How to connect old Windows ME PC to internet?

[Curioustinkerer]

I have a Gateway desktop computer from 2000 that runs Windows Milennium Edition. I want to connect it to the Internet, but it does not have an ethernet jack, and it obviously does not have wifi. What should I do? Thanks.

 

[CircuitDaemon]

Keep yourself and everyone else in your network safe by throwing it to the recycle bin. There are ways to do it but there is no reason why anyone would want to do it. Even if you manage to get it online (which isn't hard but you'll need to buy an ethernet PCI card), most websites and stuff won't work properly. There's really no point, you can get a better browsing experience from a $60 chinese tablet than from a computer running Windows ME.

 

[USAFRet]

I have a Gateway desktop computer from 2000 that runs Windows Milennium Edition. I want to connect it to the Internet, but it does not have an ethernet jack, and it obviously does not have wifi. What should I do? Thanks.

Buy a USB ethernet adapter
Install Linux
Say bye bye to WinMe forever.

It will still be slow, but it might almost sort of work.

 

[photonboy]

I have a Gateway desktop computer from 2000 that runs Windows Milennium Edition. I want to connect it to the Internet, but it does not have an ethernet jack, and it obviously does not have wifi. What should I do? Thanks.

Buy a USB ethernet adapter
Install Linux
Say bye bye to WinMe forever.

It will still be slow, but it might almost sort of work.

THIS or something like it.

1) USB wi-fi stick, or PCI/PCIe ethernet adapter (if you have easy access to ethernet cable go that way

a) PCIe (not PCI) ethernet adapter-> https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/product/dQmLrH/tp-link-wired-network-card-tg3468
or
b) USB wi-fi-> https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/product/4rNp99/rosewill-wireless-network-card-rnxn150ube

2) Windows or Linux?
I doubt Windows 10 is compatible with the CPU, and I also can't recommend ME. Too many issues.

(If W10 is compatible it might be worth considering getting a DVD and installing)

If you need basic browser and office (i.e. LibreOffice works great) then Linux Mint is a good option:
https://www.linuxmint.com/

**WARNING**
Linux drivers will have issues with some networking devices. In general, the ETHERNET (wired) devices should be fine but double check. If you want wi-fi you'll need to google compatibility with the exact model.

3) SETUP (example)

a) go to Linux Mint (or similar)
b) download the ISO and burn a DVD
(Use 64-bit only if the CPU is compatible. Otherwise use 32-bit. If in doubt, use 32-bit such as the Cinnamon version in the download above for Mint)

c) boot to Linux DVD, use the option to DELETE and auto setup on the hard drive
d) Finish, test etc.

4) *Uh, no dude I just want ME->

Then I suggest getting the ETHERNET PCI or PCIe card. That's probably going to work without any hassle. Install, attach cable, bootup and it should work.

ME is likely to have issues though. Don't use it for anything where you put in Credit Card or critical data.

 

[photonboy]

The above are CANADIAN links. Look for links in your own country.

 

[jsmithepa]

Glutton for punishment?

I hope you have a specific use for this project, because it you try to browse the Internet with this thing, no website will display properly if they even allows you connect your ME browser to them.

Ethernet should be easier than WIFI, I forget whether 802.11b (first standard generation) was even available for ME. You should be able to find an old ethernet board on eBay, one hopes, but the proper driver will be the issue.

 

[photonboy]

*I'm curious enough to give some help if you provide a Personal Message (PM) or just do it here, or both.

SPECCY: https://www.piriform.com/speccy

Rufus: https://rufus.akeo.ie/

If still set on it, maybe use Speccy and/or CPU-Z to get some info for me:
a) motherboard model
b) CPU model
c) system memory amount
d) graphics card (if any.. may be part of motherboard)

Other:
I forgot to mention that you can run many Linux distros straight from the DVD or USB without installing. Example:
1) download Linux Mint Cinnamon 32-bit
2) Create on DVD with Rufus software (USB stick would be best but may not be bootable)
3) Insert and boot to media (may need to change BIOS boot order... if confused can also try unhooking any HDD power and data cables)

The DVD would be a bit slow but at least you can test it. You may not have USB boot capability.

*You are certain there is no LAN connection for an ethernet cable?
I don't think I've ever seen a desktop PC without one.

 

[photonboy]

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/best-linux-distro-first-time-switchers-windows-mac/

Linux Mint install:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3q5ubZ5vr0


There are better videos, but that one is fairly good. Again you can run from any supported DVD or USB stick without installing.

I had a spare, 60GB SSD and threw that into an old PC and it helped a lot. You don't want to spend much money, if any of course but you may find something used for almost nothing but still it's great to TEST the system first.

So running from the DVD/USB first is the best way, then decide if you want to add a cheap SSD (and network card/stick).

I no longer have it but I believe it had
- 32-bit, Sempron, single-core CPU (not compatible with Windows 10 or 64-bit software)
- 512MB system memory

- 80GB HDD (upgraded to 60GB SSD... was a year ago, used so almost nothing in cost)
- graphics card (I forget card.. HD6450? It helped for hardware acceleration of some video as CPU was too crappy)

Result?
System booted pretty quick, and using LibreOffice in Linux was fine.

However, had to limit number of TABS open in browser and some video or other demanding web tasks would slow it down a lot.