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Question

Help setting up internet connection on Windows XP install

Jul 26, 2019 10:15PM PDT

Hello,

I've had a lot of trouble with my project PC. It's an old 2000's brick that I bought for setting up with old games and things, so I had initially installed Windows 98 on it but I wasn't able to access the internet, couldn't update drivers, couldn't even get 32 bit colour etc. So I recently was able to buy an XP disk, and have installed in fresh.

I still am not able to access the internet though - I have the PC plugged into my modem via ethernet cable but it won't pick up. If I go into cmd then ipconfig absolutely nothing shows up when I press "enter", just IP CONFIG.

I have gone into Computer Management > Device Manager and found that I am missing drivers for Other devices > PCI Simple Communications Controller. I thought I might download the drivers via my regular laptop, then transfer them via usb to install them on the brick but every single one I can find is an .exe and requires internet connection to scan for the drivers needed.

Under properties for this missing PCI driver it comes up with PCI\VEN_127A&DEV_2005&SUBSYS_2005127A&REV_01\3&61AAA01&0&50 which I have found to be a Rockwell International HCF 56k Data/Fax Modem. But I still can't find the right drivers and I don't even know if this will help with the internet connection or not, I'm going to guess that's the slot my ethernet cable is plugged into though.

Also I have no sound, but it doesn't appear to be missing any drivers when I go onto the device manager list.

For the record, my PC is a PC Company one, which I think was only manufactured in NZ and they don't operate anymore so I can't even access resources from their website.

If you need anymore info from me please let me know but I'd be interested to see if anyone knows what I have done wrong. Thank you

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Wrong? Just attempting to install XP will strip IT gears.
Jul 26, 2019 10:44PM PDT

I found it was nearly impossible with XP. I had to get XP running then the drivers for the Ethernet and then let it update to SP3 then, finally I could install the XP SP3 WiFi drivers.

As to the Rockwell, good luck. I haven't seen anyone setup DIALUP in over a decade.

In parting, there is no step by step for this OS and your PC. Guides maybe but a Data/Fax modem is not Ethernet. If you don't know this, google up more the data/fax modem but today, garbage to most as there are few dialup ISPs left.

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XP's install is far too arcane for folk today.
Jul 26, 2019 11:08PM PDT

While a seasoned IT staffer and others can pull it off, if this is your first full Windows install you chose the wrong version to install. You can't use the browser in XP SP3 so there's that beyond the XP install, all the updates along the way to SP3 and then you find the installer (you) blowing up as they can't use the browser in the OS since the Internet has moved on to https and so on.

So you're back on google to find the last few browsers to download, put on USB or CD and get that installed.

-> My best advice is to forget this and go install Linux Mint. Far easier and less work. You'll get Chrome and if you need an Office suite, Libreoffice. Most folk don't need much more than that.

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Answer
56k modem and ethernet?
Jul 26, 2019 11:13PM PDT

That modem has an ethernet port connector on it?! I would expect either a USB or an RS232 (9 or 25 pin) serial connector on it, if it's an external dialup (phone) modem. You said a PCI driver needed, which means this is in a PCI slot on the computer? We'd need more info on the equipment to help. Do you have an DVD drive on this computer? Dialup is probably still available with Juno or NetZero.

Post was last edited on July 26, 2019 11:15 PM PDT