Laptops and Wireless Routers

[sam182]

Just received a laptop, set it up as far as I could but it says it is blocked until I connect to the internet. Tried to sign up with Tiscali but already have an account with them for the main PC, they said I would need a Wireless Router for the laptop to get connected.( My laptop does have a WIFI function.)These cost �80 and the main computer will have to be connected to this instead of the modem. Also, cant use my laptop away from my house unless the area or other property has a router, then I have to log on somehow to theirs! Help me this is really confusing me

[Ethel]

Just as your television aerial will not work unless there is a transmitter beaming out the signal, your laptop cannot connect wirelessly to the internet unless there is a signal for it to pick up.

As far as I know, you can connect any router to your modem. You can buy them from around �30 upwards. When it is set up properly it will beam a signal around your home allowing your laptop to connect wirelessly.

If you are out and about, you will need to find a different signal to connect to. These are called hotspots and you usually, but not always, have to pay to connect.

If you are in another person's home they will need to have a router for you to connect to.

[poinsy]

Well, firstly, you do not NEED a wireless router, as you could simply connect the modem to the laptop via a cable (typically USB), install any drivers for it and off you go. However, as wireless routers are pretty cheap these days, you would normally use one of these instead. Also, most of them include an ADSL modem, so you would discard the existing modem, physically connect the main PC to the router via a LAN cable (normally included with the router, else a couple of quid), and connect wirelessly to the router via the laptop as Ethel suggests.

Also, regarding the laptop issue when "away from my house", as Ethel says, there are hotspots for which you normally need to pay as you go, and then there are standard wireless networks, like your friends and neighbours may possess. If you go around to a friends house and want to connect to their wireless network, if it is unsecured (hopefully not), then it is dead easy, simply click on the wireless icon in the system tray, then View Wireless Networks, choose the listed network and connect. Dead easy. If the network is secured, just a bit more work involved as you will need a key (a password effectively) which your friend can give you. Also, if they have turned SSID broadcast off, you will not see it in the list of available wireless networks (it is INVISIBLE), however, fear not, it is there... you simply have to add it manually (click the wireless icon again, then Properties, then the Wireless Networks Tab, then Add and off you go...

Good luck.

[Ricky martin]

Hi friend!
Any wireless network problem!
Here is a link I suggest you and I hope this will help you!
WAN networking

[Ricky martin]

Reply if it is useful!