Wireless Network

Question

I am new at the Wireless Network arena. I have just purchased a new Dell laptop (have not received it yet) for my son that is going to a local college. They have what they call a 'hot spot' on the campus. Once we get the computer and set it up is this all that is needed to connect to the internet?

Scotts Valley · Answer

Thank you very much.

andy2434 · Answer

Yes, your new Dell laptop will be able connect to the Internet under the following conditions:

1. Has an internal wireless card pre-installed in it.
2. Has an external card slot, in which you install a wireless card.

Many "Hot Spots" require a fee. It may be an hourly, daily, or a monthly charge. Hmmmmm . . . Some are even free. In any event, I trust your new Dell unit will prove to be very productive.

NemesisDB · Answer

if you need a wireless card for a notebook, i think office depot has a dlink 802.11b pcmcia card on sale for $10 or so...

college_angel19 · Answer

I am new to the wireless network community and I am wanting to know if I can get wireless internet set up for my laptop that I can use at home or school or wherever else that I need it or is it only available at hotspots?  I have just bought this laptop from dell and need to know how this wireless card works.

NemesisDB · Answer

you can 'use' the wireless card anywhere, but you will need something broadcasting for it to work... for instance, if you have a dsl modem at home, you can hook up a wireless router to it and then get wireless internet in your home if a coffee shop has a hotspot set up, you can use your wireless card to get access there the same goes for your college if it is broadcasting a wireless signal   the card by itself will not let you get internet ...  it needs a source

NemesisDB · Answer

It looks like a fairly standard 802.11g router ...  I'm sure it will work fine. What are you planning on using it for?

Scotts Valley · Answer

I have my new dell 1150 and am going to purchase a wireless router for the house. I am looking at the DLink DI-524. Is this a good router or not?

Scotts Valley · Answer

I want to use it in my home so I can go on to the web from any room. I have a Dell laptop 5150. Am I missing something?

NemesisDB · Answer

As long as the computers have a wireless card (or are close enough to be connected by a cable), the router will be all you need.

I might suggest, that if you are only interested in sharing internet (and not in filesharing), that you buy a much cheaper 802.11b router as it is more than adequete for websurfing

Scotts Valley · Answer

Thanks. My laptop has an internal card. We have a desktop and new the laptop. All we want to do is to be able to get on the internet from the laptop anywhere in the house. Can you suggest a brand?

Thanks.

NemesisDB · Answer

dlink, linksys, netgear, SMC, or others will probably all work fine ...  most feature sets are faily even these days

Midnight Star · Answer

I also have a 5150 (wireless) and a 4550 (wired), both are connected to a Linksys WRT54g wireless broadband router, and it works just fine. The other day, I took the laptop outside with me so my uncle who lives quite far away, could watch my family playing in the pool over our netcam, while we talking too each other. It really makes wireless worth while.

btw: Just make sure the firmware for the router is upto date. The Linksys that I have is pretty straight forward to update. They do post improvements in the firmware from time to time.

Mike.

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

Wireless Network

Was this post helpful?