I have a older computer with a hard drive that is not Internet-ready.?

You need a network card.

First the Internet phone, DSL, Ethernet cables do not hook to hard rive directly. The connection cable hooks into the modem. Look next to the plug that your phone line connects to the modem and see if their is a slightly larger connection. You can go to a computer store like Fry's Electronics, Circuit City or Best Buy and take the name, model number and any information you have and ask for help selecting the correct and needed parts.

Hope this helps

Hi Jen...,

A hard drive has nothing to do with Internet connection :), it is only needed to save your files and operating system, i.e. Windows XP.

The hardware (or equipment) that is required to connect to Internet is called "Modem" unless you are connecting to Internet through a local server then you need a LAN card.

In today's mother boards, everything is built-in (or pre-installed). Just load up Windows XP, get yourself an Internet Service Provider (ISP), connect the cable to Modem or LAN card and that's it you are ready to surf and chat.

Note: There are different types of Modems for different types of connection, i.e. dial-up modems, cable modems and DSL modems, etc.

If you need more details, please read:

http://www.centerspan.org/tutorial/connect.htm

Hope it helps!

Mohammad Taimur

smart031279

what kind of internet? dialup or dsl/cable? machine may work with dialup, but if you're going to run dsl/cable need minimum windows 98SE, 128 ram and at least 300-400mgh processor and 5 gig free hard drive space. if you have that, can buy a USB to Network adapter (make sure it has drivers for windows 98 if that's what you have) and plug into a USB port (assuming you have at least one free one). frankly would not spend time or money to make that computer dsl capable.

A NIC or network interface card or ethernet card.. if the PC is old you may need to open up the computer case and see if you have any white slots available - they're called PCI slots.

Although if your calling a computer the 'hard drive' it may be over your head a bit. Because you have to make sure you don't have an ESD (static discharge) & kill the PC.

If the PC is that old, it will not make for an enjoyable internet experience. 8MB RAM?

Not likely to get antivirus apps that will work with it either.

I recommend an upgrade. Brand new or used is up to you.

You mean tower not hard drive.

you can use USB modem