I guess I don't know where to start.  When I first turned on the computer, and tinkered with my network settings, there where a few wireless connections already available ("linksys", and "eatme").  I did not set them up, and I have no idea what they are. 

 

These are wireless networks that are near enough to you to pick them up.  They are probably non-secure routers being run by neighbors.  While it is not illegal to use them, your neigbors may get might if they find you using their internet connection.

 

On my old notebook, I just connected to my cable modem via the ethernet connection and presto, connected to the internet.  But now, when I connect the inspiron, I have no connection.  I've tried to turn off the modem, then restart it connnected to the inspiron, but no such luck.  Do I need to set up a network to use the ethernet connection? 

 

If your have not changed the default settings of your TCP/IP properties, it should connect immediately to the modem providing you have turned off the modem and computer and waited long enough for the modem to resynchronize with your ISP and to re-establish a connection with your computer.  Wait five minutes after turning off the modem before you turn it on.  Then wait another five minutes before you turn on the computer.  Do this whenever you change the device connected to the modem.  To see if your TCP/IP properties are set correctly, right click on the Local Area Connection in Network Properties, select Properties from the drop down menu, select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) from the list, click on Properties, then make sure that it is set to obtain an IP address automically.

 

Can I maybe use my old wireless router (d-link, used a long time ago) to set up a wireless connection?  Do I need a wireless router to set up a wireless connection?

 

If your old d-link router is not a wireless router, then you cannot use it to make a wireless connection.  You will need a wireless router.

 

Steve

Thank you very much for all the info.  I only gave it about a minute when restarting my modem so that could be the problem.

 

In reference to the d-link, it is a wireless router, but when I used it with my old notebook, I also used a d-link pci card for the notebook.  Eventually the pci card quit working so I just went with the ethernet connection.  Can I use the d-link wireless router with my inspiron notebook's built in wireless card without additional hardware?

 

Thanks again...

Andy

  Yes, it should work.  It may not be able to take advantage of the higher speed of your newer wireless network card, but if all you are doing is sharing an internet connection, then that should not matter, as the slower 802.11b speed is still faster than almost any broadband internet connection.

 

Steve

Steve, I've been reading a bit over at the netstumbler forums and the general opinion there is that it's illegal to get an IP address from any network without permission (even an unsecured one) and that using someone else's network (even unsecured) would probably be considered utility theft.

 

there aren't a lot of legal cases either way.  my personal opinion is that if you are screaming out an SSID and not securing anything then it's not theft, but it doesn't look like that's always the case.

Thanks very much for all the help!!!!

 

Whether it's legal or not, it doesn't seem like a good practice.  I don't intend to use the networks, I just didn't know what they were (I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed).

 

Thanks again,

Andy