Add a computer running Windows 98 or Windows Me to your network
Published: August 15, 2006
If you have a computer running Microsoft Windows 98 or Microsoft Windows Me, you can connect it to your home network and the Internet. While these versions of Windows are fully capable of networking and accessing the Internet, they were created when the Internet was still young. In the years after these operating systems were released, many new security threats have appeared, and if you use an older computer to access the Internet, you're more vulnerable to such threats. Windows XP is designed to protect you from these threats, and is much more reliable and secure when using the Internet. If possible, you should consider upgrading to Windows XP to better protect your computer from Internet threats.
If you cannot upgrade to Windows XP, you can improve the security of Windows 98 and Windows Me by following these guidelines:
To connect your Windows 2000-based computer to your network (the steps may vary slightly, depending on the software required for your network adapter)
1. | Shut down your computer, and install your network adapter. If you are installing a USB (Universal Serial Bus), CardBus, or CF card network adapter, you do not need to shut down your computer before installing the network adapter. |
2. | Start Windows, and log on as you normally would. |
3. | The Add New Hardware Wizard will appear. Click Next. 
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4. | The Found New Hardware Wizard asks you how you would like to find your driver. The driver is software Windows needs to communicate with your network adapter. Typically, it is included on a floppy disk or CD-ROM that came with your network adapter. Click Next. 
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5. | Insert the floppy disk or CD-ROM that came with your network adapter. If you are using a CD, select the CD-ROM drives check box. Then click Next. 
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6. | Click Next. 
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7. | Click Next again. 
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8. | Windows copies the files and installs the software for your network adapter. If prompted, insert your Windows CD, and then click OK. 
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9. | On the final page, click Finish. 
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10. | When prompted, click Yes to restart your computer. 
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After your computer restarts, log on normally. If you are connecting to a wired network, you are ready to use the Internet. If you are connecting to a wireless network, follow the instructions provided with your wireless network adapter to configure your wireless network connection.
