Need help connecting Windows 98se laptop via Ethernet PC card

[Ectophase]

Hi all,

I have a Dell Latitude CPX-J running Windows 98se. I am trying to connect to the network via an Ethernet cable, from a PC card to a wireless router with Ethernet ports.

Everything to my knowledge is set to automatically configure, but my laptop isn't getting an IP address from the DHCP server (my router). In the "Network status" window, the 'acquiring network address' message never disappears and there's never any sign of a connection.

How should I go about configuring my network settings so a connection can be identified and/or be able to obtain an IP address? Setting everything myself manually in the TCP/IP properties doesn't appear to work either. I've done a lot of tinkering just trying to connect to the internet.

My network adapter is a SOHOware ND5120-E 10mbps Ethernet PC card in case that's relevant.

 

[kanewolf]

Your router might not support 10mbit ethernet. There aren't many devices that still require 10Mbit. Your card may only support half duplex and your router may not.

 

[Alabalcho]

Your network card is PCMCIA, correct? I remember these were PITA to work properly...
Hopefully, Dell still hosts downloads for your laptop. Download and update all drivers / BIOS before going on.

When you say that even manual TCP/IP settings do not work: Your laptop cannot set them, or they are reported OK, but you can't ping your router?

 

[Ectophase]

Your network card is PCMCIA, correct? I remember these were PITA to work properly...
Hopefully, Dell still hosts downloads for your laptop. Download and update all drivers / BIOS before going on.

When you say that even manual TCP/IP settings do not work: Your laptop cannot set them, or they are reported OK, but you can't ping your router?

Correct, I can set everything manually and have it falsely show 'connected' on the Network status window and still receive a 100% packet loss after trying to ping the router.
Another thing I just found was in the same Network status window, the only adapter that I can select from the drop-down menu is a "TAMARACK TC3299 PC Card". To my knowledge there is no internal network card installed? The other options are two useless "PPP Adapter" that show no activity.

About the router not supporting the 10mbit card, well that can be a possibility. I'll have to do a bit more research and find out some more info on my router. If that is the case, then I'm more or less SOL unless a wireless usb stick from the early 2000s appears on the market.