Using stray WiFi signals is not the way to get on the internet, and it may be illegal. You can not tap into just any signal you can receive. This is illegal, and can land you in court. It's just like hooking a phone to your neighbor's phone line. You are supposed to acquire an internet connection from your phone, cable or satellite supplier.

There are some free WiFi available areas, but not too many.

Your computer is not the problem, as you are trying to capture systems that are probably not close enough for reliable operation. Anything more than 100 feet or so is too far.

Dimension 9100, Dual-Boot Win XP SP2/ Vista Home Premium SP1, 3.0 GHz P4, 3 GB DDR2 533 MHz RAM, 160 GB SATA II Samsung (XP), 300 GB SATA II Seagate (Vista), 250 GB SimpleTech USB (WD Drive), Nvidia Go 6800 (425/825 MHz - XP, 400/800 MHz - Vista, Vista Driver - 169.25), Dell 1901 UltraSharp FP

Inspiron E1705, Win Vista Premium, T7200 Core 2 Duo (4MB, 2.0 GHz 667MHz), 2 GB DDR2 677 MHz RAM, 120 GB Samsung HD, Nvidia Go 7900 GS - 156.69 Driver, 17” Sharp UltraSharp TrueLife Wide-Screen WUXGA

It is ILLEGAL to use a wireless connection without permission. Someone has recently been arrested and charged for sitting in a Starbuck's parking lot and using their WiFi connection. What you are advocating is similar to it being OK to steal a car because the keys were left in it.

Dimension 9100, Dual-Boot Win XP SP2/ Vista Home Premium SP1, 3.0 GHz P4, 3 GB DDR2 533 MHz RAM, 160 GB SATA II Samsung (XP), 300 GB SATA II Seagate (Vista), 250 GB SimpleTech USB (WD Drive), Nvidia Go 6800 (425/825 MHz - XP, 400/800 MHz - Vista, Vista Driver - 169.25), Dell 1901 UltraSharp FP

Inspiron E1705, Win Vista Premium, T7200 Core 2 Duo (4MB, 2.0 GHz 667MHz), 2 GB DDR2 677 MHz RAM, 120 GB Samsung HD, Nvidia Go 7900 GS - 156.69 Driver, 17” Sharp UltraSharp TrueLife Wide-Screen WUXGA

Arcangel,

I use WiFi connections exclusively to get to the internet.

The public libraries in my area - Cleveland - have free WiFi; my church has it and invites members to use it, and some cafes have it too - the one I use is Panera's (a bakery chain in my area); Starbucks and Border's Books in my area have it but make you subscibe to either AT&T or TMobile before you gain access.

I myself could tap into other unsecured wireless networks of private individuals but I do not due to the fact that they are not mine and reliability at any rate is questionable.  If I had my own wireless network, I would definitely secure it.

RickM46

 i do not have an internet provider i just connect to a wireless network that the wifi catches and it says itd unsecured.... and its slow but the thing is the signal is strong good, very good, and excellent but still its slow is it a problem with my computer, wifi catcher, our something els?

It's not a problem it's a solution, If you have this connection for internet browsing and not for hacking something I think it's ok. But don't think free cheese is always here///

Once I found same thing and used from time to time. But to have the things stable I paid money to provider to hava a legal connection.

But in one thing I would add some questions:

Why someone put the wifi signal to your property without any notification / permission?

Are we sure that's a healthy thing?

The fact you use these signals for free is the form of payment from these persons. Isn't it? 

I'll repeat it once more. Using someones WiFi signal without permission is stealing, and Illegal. Many individual sites with wireless internet do not use secure systems for a variety of reasons. These signals have a short range, but might extend to someone else's house. This doesn't mean you can use it; it's not yours. Some wireless providers are begining to offer prices based on amount of GBs used in a month. If you use their network and steal lots of MB, they may get a larger bill. No amount of rationalization can justify stealing.

In addition, advocating anything illegal is a violation of Forum rules, and you could be banned from the site.

Dimension 9100, Dual-Boot Win XP SP2/ Vista Home Premium SP1, 3.0 GHz P4, 3 GB DDR2 533 MHz RAM, 160 GB SATA II Samsung (XP), 300 GB SATA II Seagate (Vista), 250 GB SimpleTech USB (WD Drive), Nvidia Go 6800 (425/825 MHz - XP, 400/800 MHz - Vista, Vista Driver - 169.25), Dell 1901 UltraSharp FP

Inspiron E1705, Win Vista Premium, T7200 Core 2 Duo (4MB, 2.0 GHz 667MHz), 2 GB DDR2 677 MHz RAM, 120 GB Samsung HD, Nvidia Go 7900 GS - 156.69 Driver, 17” Sharp UltraSharp TrueLife Wide-Screen WUXGA

didnt know that i am a new to this wifi stuff i was just asking if it was a problem with my computer or something else....but the thing is why do the laptops come with a wifi catcher in the first place?........ any ways whats a good internet provider hope thats not against forum rules asking that?..

They have a WiFi catcher so that you can find a site, such as Starbucks or a hotel, that has WiFi that you can use if you shop or stay there and agree to their conditions, such as paying for the service. Also for finding free services as libraries or city sponsored WiFi (rare so far). You can not use just any service you run across without the permission of the owner.

You are getting weak signals because you are picking neighboring private systems that you must not use. You need to subscribe to an internet service to use the internet at your home.

Dimension 9100, Dual-Boot Win XP SP2/ Vista Home Premium SP1, 3.0 GHz P4, 3 GB DDR2 533 MHz RAM, 160 GB SATA II Samsung (XP), 300 GB SATA II Seagate (Vista), 250 GB SimpleTech USB (WD Drive), Nvidia Go 6800 (425/825 MHz - XP, 400/800 MHz - Vista, Vista Driver - 169.25), Dell 1901 UltraSharp FP

Inspiron E1705, Win Vista Premium, T7200 Core 2 Duo (4MB, 2.0 GHz 667MHz), 2 GB DDR2 677 MHz RAM, 120 GB Samsung HD, Nvidia Go 7900 GS - 156.69 Driver, 17” Sharp UltraSharp TrueLife Wide-Screen WUXGA