laptop and connecting to the internet

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

We acquired an old Compaq Armada 4160T laptop. I bought a power cord and adapter off ebay and we were able to power-up the unit today. It's running Win98 and has a modem, but I don't know how to shop for the "Dongle Cable". Other than a couple of scratches on the monitor it seems to be a nice laptop. I was considering it for ebay and for Excel (97 is loaded) files that I routinely update.

I wondered for the longest time, "how does this thing connect to a phone line". Then I found the slot where the modem is located and remembered what our buyers' laptops looked like when they were all connected to our network at work. What do I need to know about Dongle Cables? How do I know which one will work with my modem?

What about connecting to cable internet? Is dial-up a better option for this old machine? There is a cable linking feature that I think allows you to connect through a PC. Does anyone do this?I'm not sure if we have a Serial cable around anymore since everything DH has is USB.

TIA for your help.

 

[jfulcer]

Ok, a few questions and maybe some answers -

You say you 'found a slot' where the modem is located? Sorry to make assumptions, but do you KNOW that it is a modem? Is it a card that you can take out and see what it's labeled or is it something else?

If it's a modem and is just missing the cable to connect to the phone line, you should start with the manufacturer of the card and see if they might be able to sell you one. Remember, you can buy a new one for probably $40, so I wouldn't spend a lot of money on it, if that is the route you want to go.

Now, if you have a high speed connection you can hook it up to, that is always a better choice than dialup. You can get PCMCIA network cards for your laptop for under $50. IMHO a high speed connection is the option you should try to invest a little time and energy into.


HTH

 

[crazelion]

Okey that did take long to come out from lurkering
What is a Dongle Cables? A Dongle Cables is use for PCMCIA Cards. What that means is PC Card modems, Ethernet cards ,and PCMCIA cellular modem cards. All dongle cables is proptery to PC card companies. A few companies that sell the are 3COM, US Robotics, and Viking. Dongle cables can come couple different links 4 and 6 can be female Rj11 and RJ 45. To put it some terms telphone wires. Your best is go to the hp website and look up your model for the computer so can get the right cables that you need. This will tell you everything about what you can and cannot upgrade. Yes i know said own compaq but hp bought compaq out.

If it was me I see if I the computer could support a wireless 802.11 ethernet card to put in the computer that way you can take advantage of hotspots around the U.S. That way you can get broadband, cable, dsl and dial-up service.

I am thinking the serial cable is a legacy and would only support serial port cables. IE could be up to printers, scanners and other legacy computer stuff that cannot be hook up to.

Also i would if the computer would let me I would add fireware port to the computer to.

I hope that points in the right direction.

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

The card is a PCMCIA Data/Fax Modem PC Card. It is by IBM. It is my assumption that I only need a cable to connect this card to a phone jack, since I see no other place to connect a phone line.

 

[jfulcer]

Ok, I could be wrong, but the IBM combo cards are called 'Etherjet' cards and they didn't seem to make very many different kinds. Without the model number from your PCMCIA card, this is just a guess but I think you can order a new cable for $12 direct from IBM. Check this link out here

If you could post a model number of the card, that would help make sure this is the right one (but I think it is).

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

Here is what I have, less the cable.....

ebay auction

Details on the front of card:
33.6Kbps/14.4Kbps with integrated DAA

on the back:
V.34 Extensions V.17 V.42 V.42 bis
MNP 2-4 MNP 5
Cellular Ready ("Spectrum Connected")
Flash ROM Upgradable.

At the bottom, above a barcode:
P/N 85H8059 ( I take this to be the part number)
FRU 38H5062
below the barcode:
914B238F22


Is it possible to upgrade the card to a 10/100?