DOS<->Win98 LAN?

[Harry Potter]

Hi! I'm asking again, so I'm sorry for being annoying. I have NSLAN and a parallel connection between a DOS-based laptop without a hard drive and a Win98 computer to act as a hard drive. Unfortunately, with NSLAN, the Win98 computer has to be in DOS mode. Is there a free or inexpensive way to network the laptop to the Win98 PC without switching the latter to DOS mode?

 

[eibgrad]

What is NSLAN?

 

[Harry Potter]

What is NSLAN?

NSLAN is a DOS-based LAN program: it connects two or more computers in a network. It can use parallel or serial cables, among others, to form the connection. It can even create a peer network. I think you can find it at http://www.simtel.net/.

 

[eibgrad]

Ahh, I see. It's been a long time, but I recall connecting DOS machines a few times using DOS’s built in parallel/serial apps (can't recall the names at the moment).

Does it use TCP/IP or some other protocol(s)? Or perhaps simply serial I/O? I can’t find any info on it, even @ simtel, so I have to ask you. If you have a direct link to the documentation, it might help.

 

[Harry Potter]

Ahh, I see. It's been a long time, but I recall connecting DOS machines a few times using DOS’s built in parallel/serial apps (can't recall the names at the moment).

Does it use TCP/IP or some other protocol(s)? Or perhaps simply serial I/O? I can’t find any info on it, even @ simtel, so I have to ask you. If you have a direct link to the documentation, it might help.

I don't know what protocol it uses. It can work fine, though, but I'm looking to network the laptop to the Win98 computer in Windows mode.

 

[eibgrad]

I understand. That's why I asked if it supported other protocols. What I fear (and strongly suspect) is that it’s more likely only basic serial communications (as used by HyperTerminal under Accessories, for example). But getting from there to Windows w/o some other kind of protocol support (TCP/IP, SMB, etc.) is a sort of “square peg meets round hole” problem. You can’t plug one into the other unless they share a common interface/protocol! And while HyperTerminal would be such an example, I’m pretty sure it’s not what you’re really looking for. I suspect you’d like to perform basic operations, like transfer files using Windows Explorer, or use COPY/MOVE/DELETE in a DOS window under Win98 if need be.

But you never know, someone may come along who’s solved this problem before and has a specific recommendation. But my gut tells me this isn’t going to happen. We’re dealing w/ two very old environments (DOS and Win98), which doesn’t help matters.

 

[Harry Potter]

I really need full drive support. I can deal with DOS<->DOS. I just wanted a way to keep the Win98 system in Windows mode if possible. Thank you for listening!

I understand. That's why I asked if it supported other protocols. What I fear (and strongly suspect) is that it’s more likely only basic serial communications (as used by HyperTerminal under Accessories, for example). But getting from there to Windows w/o some other kind of protocol support (TCP/IP, SMB, etc.) is a sort of “square peg meets round hole” problem. You can’t plug one into the other unless they share a common interface/protocol! And while HyperTerminal would be such an example, I’m pretty sure it’s not what you’re really looking for. I suspect you’d like to perform basic operations, like transfer files using Windows Explorer, or use COPY/MOVE/DELETE in a DOS window under Win98 if need be.

But you never know, someone may come along who’s solved this problem before and has a specific recommendation. But my gut tells me this isn’t going to happen. We’re dealing w/ two very old environments (DOS and Win98), which doesn’t help matters.

 

[eibgrad]

If it's going to work at all, I think the best solution is a commercial one, such as LapLink. These guys are the pros when it comes to this kind of thing. Of course, it's not free. But you have weigh that against the importance of having this capability and the time invested in searching for alternatives.

This situation reminds of the old joke where the patient complains to the doctor, "it hurts when I do this", to which the doctor replies, "then don't do that".

Is there no other solution besides trying to make that old DOS laptop work? Can't you just pull the data off their, locate it to some external drive, and be done w/ it? Or is this DOS laptop doing something special that needs continued support?

 

[Harry Potter]

The laptop is just a pet project--kind of like all the talk of emulation all over the interet. It's not necessary. It's just that I want the laptop to be useful. I have a hard drive for it, but it doesn't fit in the slot. As for LapLink, I do't have the money for that.

If it's going to work at all, I think the best solution is a commercial one, such as LapLink. These guys are the pros when it comes to this kind of thing. Of course, it's not free. But you have weigh that against the importance of having this capability and the time invested in searching for alternatives.

This situation reminds of the old joke where the patient complains to the doctor, "it hurts when I do this", to which the doctor replies, "then don't do that".

Is there no other solution besides trying to make that old DOS laptop work? Can't you just pull the data off their, locate it to some external drive, and be done w/ it? Or is this DOS laptop doing something special that needs continued support?

 

[eibgrad]

If it's any consolation, I have an old Gateway laptop (circa 1998) running DOS/Win98, and came to the conclusion several years ago that it actually has NO useful purpose anymore, none whatsoever. Believe me, I resisted for a long time, made numerous attempts to install Linux, use it as a router, whatever, and it just wasn't worth it. It was painfully slow. It literally wasn’t up to ANY tasks, even the most modest. I just gave up and stuffed it in the closet, where it sits to this day (it’s certainly has no resale value at this point). The only reason I haven't dumped it in the trash is that I can help but remember it originally cost $3200! I’m hoping one day to overcome that psychological hurdle.

 

[Harry Potter]

My mother gave me a Commodore 64C a few years ago. The only thing it needs to be useful is an X1541 cable. At least I have a WinXP computer, and a WinVista Computer at my mother's house.

If it's any consolation, I have an old Gateway laptop (circa 1998) running DOS/Win98, and came to the conclusion several years ago that it actually has NO useful purpose anymore, none whatsoever. Believe me, I resisted for a long time, made numerous attempts to install Linux, use it as a router, whatever, and it just wasn't worth it. It was painfully slow. It literally wasn’t up to ANY tasks, even the most modest. I just gave up and stuffed it in the closet, where it sits to this day (it’s certainly has no resale value at this point). The only reason I haven't dumped it in the trash is that I can help but remember it originally cost $3200! I’m hoping one day to overcome that psychological hurdle.