New Laptop

[Brooklyn Tow]

Just picked up a Dell Inspiron....Never had a laptop before...

Question: why can't I get a wireless connection when it tells me there is one available?

It asks for a code or a key #.....do I need some kind of WiFi card or something?

From what I understand it's built in.....I think?

Here are the specs; Please one of the Guru's help out a Desk Top guy.

Processors
Select one of the Intel processors below to learn more

Intel® PentiumTM Dual Core



Learn More Intel® Core™2 Duo



Learn More

Operating System
Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium 64-Bit
Genuine Windows® 7 Professional 64-Bit
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Basic 32-Bit

Memory
Up to 4GB2 Dual Channel 800MHz DDR2 SDRAM.

Chipset
Intel® Cantiga GM45 Chipset


Graphics
Intel® Integrated Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD


LCD Display
Glossy 15.6" Widescreen XGA (1366x768)

Audio and Speakers
Intel High Definition Audio 2.0

Hard Drives
Up to 320GB3 configured with a 5400 RPM8 SATA hard drive.


Optical Drives
DVD+/-RW with Dual Layer DVD+R write capability
Blu-Ray/CD/DVD Combo Drive

Power
4-cell 2.0AHr Battery
6-cell 2.2AHr Battery
9-cell 2.2AHr Battery

Camera
Built-in 1.3MP webcam

Wireless
Wi-Fi Options:
Dell Wireless 1397 802.11g Mini-Card
Dell Wireless 1515 Wireless-N Mini-Card
Intel® Next-Gen Wireless-N Mini-card


Bluetooth Options:
Dell Wireless 365 Bluetooth® Internal (2.0) mini-card

Ports, Slots, Chassis
Externally Accessible
(3) USB 2.0 compliant 4-pin ports
15-pin VGA video connector
Integrated network connector 10/100 LAN (RJ45)
AC adapter connector
Audio jacks (1-line out, 1 Mic-in)
34 mm ExpressCard slot 7-in-1 Media Card Reader
Secure Digital (SD) Memory Card
Hi-Capacity Secure Digital (SDHC)
Hi-Density Secure Digital (SDHD)
Multi Media Card (MMC)
Memory Stick (MS)
Memory Stick PRO (MS PRO)
xD Picture Card (xD) Internal Card Slots
1 Half Mini-Card


Dimensions & Weight
Width: 14.7" (373.5mm)
Height: 1.02" (25.9mm) front / 1.48" (37.8mm) back
Depth: 9.6" (244mm)
Weight: Starting weight of 5.8 lbs. (2.64 kg)9 (15.6" WXGA glossy display, 6 cell battery, DVD +/- RW, integrated graphics). Weights will vary depending on configurations and manufacturing variability.

 

[jrkrace]

The laptop has a card built in if it's telling you it sees WiFi. When it asks for a code, that means the wifi connection is a secure one and you'll need a password. If it's your own house, then you need to grab the password off the router. If you don't have a router at home, andit's recognizing a signal, chances are you locked into your neighbors router.

Good luck with it. Dell has been making some pretty good stuff lately.

 

[Brooklyn Tow]

So I can't bogart a secure signal........Doesn't everyone else do that?

No magic/guru/hacker/tech trick?

Also, which way should I go for my own WiFi connection......Cell phone won't work?

 

[Pepperidge]

certain cell phones (with built in internet and an unlimited internet plan) you may be able to tether with via a usb cable...but beware if caught and you are not paying the extra for tethering...you will be charged exorbitant fees... and when you pay to tether, unlimited internet becomes limited
IMO: they figure with just using the phone for internet you can't use too much data...but when tethering to a laptop your data usage goes way up...

 

[SfcJones]

if you were to click on the wireless icon on the bottom bar where everything else is located it should show you a list of wireless connections. It you see something that is unsecure it would have a symbol of a unlocked lock.....click on that. Just beware that if you hop onto someones elses ISP they could actually see you and eventually determine who oyu are and well the rest owukld be up to them and you. I would just set up a secure wireless router and follow the instructions on how to create a wireless network and be done with it. That way I can have control over everything.

 

[Franko914]

...<SNIP>...I would just set up a secure wireless router and follow the instructions on how to create a wireless network and be done with it. That way I can have control over everything.

When setting up a wireless router: (will vary according to different makes/models out there)
1. Select the strongest security setting (e.g., WPA-PSK [TKIP] + WPA2-PSK [AES])
2. Select a passphrase/network password that isn't simple to guess
3. DO NOT check/enable "Default DMZ Derver"
4. DO NOT check/enable "Respond to PING on Internet Port"
5. DO NOT check/enable "Turn Remote Management ON"
6. Really really really secure the network by enabling/setting up an Access List based on your laptop's MAC (Media Access Control) address -- if you have other wireless devices (printer, friend's visiting with their laptop, etc.), their MAC addresses must also be included in the Access List.

Regards,
Franko

 

[SfcJones]

When setting up a wireless router: (will vary according to different makes/models out there)
1. Select the strongest security setting (e.g., WPA-PSK [TKIP] + WPA2-PSK [AES])
2. Select a passphrase/network password that isn't simple to guess
3. DO NOT check/enable "Default DMZ Derver"
4. DO NOT check/enable "Respond to PING on Internet Port"
5. DO NOT check/enable "Turn Remote Management ON"
6. Really really really secure the network by enabling/setting up an Access List based on your laptop's MAC (Media Access Control) address -- if you have other wireless devices (printer, friend's visiting with their laptop, etc.), their MAC addresses must also be included in the Access List.

Regards,
Franko

That is the best way of protecting your network. You never want to leave a door open for intruders....

 

[Brooklyn Tow]

OK...Got the idea, but what about when outdoors......what type of mobile deal should I go with?

They have those cards....and they have those USB little antenna deals....What else is there?....and/or which is best/hassle free/low cost/optimum coverage/speed?

Also if the mobile deal is good, can't I just use that all the time, instead of switching back and forth, when in and out of the house office?

Thanks,

 

[SfcJones]

those little cards are expensive and unless it is a 3G or 4G network you would be disappointed in the speed. Not to mention the limit of bytes you can use per month. If you go outside just use a access point that will provide a good signal outside.

 

[ghostrider500]

If you plan on using the laptop as your portable office in your tow rig a USB wireless card would work okay, but with a little research and keeping your eyes open for places offering free WI-FI you can stay connected by hopping from router to router.

 

[Brooklyn Tow]

The USB port device, as opposed to the to the slot (What do you call that drive/connection?) for the little wireless card?

what's the best outdoor wireless connection?

 

[ghostrider500]

The USB port device, as opposed to the to the slot (What do you call that drive/connection?) for the little wireless card?

what's the best outdoor wireless connection?

The USB and card devices are the same thing; the USB device is just a newer model. (the technical name is escaping me). As for outdoor wireless connection, it depends on your carrier and their coverage. Remember, there are two ways to connect: your computer to a wireless router or your computer with the connection device(USB/card) to a cell tower. I'm not sure if you might be getting these confused/mixed up. If going through someone else's wireless connection(router hooked to a DSL/phone line) performance is dictated by how close you are to the router for signal strength and speed of their connection to their internet provider. If using a card/USB device, performance is dictated by your provider's speed capability over wireless towers(and coverage area)

 

[SfcJones]

you mean the pcmcia adapters? I prefer them over USB wireless adapters

 

[Brooklyn Tow]

The USB and card devices are the same thing; the USB device is just a newer model. (the technical name is escaping me). As for outdoor wireless connection, it depends on your carrier and their coverage.

you mean the pcmcia adapters? I prefer them over USB wireless adapters

Oh yeah , the"MakkaLakka" adapter ):h......Can't someone do the homework for me on this one?

I live in the Biggest metropolitan city in the United States, Shouldn't someone be able to say, "Get the "Makka Lakka" adapter and screw it in the "Finnagin pin."

 

[VW_Lupo_TD]

be advised we made it 22k miles through half of the darn country with only free WiFi ;-)

no need for the little mobile usb antenna thingy !

(even as i am writing you know - i am using "free" WiFi)

 

[Brooklyn Tow]

Well either I'm Retarded or the laptop is not connecting for a specific reason....

It shows me that there are connections available, It says the connection are "Unsecured" but when I try to connect it asks for a SSID# or PIN# or Key Tag#....So it wont connect!

WTF!

 

[Franko914]

Well either I'm Retarded or the laptop is not connecting for a specific reason....

It shows me that there are connections available, It says the connection are "Unsecured" but when I try to connect it asks for a SSID# or PIN# or Key Tag#....So it wont connect!

WTF!

Hello Louis,

I'll go with "...the laptop is not connecting for a specific reason..."

The WiFi connections may show as "unsecured wireless connections...available" (which, BTW, can be easily broadcast by someone with a wireless laptop nearby to trap unsuspecting victims) but if it asks for an SSID or PIN or PassPhrase or Key Tag etc. etc., it's not completely open or completely unsecured.

For example, you can go to Chicago's O'Hare which has an "unsecured" WiFi network but you still need an SSID to connect -- go to customer service and they'll give it to you.

Make sure you are running a firewall program on your laptop before you try connecting to an "open" WiFi.

Regards,
Your Neighbor

 

[ghostrider500]

Hello Louis,

I'll go with "...the laptop is not connecting for a specific reason..."

The WiFi connections may show as "unsecured wireless connections...available" (which, BTW, can be easily broadcast by someone with a wireless laptop nearby to trap unsuspecting victims) but if it asks for an SSID or PIN or PassPhrase or Key Tag etc. etc., it's not completely open or completely unsecured.

For example, you can go to Chicago's O'Hare which has an "unsecured" WiFi network but you still need an SSID to connect -- go to customer service and they'll give it to you.

Make sure you are running a firewall program on your laptop before you try connecting to an "open" WiFi.



Regards,
Your Neighbor

Very well said. I happen to do alot of public surfing in a college town so the vendors don't bother with a SSID because they don't want to inconvenience or put off the students from coming in to their esablishment.
Flying Js, though, require you to come in a get the SSID to get on their free WiFi. If the place doesn't ever change the code you can store it in your WiFi connections and not have to go in again for the code.

 

[dmaxx3500]

look in your owners manual and make sure you have your internet turned on on your laptop[when i bought my gateway] ihad to turn mine on,,wi-fi spots on the road ,try motel/hotels,mc'ds,roadside rest areas,just turn on the laptop and look to see what ''wireless connection status'' is,,and yes there are programs to hack secure wi-fi sites,just google it and i didn't tell you to break the law