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RS-232 serial port connection to a access point with RJ45

1K views 3 replies 3 participants last post by  IceKowedd 
#1 ·
Hello, I have an older laptop from 2000's, it's running windows 98.

I wanted to connect it to the internet so i could download some drivers for usb after that i am gonna try to get java updates on it.

I am born in 1997 myself so i don't know that much about older computers, i first though to put a rj45 in it to connect to internet but found out my rj45 is a bit to big,
also rj45 has 8 bits and the port on the laptop has 4 bits, so i guessed it's for dial up connection? but in netherlands dial up isn't available anymore.

so i was lookin for a different way to connect the laptop to the network, i found RS-232 port on it, and i was searching and i'd noticed there are converters from RS-232 to RJ-45 but is a cable converter enough so i could connect the laptop to an access point are would i need more like a server/machine in between to convert the signals?

I found these converters.
Delock Seriële RS-232/422/485 Adapter DB9 to RJ45 (cable)

RS232 Serial to Ethernet Converter - U.S. Converters LLC (Server)

i'll also go make few pictures of the ports on the laptop, maybe someone here notices a different way i could connect it up.

Thanks In Advance,
IceKowedd.
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#2 ·
That port you think is an Ethernet port is a modem/dial up port which uses an RJ11 port. Ethernet jacks use RJ45.

As to your idea of using a serial converter, that won't work either. The serial converter is only to facilitate conversion of port types and not protocol. The DB9 to RJ45 converter is only to allow a serial connection to go from a DB9 jack to an RJ45 (serial/console) port. The use of these converters is to gain access to management functions of a device for configuration. It's not for data transfers.

That laptop is way old and belongs in a museum. You're better off putting your time and resources in getting a new laptop. Because if Win98 doesn't have drivers for the USB port for the laptop, there is a high chance you're not going to easily find it online...even from the manufacturer.
 
#3 ·
Win 98 was not plug and play for USB. Trust me, it was a nightmare to get drivers for things you wanted to plug in. (I'm in my 70's and have been around since pre-Windows days.) I had a hard drive in a USB case. I had to scrounge around to find a driver to get the case recognized so I could use the hd inside the case.
https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/t/533958/how-to-make-usb-ports-work-on-win98se/

The USB ports, if that's what they are would probably be USB 1.
USB 1.0/Low-Speed: 1.5 Megabits per second (Mbps)

If they happen to be USB 1.1 it is a bit faster
USB 1.1/Full-Speed: 12 Mbps

I concur with zx10guy, dump that laptop. You'll end up wasting too much time and possibly finding no solutions.
 
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