Getting an old Computer online with Android Ethernet tethering

speckx 14 points 4 comments May 21, 2026
82mhz.net · View on Hacker News

Discussion Highlights (4 comments)

mukul_d

I recently repurposed a 2010 era Gateway computer with no WiFi. I got Debian installed on it and got it online through hardwire connection. It is running Debain 13 which is the latest release in server mode. It replaced a 2011 MacBook pro running Ubuntu to host my website at https://www.dharwadkar.com . It is running blazing fast. Curious to hear your thoughts

bitwize

You can make a wifi bridge with a PC, even a Raspberry Pi, running IP masquerading and connecting as a wifi client. I use a Qotom mini PC with 5 NICs for this purpose and connect a whole wired network at my desk.

firecall

Back in the old days we needed to make an Ethernet Crossover Cable to get this to work. Modern ethernet supports Auto MDI-X, which manages that automagically for you. > https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethernet_crossover_cable

rootsudo

Had that similar T series thinkpad 20 years ago too I would say since it has mpci it’s easy enough to patch the bios and run a newer WiFi chip inside so you’re not locked into this but this is a great workout for older pcs. Alternatively, many usb WiFi dongles do have windows xp support but yeah with the new standards def something else. It’s a cool workaround!

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