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ISP server does not support Win 95 ...

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by jardinier

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I received a card from a friend which included the following: "My server has installed new hardware not compatible with Windows 95 for connecting to Internet."
Well this is a new one to me. Any comments or insight? My friend has placed a layby on an almost new computer.
It is a small ISP designed to cater for the metropolitan area of Sydney and adjoining areas.

10 replies

by hal 9000

A part payment on something and pay it off before collecting it from whoever. Sought of like a loan but without the product or interest.

Actually this one doesn't make any sence to me either and if they can support 98 exactly what is the difference between these two OS's they are still a Windows Platform on a DOS shell. Maybe it's all marketing and this ISP gets an advance from M$ for saying this but even still we have some pretty harsh Trade Pratices Laws here so they can not tell a direct lie without running the risk of a heavy fine. But as both OS support HTTP and TCP/IP I can't see exactly what the difference is either.

by hal 9000

When I was in a department store who had a sale on something and had jun out of stock so they where accepting "Rainchecks" for orders on these items.

There was one woman who desperatly wanted one of these items and after finding out y=that they where out of stock then went on to ask a few questions then finished by asking for "A Wetcheck for the rained out item" she imediatly went a bright shade of red when she realised what she had said bvecause wetchech is a brand of condom over here.

by cactus pete

They probably are just saying that so they don't have to support other operating system differences when people call in saying that they can't access the internet anymore. Of course, that would be silly, since there a few differences in networking within the 9x family.

But they might be providing a USB modem for which there are no 95 drivers... If that is the case, just make sure you're connecting through a CAT-5 NIC instead of ethernet over USB... They should have that option.

Also, they might be trying to install management software on the users' PCs. This is not at all necessary for it to function properly, but then they don't have the ability to control your machine remotely, or pop up ads there, or collect usage information...

These are all common issues I've seen with providers here in the states. There may even be more out there, but I just haven't come across them yet.

One of my favorite claims is when the service provider tells me I have to have Windows XP, 2000, or ME - or MAC. I tell them I have a Linux box and they say they can't support it. I then tell them that it's been running just fine for the past 1.5 years...

So they make me switch the inbound line over to a windows machine to test with it. I usually just lie to them and tell them I've tried the troubleshooting and it's still not getting a signal. [Like adding DNS entries in Windows is gonna help the light on the external modem come on...] Ok, I'm done ranting.

by maxwell edison

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I didn't think about a USB modem being the incompatible hardware. I have a remote site with Direcway satellite as the ISP, and their modem only comes in the USB variety, or so they claim.

And you're right, W95 didn't initially come with USB support. However, didn't the later "B" version and/or "C" version of W95 have limited USB support?

by jardinier

I have a Windows 95 disc which states on the disc "Copyright 1981-1997)." When installed, the identification number ends with "B"

Also on the disc is the statement "With USB Support." However I have been told by many people that it does not in fact support USB.

Colin has told me the story of a Microsoft Partners meeting to demonstrate the wonderful new feature. Unfortunately it failed to work.

by hal 9000

It could be the ISP software where the ISP problem lies as they like AOL want you to use their software instead of that supplied with Windows. But even then while it has been a little while since I've actually attempted to work on a 9x OS most if not all the programs that I used to use back then would run on both OS's but it could be something that is more related to the hardware than the Software as a lot of Win 95 units where underpowered with slow CPU's little RAM and things like that. If I remember correctly and I may be wrong here I think you could install 95 on a 486DX with 1 MEG of RAM and a small video card so this could be the percieved problem but if the unit was faster than that it should work fine even if it is only a 200 MMX or something similar from AMD.

Perhaps it requires a phone call to the ISP to get more information on this one as I just can't see any real difference between the 9x OS's. Then again I have a P 90 running 98 SE here as a play toy that is very rearly used and then only when someone has a question about 98. I hardly think that would be a suitablre canidate for any ISP because of its speed.

by maxwell edison

I never did have to install any USB devices on my old Windows 95 machines, and I've been using Windows 2000 for quite some time now, so I don't have any first hand knowledge in making it work. However, it appears that if a person is willing to jump through a couple of hoops, it's possible.

Here's a link to a page that explains the process:

http://www.usbman.com/Win95%20USB%20Guide.htm

or tiny:

http://tinyurl.com/67lt

With an older computer, a BIOS upgrade may be necessary.

by jardinier

Firstly, I am glad I started this discussion because various interesting information has come forth.

So finally I rang the ISP, and while the service still works on Win 95, they don't provide technical support, partly because MS have also ceased technical support for Win 95. The person to whom I spoke said a number of ISPs had taken the same action.

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