Question on WIFI in Laptops

Legendiva · Joined: Apr 08, 2009 Posts: 1

Hi,
I have been researching for quite awhile and coming up with no clear answers to what seems like 2 straightforward questions concerning WIFI Connectivity:

1) Is it necessary to use a Notebook Card or ExpressCard in a WIFI-enabled Laptop to connect to the Internet; or, can you just connect without using a Card??

I have never used a HotSpot, but I am assuming that you would not be using the Notebook Card which is part of your Home Wireless Network, when you access a HotSpot somewhere.

2) So, is the process for connecting to a Home Wireless Network totally different from the process for connecting to a HotSpot??? )

( I am currently using a Belkin G Plus Wireless Router F5D7231-4, with a Desktop as the Host ( WinXP ), for Internet Connection only, no File or Printer Sharing: ( connected and is fine )

1) Laptop #1: Toshiba Satellite A105-S4274, using Belkin G Plus Wireless Notebook Card, ( Win XP ) ( connected and is fine )

Considering adding Laptop #2: Toshiba Satellite A305-S6825, ( Vista )
( No Belkin ExpressCard as of yet )
Set up as part of Network, Connection set up: all appear properly.
Shows 'Connected' but cannot get Online.

?? Is this simply because I currently do not have a Belkin ExpressCard installed ?

Legendiva

goretsky · Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2009 3:00 am Post subject:

Hello,

I would think that a Wi-Fi enabled notebook computer already had a Wi-Fi radio and antenna built into it. You can check this by visiting the notebook computer manufacturer's web site and viewing the user guide or manual for the particular model of notebook computer that you own. Of course, if you bought the notebook computer second-hand, the internal Wi-Fi adapter and antenna might be broken, removed or otherwse disabled.

A wireless hotspot usually refers to a publicly available Wi-Fi connection that you can connect to using your notebook. Some hotspots are free, while others require you to pay for access (usually by the hour or for the day). When one accesses a hotspot, one typically has to agree some sort of terms of use before being allowed to continue. In the event there is a charge for usage, a credit card number would have to be provided. Otherwise the process is similar to connecting to a home wireless network.

If you look in the Network adapters section of the Device Manager (filename: DEVMGMT.MSC) settings in your Toshiba Satellite A305-S6825, does it say that a wireless network adapter is installed?

Regards,

Aryeh Goretsky

cterrian · Joined: Jun 17, 2003 Posts: 59 Location: Atlanta GA Area

jjjacer · Joined: Apr 09, 2009 Posts: 1

As i work for a hotel guest tech support for internet, i know how confusing it can be for someone to connect elsewhere. Now most laptops since 2003-4 should have built in wireless, if your using wireless at home and dont use another card there is really no reason to get one to connect to a hotspot, as many hotspots use the same stuff you do at home just more commercial grade (sometimes...)

Normaly all you have to do is goto the hotspot. turn on your laptop, double click your wireless icon in the lower right and connect to the network provided there. you computer will then connect and when you try to open a webpage you will get a payment screen or a TOS screen were you can then accept and access the web.

NOTE: In most terms of usage, file sharing or heavy BW usage will result in being penalized or banned from the network do to effecting other users internet connections (think your sharing a normally average pipeline with alot of other users, so if you bittorent or use file sharing you can easily limit the available BW for others!!)