F5F Stay Refreshed Power Users Networks Is it really hard to connect my laptop to the internet now, just using a regular phone jack on the wall?

Is it really hard to connect my laptop to the internet now, just using a regular phone jack on the wall?

Is it really hard to connect my laptop to the internet now, just using a regular phone jack on the wall?

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_Hustle_
Junior Member
46
03-24-2026, 10:31 AM
#1
Hey everyone! I have an old laptop that doesn't have a standard Ethernet port. It only has a phone jack. Is it possible to connect the internet through that phone socket? Maybe by using something like an ethernet-to-phone adapter. I want to avoid using a USB WiFi adapter because their drivers don't work with Windows 9X.
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_Hustle_
03-24-2026, 10:31 AM #1

Hey everyone! I have an old laptop that doesn't have a standard Ethernet port. It only has a phone jack. Is it possible to connect the internet through that phone socket? Maybe by using something like an ethernet-to-phone adapter. I want to avoid using a USB WiFi adapter because their drivers don't work with Windows 9X.

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Avatar__Kyoshi
Junior Member
47
03-26-2026, 09:47 AM
#2
I know you'd need dial up service right now. You should check if it's actually available where you live. If so, there are no emulators or adapters I'm aware of that can turn this kind of modem into a LAN-compatible device today.
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Avatar__Kyoshi
03-26-2026, 09:47 AM #2

I know you'd need dial up service right now. You should check if it's actually available where you live. If so, there are no emulators or adapters I'm aware of that can turn this kind of modem into a LAN-compatible device today.

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Bambook
Member
165
03-26-2026, 10:33 AM
#3
So, why are you looking at this old Win 9x computer besides just hoping a little bit of paint dries on it?
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Bambook
03-26-2026, 10:33 AM #3

So, why are you looking at this old Win 9x computer besides just hoping a little bit of paint dries on it?

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sasukeboy123
Junior Member
31
03-26-2026, 03:05 PM
#4
I'll just do some messing around. Basically, I really want a cool old computer and operating system. I'd like it for sure that my laptop actually turns on and runs.
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sasukeboy123
03-26-2026, 03:05 PM #4

I'll just do some messing around. Basically, I really want a cool old computer and operating system. I'd like it for sure that my laptop actually turns on and runs.

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Stromineur
Member
206
03-29-2026, 04:05 PM
#5
Is this machine so outdated it won't even get online? Does the built-in web browser on this thing work with modern websites anymore?
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Stromineur
03-29-2026, 04:05 PM #5

Is this machine so outdated it won't even get online? Does the built-in web browser on this thing work with modern websites anymore?

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DylanInSA
Member
123
03-31-2026, 04:00 PM
#6
It works, but only when you press a button. If you try to connect to an online thing, it won't happen because your internet browser doesn't have the right security tools (SSL/TLS) that some websites require to talk to them.
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DylanInSA
03-31-2026, 04:00 PM #6

It works, but only when you press a button. If you try to connect to an online thing, it won't happen because your internet browser doesn't have the right security tools (SSL/TLS) that some websites require to talk to them.

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OldClassicFun
Member
69
04-01-2026, 07:17 AM
#7
My computer runs Internet Explorer. I put up a virtual machine running Windows 98 the other day. The internet was working fine, but not all websites opened well.
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OldClassicFun
04-01-2026, 07:17 AM #7

My computer runs Internet Explorer. I put up a virtual machine running Windows 98 the other day. The internet was working fine, but not all websites opened well.

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littledud22
Junior Member
48
04-01-2026, 08:33 AM
#8
There are lots of versions for Internet Explorer. Things that work on Windows 9x are no longer okay to use. Also, a virtual machine feels totally different from just using an old laptop by itself.
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littledud22
04-01-2026, 08:33 AM #8

There are lots of versions for Internet Explorer. Things that work on Windows 9x are no longer okay to use. Also, a virtual machine feels totally different from just using an old laptop by itself.

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avunge
Junior Member
13
04-02-2026, 05:42 AM
#9
Hey there! Please check out these Windows Legacy forums at People who visit those spots often share their ideas with us.
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avunge
04-02-2026, 05:42 AM #9

Hey there! Please check out these Windows Legacy forums at People who visit those spots often share their ideas with us.