Hi I have an old laptop running Windows 3.11 and was wondering how easy it would be to connect it to the internet. I dont have a modem - are any still available that are compatible? (i have a PCMCIA slot)

The Shiva dialer that comes with Explorer for Win3.1 is easy to set up. Then you have a choice of any or all of Explorer, Navigator and Opera among more recent 16-bit browsers. I prefer Opera3.60 but Explorer5 is needed for any commercial sites with a lot of JavaScript. I can just about stand using it on a 486-25. I prefer a stand-alone email client, FoxMail in particular, but the browsers have email capabilities, though it's send-only in Opera3.6x. Get yourself an external "hardware" modem, most probably secondhand. Definitely don't get a "WinModem". If you need the portability, get a PCMCIA type, but make sure you can use it.

ive already downloaded AOL 3.0 (as it fits on a floppy and i have an account with them) which i think i am right in saying uses IE. Could i use IE5 with this and how much disk space would it use. Lastly, what sort of modem do i need. i read something about 14.4 in the manual but i cant find it now - is a standard 56k ok? cheers

The older laptops have a different PCMCIA standard than the new 56K There are still plenty of PCMCIA modem cards that you can buy for an older laptop. A 14.4 PCMCIA modem will work in your computer but it is pretty slow. You would be better off getting a 28.8 or 33.6 that was compatible with your laptop. Do a search on GOOGLE for "PCMCIA MODEM" that will give you a lot of results, you could further narrow it down by clicking on SEARCH WITHIN RESULTS and then adding 33.6 Find a site that has a phone number with someone you can call and confirm compatibility

Thanks everyone for the help - i think im getting to grips with it now. Couple of final questions: Where can i download Explorer 5 for 3.11 if it exists What is the fastest modem i can get (would an external be faster than a pcmcia one)

well...pcmcia modems are more abundant...you need to install software I believe to make them work in 3.1, i don't think there is automatic support. an external serial port modem 28.8k or less is your best bet(imo)...3.1 will recognize it and assign it a driver automatically...at least I have found it will...over 28.8 and you have to go about loading drivers...although I am sure this is not always the case

Get in touch if you want IE5 divided (as far as possible) into floppy-sized chunks, or get it from tucows. It needs 30MB free diskspace during the installation (12MB ehn installed?). Don't install the dialer if you're sticking with AOL. PCMCIA modems certainly aren't more abundant in my part of the world, and are naturally considered a premium item. An external serial hardware modem won't need a driver. Run MSD from the DOS prompt and see if you have a 16550 UART for your COM port (not an 8250 or 16450). If you have, you can use a 56k modem; otherwise there will be overruns and a fast modem won't be able to deliver a good throughput -- but you can still use it. If you've got the fast UART and a fast serial modem you should search for info on replacing COMM.DRV