Wireless Network Sharing Possibilities?

Hello, this my first post, so please be noobie friendly.

I currently have a immobile laptop (no backlight to moniter) running
Windows XP, with access to our home connection through a Linksys
Wireless adaptor (USB). I also have a Windows 98 desktop next to it. In
fact, they are hooked up with a KVM Switch. Anyway, I would like to
know if there was any way to share the connection (perhaps using some
kind of specialized cable or switch). I do have an extra network
adapter which is USB, thus making it incompatible with the Windows 98
system due to driver technicalities.

I am tech savvy, and I'll have help with an IT expert, its just he's at
work during the day. (My father). Help is appreciated.

In article <1154636270.339427.153540@p79g2000cwp.googlegroups .com>, the.bassist@hotmail.com wrote:
>Hello, this my first post, so please be noobie friendly.
>
>I currently have a immobile laptop (no backlight to moniter) running
>Windows XP, with access to our home connection through a Linksys
>Wireless adaptor (USB). I also have a Windows 98 desktop next to it. In
>fact, they are hooked up with a KVM Switch. Anyway, I would like to
>know if there was any way to share the connection (perhaps using some
>kind of specialized cable or switch). I do have an extra network
>adapter which is USB, thus making it incompatible with the Windows 98
>system due to driver technicalities.
>
>I am tech savvy, and I'll have help with an IT expert, its just he's at
>work during the day. (My father). Help is appreciated.
>

How are you currently geting the wireless signal to the laptop. What I mean
is where is the radio transmitting to the laptop? What brand is it and
model number would help? Do you have physical access to the internet access
point (cable modem/ DSL modem whatever)?

fundamentalism, fundamentally wrong.

The router is a Linksys 2.4Ghz Wireless G Broadband Router. As I have
stated, I am acessing it through a Wireless B USB Adapter on my laptop.
And yes, I do have physical access to our modem. I want to share this
connection to my '98 desktop.

theratisback@hotmail.com wrote:
> The router is a Linksys 2.4Ghz Wireless G Broadband Router. As I have
> stated, I am acessing it through a Wireless B USB Adapter on my
> laptop. And yes, I do have physical access to our modem. I want to
> share this connection to my '98 desktop.

USB is usually problematic on Win 98, but since have a WAP/Router, have you
considered just picking up an ethernet card for the desktop (usually under
$20 for a pci card) and hardwiring to the router?

On 3 Aug 2006 13:17:50 -0700, the.bassist@hotmail.com wrote in
<1154636270.339427.153540@p79g2000cwp.googlegroups .com>:

>Hello, this my first post, so please be noobie friendly.
>
>I currently have a immobile laptop (no backlight to moniter) running
>Windows XP, with access to our home connection through a Linksys
>Wireless adaptor (USB). I also have a Windows 98 desktop next to it. In
>fact, they are hooked up with a KVM Switch. Anyway, I would like to
>know if there was any way to share the connection (perhaps using some
>kind of specialized cable or switch). I do have an extra network
>adapter which is USB, thus making it incompatible with the Windows 98
>system due to driver technicalities.
>
>I am tech savvy, and I'll have help with an IT expert, its just he's at
>work during the day. (My father). Help is appreciated.

Connect the two computers with wired Ethernet (which could also be used
for KVM-like functions; e.g., with VNC) using a crossover cable, and
enable Internet Connection Sharing on the XP box.

--
Best regards, FAQ for Wireless Internet: <http://Wireless.wikia.com>
John Navas FAQ for Wi-Fi: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi>
Wi-Fi How To: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_HowTo>
Fixes to Wi-Fi Problems: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_Fixes>

Do you have a network card working in the 98 machine? If so, then add a
wireless bridge. That way the PC will use it's regular ethernet connection
and not bother the laptop at all. These are typically known as "gaming
adapters". They basically take the wired ethernet connection and act as a
bridge for that one computer to the wireless network.

If you have wired ethernet in the laptop you could use a crossover cable
from the ethernet card in the PC to make the physical connection (as in, not
needing a hub). Then enable Internet Connection Sharing on the laptop and
bridge the wired and wireless network connections. The downsides to this
are several. One being that it requires the laptop to be on all the time.
The second being that it isolates the shared PC behind a NAT router. This
means the PC isn't really "on" the same network; it's routed behind the
laptop's ICS. This may make some applications fail. But if it's a 98 box,
well, they're already likely to fail (kidding, of course).

Personally I'd just go with a wireless gaming adapter. It keeps the
configuration much simpler. It might cost a few bucks more but the
headaches of getting ICS setup right (and remaining so) aren't worth the
savings. Penny wise, pound foolish.

-Bill Kearney