What should I do?

Bin the thing and spend 15 bucks on a proper ethernet card from a company that's still in business and has driver updates.

Think about it:

- Your time futzing around trying to find drivers is worth more than $15.00.

- Knowing you've got driver updates available for peripherals is a good thing.

- She's your MOM, for goodness sake. Isn't she worth 15 bucks?