal Computer Memory Card Interface Association - incase anyone was wondering what it stood for) cards are for 3G and use the cellular networks. I could be wrong though !!

Pcmcia was developed as a simple miniature expansion slot based on the ISA architecture, you ould buy cards for modems, camera memory readers, plug in goodies...

I know the Amiga 600 (god bless the Amiga!!!) had PCMCIA slot which was used for extra memory.