wireless router and LAN question

[roy67ss]

Hi guys,

I would like to setup a wireless network in my home that would allow me to share files,printers and internet. At present, I have the main pc connected to the internet with a ADSL internal modem and have setup a direct parallel connection with my laptop that is running Win2k pro. I also have 2 old desktops running Win98se that are 166 and 200mhz systems. I have a 2gig and a 260mb harddrive to pick from.
Can I do the following setup in order to get internet, printer and file sharing wirelessly?
I would put the ADSL modem into the old 166 desktop, setup internet connection sharing back to a wireless broadband router via ethernet cable and then connect the main pc and the laptop wirelessly to the router. In essence, would this make the old desktop a server ? I would only load the minimal amount of windows necessary for the modem and ICS on the old desktop. Will this work and will I lose much connection speed because of the slower processor in the old pc? Which harddrive should I use as I'm sure I can get enough of the windows 98 on the little one. The router would have the firewall.
I guess what I'm realy trying to do is not have to buy an external dsl modem to set up a small wireless network.
I welcome your opinions and any advice you may have for me.

[Rick]

What your asking can be done.
But the slow 166 will affect the transfer speed.
Of the other systems. (Everything has to pass through the 166)
Use the larger hard drive and as Much Memory as you can

Having it setup for a server will work.
Strip down every thing in the 166.
Then use the connection and ICS setup .

The problem is the ICS in win98 is poor
There are other programs to use in place of the win98 ics
Unfortunately the one I used in the past is out of business

[roy67ss]

Would the D-Link router likely come with ICS software ?
I would likely use the 200 machine and as much as 192 ram.

Thanks

[Rick]

Yes the D-Link would help.
BUT Only if you add an external modem.
The bottle neck is the server 166 or 200
Passing Everything through it to the rest of the network

with that much ram And setting it up as a server in the 200 should help.
win98 taking the first 24 to 40 meg for itself
and server setting allowing for a large cache

I'd try it with Nothing else running on the server..

BUT you would need to run a firewall on the server to be safe.
The affect of running just a firewall may slow it way down.
If you also add anti virus to the server it will make you think your on old 56k dial up