DOS PCMCIA network cards?

T-R-A February 18, 2019 at 12:40:31

To put it simply....no. "Channeling the spirit of jboy..."

I found three more of these laptop cards. DGI p/n:146138-000 3Com Megahertz 3CCFEM556B IBM FRU:04K0054 (Model:XJ1560) Would any of these be useful to DOS?

T-R-A February 21, 2019 at 17:19:53

Specifically, what is it you're trying to accomplish here? Is it networking two laptops together (which would be done far better in at least WfWG 3.11), or are you just getting rid of hardware? DOS networking can be done, but it requires much more involvement than having a version of Windows installed... "Channeling the spirit of jboy..." message edited by T-R-A

I thought I might make use of one of the cards in a laptop. If it makes any difference, I've got WFWG 3.11 also. Adding a laptop to the workgroup would be nice. Oh.. sorry, I had not thought to ask, I guess I do have quite a few of them. T-R-A did you want an old PCMCIA networking card?

T-R-A February 22, 2019 at 02:23:54

Thanks for the offer, but no. I have enough (i.e.---way too much) hardware for myself as it is... I gather you've seen something like this as far as DOS networking is concerned: http://www.kompx.com/en/network-set... "Channeling the spirit of jboy..."

Yes, DOS networking is what I was asking about. Although this hardware seems unfit for newer systems, DOS might benefit from such cards. Are any of these cards relevant to DOS networking?

T-R-A February 22, 2019 at 10:34:14

Basically anything wireless wouldn't have any use in MS-DOS. But you may find out something here about Free DOS: http://freedos.sourceforge.net/wiki... "Channeling the spirit of jboy..."

(which would be done far better in at least WfWG 3.11) Are any of the cards of use to DOS, with WFWG 3.11?

T-R-A February 22, 2019 at 17:33:12

A google search would help you far better than I can, but from what I see, the IBM XJ1560 isn't even a network card...it's a fax/modem. It's highly unlikely that any PCMCIA network cards made in the last 15-20 years have Win3.1 or DOS drivers. You specifically need something for an older laptop (say around 386/486 era) made at least 20 years ago...maybe older. It's hard to say when something like that would come along on e-bay. "Channeling the spirit of jboy..." message edited by T-R-A

Are you suggesting that I should google myself? If you don't know that's OK. WOW! you think these cards are that new? You're right, T-R-A, perhaps I should list them on ebay. I guess my DOS question remains yet unanswered.

T-R-A February 23, 2019 at 13:02:04

"You're right, T-R-A, perhaps I should list them on ebay." Likely your best option. It's not that DOS-networking can't be done at all, but DOS was quite limited in what it could really do. Networking on the PC, per se, wasn't really popular until WfWG3.11/Win95. Nonetheless, Mike Brutman has done some amazing work with explaining DOS networking and with creating mTCP (a set of applications for very low-end IBM PC compatible machines). You may want to look more into it if you're still serious about networking a DOS machine: http://www.brutman.com/Dos_Networking/ http://www.brutman.com/mTCP/mTCP.html "Channeling the spirit of jboy..." message edited by T-R-A

Thank you for all the interesting ideas, T-R-A.

T-R-A February 23, 2019 at 20:18:31

Not a problem. Still yearn for the "good-ole-days" (i.e.---before the internet) myself sometimes.... "Channeling the spirit of jboy..."

If you are correct, then these cards came out after the internet was well established. Although there may have been pre-internet problems, most of my questions have been post-internet. My question was not about the internet. It was of the utility of the PCMCIA cards for DOS users. I found some other PCMCIA devices. CompactFlash ADAPTER (S/N:C020030655) EXP CD-865 10X CD-ROM (T010) I certainly hope that your good-ole-days extend far into the future, T-R-A. Thank you for your help.

T-R-A February 25, 2019 at 18:52:14

The CF adapter may have some use to DOS, provided you find the proper drivers for it (a serial number really doesn't state much)... The CD Rom (assuming it isn't USB) would probably work in DOS as well (assuming it is also PCMCIA), again if you can find the appropriate drivers... "Channeling the spirit of jboy..."

I shall investigate these devices further. Although the PCMCIA CD reader fell off the table yesterday, it still seems to spin. It's great to see that there's still some utility left in ya T-R-A. Thanks for all the advice.