i'm not understanding this WiFi/wireless internet stuff.

over the weekend, i figured i'd try to take my new laptop out to the coffee shop and figure out how to use wifi so i could have a lovely day banning orgers while sitting by a crackling fireplace and sipping a cup of overpriced joe, but i couldn't figure out how to get the damn thing to work.

i THINK my new laptop is outfitted with wireless internet capabilities...it has a little radar lookin' button on it and when i press it, a little radar icon pops up. i've tried to use my windows connection wizard and that makes no sense at all to me.

i've done a little bit of research online and the only thing i've discovered is that if i don't have wireless internet hardware, it's not too expensive to buy. other than that, i'm freakin' clueless.

anyone know of any good resources for someone completely clueless about wireless internet stuff?

Anxiety said:

if your new laptop is.....new, it should have that capability in it already. IF I recall, you need to do something like click on that radar icon, or search for a connection.....I did this in a hotel in Denver, because they had wifi, but it was kind of a pain in the ass. I am sure it must be easier when its a coffeeshop, rather than a hotel, pilfering for cash..... I wasn't helpful at all, Anx.....

bluesbaby said:

you were a little helpful...i wasn't sure if i had wireless internet on my laptop or not - just because i have the button and the icon doesn't necessarily mean i have the hardware, but i think you're right...i think it's a standard thing these days, and my laptop is brand spankin' new. i wish i knew how to run a test to be sure, but until then i'm gonna assume you're right.

i've seen some freeware online for wifi detection software that's supposed to automatically find and connect your laptop if you're in a wifi hotspot. does anyone know if that's any good?

Anxiety said:

Mate your laptop should already have that built in.
If you have xp pro you should hit the button and turn the wireless on.Once it is on go to start,control panel,network connections and look at the wireless connection. Check the box that says show icon when connected and show when limited that way its easy to see.
That should give you an icon in your system tray on the bottom right of the screen. Once you have that double click it and and you can click the view wireless networks button and search for local wireless connections, once it has picked up any of those you can double click on the one you want and you are away. Most coffee shops are free but a lot of hotel charge. Let me know if you want any more info.

mdiver said:

aha! so that's what i'm doing when i click the little radar/satellite button thingie and a box pops up with an icon that i can toggle to have a red circle w/ a line through it (meaning, i guess, i'm turning on/off my wireless internet capabilities)?

i feel so "tarzan vs. civilization" about this.

Anxiety said:

newb

jerseykrs said:

so basically, when jers is permabanned, you'll know i figured it out.

Anxiety said:

Pretty much mate so a sweep and see what you pick up...as long as the networks you try and connect to are DHCP you should be ok because as default the network connection will auto detect those settings and away you go