OK, since M$'s software is so expensive, I have devised an easy way to get online with Microsoft for free.
Materials:
Pentium I or older machine with CDROM, and a clean formatted hard disk.
Windows 3.1 compatible nic, like SMC EtherEZ, or NE2000 isa card.
Dos 6.22 on floppies (use the disk makers to make the floppies)
Available Here
Windows 3.11 on floppies (use the disk makers to make the floppies) or CDROM (unzip all zips int0o a directory on a CD)
Available Here
Windows tcp/ip protocol for windows 3.11
Available Here
IE5.01 for Windows 3.11
Available Here
CDROM Driver for dos, load these files to a floppy
Available Here
Steps:
Make the disks with dos 6.22 on them, should be 3 of them.
Insert the #1 disk into the floppy drive.
Boot the computer, and install dos, should be easy.
Restart the PC, and install the CDROM driver for dos off the floppy by typing a: (enter button) then install (enter button) .
Restart the PC.
Insert the CD containing the windows folder, or the floppy #1 of the 8 disk set.
For Floppies, type a: (enter button) then setup . For CD, type D: (enter button) then cd\directory you extracted the windows install files to *ex. cd\win311* (enter button) then type setup (enter button)
Go through all the steps.
When done, restart the PC.
It will load to the dos prompt.
Type win (enter button)
Windows will load.
Click the Network folder on the program area in windows.
Click the Installed networks area, if you notice, the old protocols are still installed, delete the installed protocols.
Click the add button, and click protocol, select the unlisted or updated option.
Find the tcp/ip files you extracted, and select that directory.
Windows should configure this for you, except you will need to select *detect using dhcp* or enter your ip, and isp information.
Restart the computer.
Type win (enter button) at dos prompt
Then find where you put the ie5 install file, and install it, just like windows 98, well almost.
When IE is done installing, restart the PC (clicking *file* then Exit windows) and restarting the pc at the dos prompt, after dos has loaded type win (enter button) at dos prompt.
Click Internet tools folder, and then click Internet explorer.
It will prompt you to install a modem, click cancel.
When IE loads, goto the tools tab, and click Internet options.
Goto the area called *connections*
Click the area that says something like *use the LAN or other Internet dialer*
Exit IE, and reload it.
If you followed these instructions carefully you will have Internet access.
OK, you are still using 16 colors, and Internet doesn't like 16 colors.
You will need to install your video drivers, you can get multiple drivers for windows 3.11 at
www.driverguide.com, with a free sign up.
After you install the drivers and restarted and typed win (enter button) at the c:\, goto the main folder on the program area and click windows setup. There should be a tab to change settings, and go there and click the tab down on the video area, click in the card you installed, and the resolution you want, as well as color depth. If you cant get a driver for windows 3.11, click the super VGA 256 color option. 256 colors aren't great, but aren't terrible either.
After you are done, restart windows like I stated before.
----NOTE---Do not type the asterisks (*<these are asterisks>*)------
Once you’re at the dos prompt c:\.
Type edit *autoexec.bat*
Then add the command *win* under the last text line of the file.
Hit alt, then scroll down to the save option, hit enter. Then alt then exit.
Hit the restart button on the PC, and it should load windows on startup.
Yeah, you have successfully made a windows 3.11 Internet machine, a free Microsoft system...
Note:
This is difficult, and quite pointless, but if you are like me, you should have fun doing it, it is quite a feat to do. Please also note this was typed up on the same Windows 3.11 Machine.
-Written by Alex Rushing for
www.ubertechworld.com on 02-17-2006- -All rights reserved-
