Whilst calling at a local shop recently the assistant said my PC may not ' be compatible' for signing up for broadband.

It is old and a bit slow with Wanadoo dial up, but I wouldn't want to sign up for 12 months for something the PC struggled to handle....and I dont want to spend too much upgrading or a second hand PC.

Your advice is appreciated. TA

I have a Cyrix 120 MHz that's connected to cable Internet...

I would have thought anything capable of running Windows 98 or above, or a Linux distro, would be fine for broadband. Windows 95 can't do it because it doesn't support USB, and I think the standard Wannadoo package uses a USB modem?

Joe

Originally posted by JoePritchard
I would have thought anything capable of running Windows 98 or above, or a Linux distro, would be fine for broadband.[B]

Min spec for Wannadoo is Win 98 (so the Wannado website says).



Originally posted by JoePritchard
[B]Windows 95 can't do it because it doesn't support USB

Actually, there are a couple of versions of Win 95 that have limited USB support;).

These are:

Version 4.03.1212-1214 (4.00.950B)
Version 4.03.1214 (4.00.950C)

Though I doubt that anyone is using Win 95 now-a -days (even we don't test SW on Win 95 anymore;)).

Originally posted by sccsux
Min spec for Wannadoo is Win 98 (so the Wannado website says).

Actually, there are a couple of versions of Win 95 that have limited USB support;).

These are:

Version 4.03.1212-1214 (4.00.950B)
Version 4.03.1214 (4.00.950C)

Though I doubt that anyone is using Win 95 now-a -days (even we don't test SW on Win 95 anymore;)).

I still test some of my stuff on Win 95, I'm afraid!! :)

And those versions of Windows 95 sucked! :) I tried it years ago with USB and it was really bad. Hence teh term 'limited' I guess.... :)

Joe

Originally posted by JoePritchard
And those versions of Windows 95 sucked! :)

Only those versions of Win 95?:o;)

I've never had Win 95 installed myself. Went straight from Win 3.11 FWG to Win 98 (seemed the most stable route @ the time:)).



Originally posted by JoePritchard
I tried it years ago with USB and it was really bad. Hence teh term 'limited' I guess.... :)


The main problem with USB under Win 95 is due to the fact that it (USB) was emerging technology when Win 95 was released. By the time Win 98 was being coded the "standard" had settled down and the new code could not be patched through to Win 95 code:(.

Originally posted by FORE
Whilst calling at a local shop recently the assistant said my PC may not ' be compatible' for signing up for broadband.

It is old and a bit slow with Wanadoo dial up, but I wouldn't want to sign up for 12 months for something the PC struggled to handle....and I dont want to spend too much upgrading or a second hand PC.



How old ?? If it has PCI expansion slots you can use a PCI ADSL modem. I got one from Ebay for less than a tenner and there seem to be plenty still available.

If you don't want a long term contract there are plenty of ISPs who provide a 'wires only' service. You have to supply your own equipment and pay around £70 up front for the DSL connection, - I went with Metronet who have a min 3 months subscription, for which I pay £13.75/month for a 1GB connection and included 2GB usage...extra usage is charged at 0.00238p per MB.

Have a look HERE (http://bbs.adslguide.org.uk/postlist.php?Cat=&Board=which_isp) and in the other sections on this very useful site.

All you need is TCP\IP support and a network port.

Basically, pretty much any machine can be connected to DSL via an ethernet router. The minimum spec that some useless ISP's refer to is the spec required for the rather appalling free USB modem that they send out.

As has been mentioned, you can get a wires only service and supply your own equipment or sign up for a service, get the free USB modem and eBay it and then use your own equipment.

Originally posted by sccsux
Though I doubt that anyone is using Win 95 now-a -days
Oh how I wish that were true. :( You'd be surprised how many businesses still run it.

Originally posted by RJ45
Oh how I wish that were true. :( You'd be surprised how many businesses still run it.

Yeh, and NT4 bloody pile of crap it is, but at nearly £2k for a licence and CALs for 2k3, most people will stick by them for a long while to come.

Joel