KVR Audio

Jeremy_NSL · Post by **Jeremy_NSL** » Mon Mar 21, 2005 6:57 pm

I do freelance computer tech work, often housecalls. Sometimes I run into a problem: an older computer requires a reinstall of win 95/98/me. Which is easy to do. The problem is that once the reinstall is complete, sometimes the Ethernet adapter isn't detected by the OS disk, and thus internet access is disabled. This compounds the problem if vga adapters etc aren't detected, because now I can't get on the internet to download the proper drivers! In these situations I usually have to take the computer home with me, download the drivers on my computer and copy them over with floppy/cd. Clients don't like this, and they don't understand either.

In the long-term, I'd like to bring a laptop to troubleshoot these types of problems, but money is short right now.

Instead, basically what I'm looking for is some sort of cd with a complete set of win9x drivers for all (or close to all) ethernet adapters. Does such a thing exist? It could save me some major headaches... Thanks alot.

whyterabbyt · Post by **whyterabbyt** » Mon Mar 21, 2005 7:32 pm

What about getting one of the 'Live' type Linux distros that runs from a CD and take a serial-port modem you know will work with it with you. Lighter and cheaper than a laptop...

Jeremy_NSL · Post by **Jeremy_NSL** » Mon Mar 21, 2005 7:38 pm

I have one of those Live linux distros and use it occassionally to burn off cds before wiping a non-working system. Trouble is, it (Knoppix) doesn't work well with older computers with little ram.

However, I was just talking to a friend and she mentioned a usb-ethernet adapter she has lying around. With the proper drivers for it, it should work on most older computer to get net access running.

I'd still be interested in a ethernet driver cd though - some comps I work on don't even have usb.

djsubject · Post by **djsubject** » Mon Mar 21, 2005 7:47 pm

only thought that comes to mind is travel with 2 cheap network cards one pci & that other big black one that i cant rember the name of (with drivers of course)

well not the best idea but beats taking the blody thing home

Stupid American Pig · Post by **Stupid American Pig** » Mon Mar 21, 2005 8:06 pm

well I guess you answered yer own question- go out to linksys, 3 com, netgear, etc, and download all of their network drivers and burn it to a few CDs. Also, do the same with video adapters.

Jeremy_NSL · Post by **Jeremy_NSL** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 12:42 am

S_A_P® wrote:well I guess you answered yer own question- go out to linksys, 3 com, netgear, etc, and download all of their network drivers and burn it to a few CDs. Also, do the same with video adapters.

Yeah, I can do that.. Was just sorta hoping someone had already compiled such a thing.

apflaum · Post by **apflaum** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 1:59 am

i cant put up with anyone running windows 95/98. time to upgrade to a new pc or throw out your current pc at least, god.

Warmonger · Post by **Warmonger** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 2:06 am

Can't you just download the drivers before you do the reinstall? I guess this doesn't work if the computer is totally non-functional though.

Jeremy_NSL · Post by **Jeremy_NSL** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 2:19 am

apflaum wrote:i cant put up with anyone running windows 95/98. time to upgrade to a new pc or throw out your current pc at least, god.

Yeah, I agree.. But I am getting paid to fix their computers, not advise them on purchasing a new one. Lots of clients couldn't care less about the details, they just want a working computer /w their current hardware, NOW.

freeztar · Post by **freeztar** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 4:40 am

Hey floyd,
I just started my own company doing home pc repair, upgrades, whatnot. So if you come across a driver collection or feel like sharing one you make, please PM me, I will do the same.

The usb/pcmcia network adapters are not a good idea in general. I was working on a comp the other day and couldn't get the system to properly detect the card. I tried a few things and finally went to the system properties and saw 32MB ram

. I had to tell her that she wasn't going to be able to network on that laptop. In her mind, I'm sure she was discouraged at both her laptop's inability and having to pay me when I didn't even "fix" her problem.
BTW, How do you deal with such situations? I'm just waiting for a customer to refuse to pay me because I couldn't "fix" their problem.

Jeremy_NSL · Post by **Jeremy_NSL** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 4:56 am

freeztar wrote:The usb/pcmcia network adapters are not a good idea in general. I was working on a comp the other day and couldn't get the system to properly detect the card. I tried a few things and finally went to the system properties and saw 32MB ram . I had to tell her that she wasn't going to be able to network on that laptop. In her mind, I'm sure she was discouraged at both her laptop's inability and having to pay me when I didn't even "fix" her problem.
BTW, How do you deal with such situations? I'm just waiting for a customer to refuse to pay me because I couldn't "fix" their problem.

I'm a bit confused there

32mb RAM is crappy, but it shouldn't affect detection of a usb or pcmcia nic.

I've had some unhappy clients - not to sound too snobby but usually its because they just didn't understand the problem or the solution. Just like anything else, fear of the unknown can cause anger and frustration.

My policy in those situations is simple. I give them a deal (usually 25-50% off). It doesn't matter if I did flawless work, and their computer crapped out, or whatever. Its just easier to take a bit of a loss on the job and keep them happy (and perhaps calling you again or recommending you).

But I draw the line at working for free. No matter what happens, I'm an expert and my time is worth money. I recommend you do the same.

Good luck freeztar! (PM me if you want to talk about anything else - I've been doing this for awhile...)

apflaum · Post by **apflaum** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 7:17 am

HAHHA yea its hilarious actually, i mean you gotta make your money, have a job, its just like..hehe they are gonna be forced to buy a new one sooo soon anyway. im a thread hijacker now.

Jeremy_NSL · Post by **Jeremy_NSL** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 7:38 am

actually I have no problem telling clients sometimes it will be cheaper to buy a new computer than to pay me to fix their old one. Its always their decision - even after I tell them that almost 100% still want me to fix the old comp!

freeztar · Post by **freeztar** » Wed Mar 23, 2005 4:08 am

Thanks floyd! It feels good to have the ball rolling on this (I'm creating my website tonight www.compubetter.com). I've been doing this stuff for friends for free for years now. It's time to put that accumulated knowledge to work for me

. I appreciate the PM offer, I'm sure I'll want to talk to somebody about the business once I get my feet wet and have more specific questions.

floyd wrote: I'm a bit confused there 32mb RAM is crappy, but it shouldn't affect detection of a usb or pcmcia nic.

Well, I checked the linksys box and it had 64MB listed as a requirement. I found some that only required 32MB of ram, but they also required 300mhz pentium and she was running on a 233mhz laptop.

Cabinfever · Post by **Cabinfever** » Wed Mar 23, 2005 5:41 am

freeztar wrote:I tried a few things and finally went to the system properties and saw 32MB ram . I had to tell her that she wasn't going to be able to network on that laptop.

i have a 48Mb win98 laptop running on a network with a pcmcia wireless card. there is no reason why a 32Mb laptop won't get on the network....

also, i can't imagine trying to do this sort of work without a laptop ready to go online at the clients premises. i suggest that anyone serious about business *needs* this.

otherwise its like a carpenter turning up without his tools

Trouble setting up ethernet on older computers