Router on Win98

[QueHuong]

I'm planning on sharing an internet connection among 3 computers with wireless B. But two of them are not near a phone jack, so I was thinking of connecting the DSL modem and wireless router to the Win98 computer which is near a phone jack - would that be any different if it was connected to an XP computer? I have an XP, ME, and 98.

 

[hjo3]

"wireless B"? I assume you mean 802.11b. Yeah that'll work. As long as you go modem > router > computers. OS doesn't really matter when you're using a router. You could have Mac OS machines, linux machines, whatever, connected to your router and they'd still have internet access.

 

[QueHuong]

But will OS affect networking? I plan on doing file and print sharing.

 

[gunrunnerjohn]

The connection is Modem, Router, and then a star connection to the attached machines. There is no required interaction between the machines to share the Internet, and indeed your W98 machine could be powered off or even unplugged and not affect the other machines.

 

[QueHuong]

Ok, but I'm talking about file and print sharing now. Will there still be a difference if the router is connected to the Win98 machine?

 

[Pudgygiant]

The router won't "be connected to the Win98 machine" exclusively (or else it wouldn't be a router). So no, you'd only be using the hardware the way it's intended to be used.

 

[martind1]

ok ,make sure you read what has been posted. since you will be connecting modem->router->computers the fact that 1 of the computers is win98 shoudlnt affect the file sharing.

the router will be connected to the win98 and the XP machine effectivly.
it seems to me that you are planning on going modem->win98->router->XP

that is not the way to do it. modem->router->computers is the way to use this.

 

[Blueopticalmouse]

Yes you can still file and print share between the different operating systems if you go modem --> router --> machines.
I share between XP and 98 with no problem. Setup is a bit different but works the same.

 

[QueHuong]

I'm not understanding the difference between "modem->win98->router->XP" and "modem->router->computers." I'm reading your posts, I just brand new to networking so I'm not grasping some of the stuff. In layman's terms, how do I network and share internet among 3 computers, where one is next to a phone jack (Win98), and the other two (XP/Linux and ME) are next to each other, but nowhere near a phone jack using wireless?

 

[gunrunnerjohn]

Originally posted by: MindStorm
I'm not understanding the difference between "modem->win98->router->XP" and "modem->router->computers."

The connection is modem->router->computers. You don't connect the modem directly to any of the machines. All of the machines are peers in this arrangement. I think you're making it more complicated than it really is.

 

[QueHuong]

Originally posted by: gunrunnerjohn

Originally posted by: MindStorm
I'm not understanding the difference between "modem->win98->router->XP" and "modem->router->computers."

The connection is modem->router->computers. You don't connect the modem directly to any of the machines. All of the machines are peers in this arrangement. I think you're making it more complicated than it really is.

Crap..still not understanding Here's what I'm basing my setup on: http://www.netgear.com/products/details/MR814.asp?view= In the picture, the DSL modem is connected to the router, which is then connected to the computer. My question was, can that computer be running Win98 and still have all the capabilities of a network would have if that computer was running WinXP?

And again, keep in mind I've never networked before so what my seem like common sense to those with experience isn't general knowledge to people first starting to try it.

 

[bullbrander]

Here's a way you might understand it:

You have 3 computers. One is apparently going to be wired straight to the router with an ethernet cable.
The others are going to be linked to it through radio signals (wireless cards).
Try to excuse the fact that one is physically connected to the router - they all will actually be connected similarly.
What I am saying is that it doesn't matter which computer is plugged directly into the router, they all will be connected to it.

Windows98 will allow you to share folders and printers, and you will be able to access these from other operating systems.

The Windows98 computer will not be sharing internet with the other computers, it is the router itself that is doing that.

Thus, it makes no difference which computer, if any, is cabled to the router. They may all be connected wirelessly if you choose to do so (although not cost effective). Internet will automatically be accessible by any computer connected to the router wirelessly or through ethernet cabling.

Also, for Internet and networking's sake, make sure you have your cards set to automatically obtain an IP address. The router will assign a class C network IP (ex: 192.168.0.X) to each computer. The computer will then be able to access the Internet that is coming into the router from the modem. Also, the 3 computers will be able to 'see' each other in My Network Places/Network Neighborhood, allowing you to transfer files and share printers.

 

[gunrunnerjohn]

Originally posted by: MindStorm

Originally posted by: gunrunnerjohn

Originally posted by: MindStorm I'm not understanding the difference between "modem->win98->router->XP" and "modem->router->computers."

The connection is modem->router->computers. You don't connect the modem directly to any of the machines. All of the machines are peers in this arrangement. I think you're making it more complicated than it really is.

Crap..still not understanding Here's what I'm basing my setup on: http://www.netgear.com/products/details/MR814.asp?view= In the picture, the DSL modem is connected to the router, which is then connected to the computer. My question was, can that computer be running Win98 and still have all the capabilities of a network would have if that computer was running WinXP? And again, keep in mind I've never networked before so what my seem like common sense to those with experience isn't general knowledge to people first starting to try it.

There is no issue here at all, the fact that it's running W98 or XP is immaterial to the operation.

 

[QueHuong]

Ok, so when I said I was going to connect the router to my Win98 machine, I meant by the diagram in the picture above. So what did you guys think I mean? Specifically, what is "modem->win98->router"?

 

[gunrunnerjohn]

I don't see any picture.