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I have a modern laptop running Windows 3.1 (with FreeDOS on the hard drive) which I want to connect to the Internet and use Internet Explorer 3, which I heard works with Windows 3.1.

I want to connect using Ethernet, but I’m worried it won’t work with my hardware, as it is so new. I also don't know what network card my laptop is using, as it’s not in the BIOS.

If anyone knows any good ideas, or modern hardware-ish drivers, please tell me, or at least how to do it without a modem.

I do not think this will work because of the hardware I am using, but a lot of things are possible these days, so I thought it might be worth a try.

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    You need to know what Ethernet adapter you have, and then find drivers for that specific adapter. We can't supply you with a boatload of random drivers.
    – Justme
    Apr 30 at 22:42
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    @Windows-'NT'- how to find which network adapter a modern computer has is not really retrocomputing. But surely you can find manufacturer specs for a modern computer?
    – Justme
    Apr 30 at 22:49
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    Windows 3.1 did not AFAIK come with TCP/IP built in. You needed Windows for Workgroups 3.11 for that, or else you needed a 3rd party product. Apr 30 at 23:58
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    SLIP or PPP over serial would probably be easier than Ethernet. Any modern ethernet card (i.e made after 1998) is unlikely to be supported on Win 3.1.
    – vidarlo
    May 1 at 9:39
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    In those daya, I remember using the trumpet winsock driver winworldpc.com/product/trumpet-winsock/3x You will also need a dos based packet driver.
    – camelccc
    May 1 at 18:57

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