Laptops and wireless - how does it work

Question

Hello Folks,   My first laptop will arrive in two days. I was wondering how the wireless feature works. When I power up the Inspiron 1520 will it search out a network in the area automatically and ask me if I want to connect? I know with my home network I have encryption and have a WEP key I have to enter but will it see my network and ask me. How do I know that it has found a network? I see these people in the airports and hotels just power up their laptop and start their browsers with the public access networks. I am just more curious than anything since I have never owned a wireless laptop. I have a wireless network setup on my second desktop upstairs using a USB adapter but that took a lot of work, I had to set up the network in control panel, load the USB adapter software etc. I am sure with a laptop I shouldn't have to go into network settings and do anything correct? Anyway, if there is anyone out there who can answer me or send me a URL to some info specifically for/how laptop wireless works, I would appreciate it. I couldn't really find anything on the dell site that would help me understand better.   Have a great day.

wickedjigs · Answer

First things first, make sure wireless is turned on. Usually there is an LED for wifi lit up to denote its on. if not check the manual or have a look at the function keys.   Mine is Fn+F2...to turn it on/off.   Once it is on that you get a wifi icon on the right hand bottom corner. Right click on it and click on view availiable networks. It will scan for networks and then you can select your network.

jmwills · Answer

ALL Dell laptops use the key combo of FN+F2.

Now for the serious part. Upgrade from WEP to WPA. Your network is totally insecure by using WEP.

http://willsit.com/resources.aspx

XP:

Setup:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/setup/default.mspx
http://www.pcworld.com/video/id,368-page,1-bid,0/video.html
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/howto/
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/default.mspx

Connection Issues:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/maintain/troubleshoot.mspx

File Sharing:
http://www.theeldergeek.com/quick_guide_to_simple_file_sharing.htm

Security:
http://www.ezlan.net/Wireless_Security.html

Vista Networking:

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windowsvista/aa905087.aspx

TCP/IP stack repair options for use with Windows XP with SP2.
For these commands, Start, Run, CMD to open a command prompt.
Reset WINSOCK entries to installation defaults: netsh winsock reset catalog
Reset TCP/IP stack to installation defaults. netsh int ip reset reset.log
Reboot the machine.

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

Laptops and wireless - how does it work

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