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This is my first laptop, first pc and I don't know one lick of anything on how to really use it other than getting online and reading e-mail. Laptop is wireless capable, it's an acer aspire 3102WLMi Mobile AMD Sempron processor 3200+ 1.6 GXz, 512kb, ATi radeon expresswhatever the fudge that means and so on and so on.
I bought it on the advice of family who are allegedly pc savvy but they are of no hep. What I need to know is how to hook up to the net wirelessly, what is the right wireless router to get, freak if I know the diff between Netgear/D-Link or Linksys.
Until I figure out what to get, how to use I am stuck with peoplepc dial-up, how to access hot-spots(what do I really need for this?)

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HELP!HELP!HELP!HELP

Cane

Your ability to connect to the internet is based mainly off your network interface card, if your computer doesn't have the ability to connect wirelessly, you'll probably need one. The type of router doesn't really matter, just make sure it's wireless, if you want a good router remember 802.11b if you want a great router 802.11g if you want a impossibly good router 802.11n, but with great power, comes great hackers wanting to steal your access... hot spots are when your in a starbucks or something, and you can tell your router to access the internet from their server. The only thing you need, is a wireless card, or if your computer already has one, you need to learn how to use it, of course I can't really tell from what info you gave me what kind of internet card you have, so first, go to start>mycomputer>control panel>network connections> and tell me what you see

Here let me write you up a quick Glossary of Networking Equipement

Wifi: A term often used but basically means Wireless Internet

Hot-Spot: A place where you can get acess to pubic wireless internet (sometimes paid sometimes free). Most comon places are Starbucks, Airports and the such. If you search the net a little you can find sites that list wife hotspots in your area.

Wireless Network Interface Card (NIC): This is the "Antenna" in your computer that captures the wireless signal.

Router: A hardware device used to network multiple computers. A Wireless Router also supports an Access Point. It broadcasts and receives the information from your Wireless Card and connect you to the Internet. To connect the internet to the router you need Broadband internet (This is High Speed Internet) wich is actually getting pretty cheap these days.

When we talk about 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n and others these are the types of routers. The most common and best one out right now is the 802.11g. Gives good speed and a decent price. The 802.11n is new technology, pretty expensive but gives you a lot better range but in a normal sized house (not a mansion like John Travolta's...) you are fine with the 802.11g.

Now you can find a decent router from wal-mart... I would suggest a Wireless G(802.11g) router and you are going to need to get high speed broadband (either DSL or Cable). After you get this equipment you will run an Ethernet cable from your internet connection to the wireless router. Then run another ethernet wire from the router to your laptop. The linksys comes with a nice cd that you pop into your computer and a screen pops up and guides you thru the set-up process. Just follow the instructions and enable the security (WEP). During the setup process you will need to right down your network key for when you go to log onto your netowork. This key is basically a big password... If you have trouble setting up the wifi in your house you can contact linksys, they have a nice online chat system to talk with their technical departement. I have already dealed with them and they give good information and are good with helping beginners.

If you have any more questions juste post them here. We are always happy to help

Klink

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wow, thanks for responding. It's my understanding that I don't need a wireless card with this system. One of the stickers on it says 802.11b/g wireless, have no idea what that means.

when I go into the network connections this is what it says;

Dial-up

peoplepc online
connected,firewalled
HDAUDIO Soft Data Fax Mode and under this it says this



Lan or High Speed Internet

Wireless Network Connection
Limited or no connectivity, Firewalled
Atheros AR5005G Wireless Network ( I have no freaking idea what this means)

I do know that peoplepc thingy refers to my dial-up connection but that's it. And please don't tell me to refer to the manual, it's all GREEK to me. Be gentle, talk s l o w l y and in a layman terms better yet even simpler terms.

Thanks

Cane

Ok well just FYI the Atheros AR5005G is the make and model of your wireless card that is built into your computer. The Wireless 802.11b/g on the sticker means that your wireless card can connect to either wireless 802.11b or 802.11g networks.

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um, ok, alrighty then, um but would you mind telling me just how I go about connecting to this wireless 802.11b or 802.11g networks. and once again, THANKS!!!!!!!!!!


Cane

Atheros, nice, anyhow

Wireless Network Connection
Limited or no connectivity, Firewalled
Atheros AR5005G Wireless Network

This connection is the one you want to double click, and you click on something that says "view wireless connections" it should give you a list of all the networks you can connect to... of course technically i shouldn't be suggesting this, but anyhow, if there is no one near you that has wireless, then you need to get a router, everytime your at a "hotspot" just click on the view wireless connections button and it should offer it as a choice. Oh, I suggest you get a nice firewall, something like zone alarm is always nice.

You're a sweetie, Gyro. I've tried that but the wireless connections that pop up on the screen are all security enable and I assume that means if you don't know how to get in there, you AIN'T gonna
The funny thing is is that when my room mate's bf is over he can get into those with no problems. Could that be because there's a hotspot in my roomie's room? She's about as "special" as I am when it comes to pc savvy
Hope to hear from you again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!





Cane

Well when they are security enable it basically means that they have set up a network key wich is basically a long password. So if you want to connect to those networks you need the "password"

Is your room mate's bf pretty pc savvy? Because to hack a "Security Enabled" network isn't all that hard if you have the algowrithems but I can't talk about that here because we do not support hacking and other illegal activities.

But there is nothing wrong with testing your own security to make sure it's secure from hackers ._.

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I don't know if he is pc savvy or not and I have asked my roomie how he does it but she doesn't know either but she and her bf are pretty straight so I doubt very much if he is hacking anything. I'm not trying to "hack" I just want to figure out how to work out this way too technical laptop ( at least for me, ) and use this fudging wireless built in card. Which reminds me, if I have a wireless card built in, do I still need a wireless router? I mean if I do what's purpose of having it then?



Cane

Well the wireless router is what connects the wireless card to your internet. It's like your computer is a cell phone and the router is the tower that connects you to the rest of the world.

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Well by GOD, I think we are finally getting somewhere because I understood that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ok, next thing, can you suggest a decent wireless router that doesn't cost an arm and a leg? And if I promise to eat my Lucky Charms, will you magically appear and set it up for me?



Cane

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Quick question, I have 7.5 MSN Messenger and some really old version that came with the software and it's driving me nuts (the older one) how can I delete this? I know that I can go into the add/remove thingamajig but I was hesitant as I didn't know if this rwould remove the MSN Mess. Is windows messenger completely diff from the msn messengers 7.5 that I downloaded?



Cane

FFS!!!!!!!!!!!!! Was just on ebay checking out the wireless routers, for crying outloud, like I know the diff between netg, d-link, linksys, 2wire all I know is to get something that is 80211b/g ffs HELP ME!!!!!!!!!!!



Cane lol

Ok First off for the messenger part. If you go into the Add/Remove Program thingamigig like you said just remove the Windows Messenger and MSN Messenger will not be uninstalled.

For the router part I will remind you that you will need broadband (high speed internet) so the peoplepc dial-up will not cut it.

If you do go with a broadband connection check with your isp first. Often they will be able to provide you with either a wireless router or a wireless router/modem combo.

If they can't supply you with a router there are a couple from newegg.com wich is a trusted site by many people here. I can't get on to it for some reason right now but I will reply later when it works for me.

Hope this isn't too much in one shot

Definition
Modem: A hardware box that you connect either the cable (tv cable...) or your phone line into and an Ethernet cable comes out. This ethernet cable connects to either your computer or your router. An ethenet cable has basically a bigger telephone jack on each side. When you connected your phone line to your laptop I am pretty sure that the ethernet port was right beside it or is probably somewhere else on the laptop.

The wireless is not going to magically "work" just because it is activated. You have to pay a broadband provider for highspeed internet service (DSL or CABLE). They will install it to the house (connecting to a dsl or cable router), you will need to install from that point a wireless router (theres not much difference betewwn the common brands avaliable at walmart or best buy, choose one with NAT, DHCP and 802.11 g at the very least). follow the wireless routers directions for installation and connectivity to the router.
The people pc stuff and 56k modem will never allow you wireless networking.

Just a quick add-in, you might want to call a local computer store or your broadband company (if you decide to get it) and they often offer an instalation server and they will configure and set-up everyting for you.

[b][size=4]OMIFREAKINGAWD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Somebody please help me. Not being pc literate I downloaded and installed the new internet explorer 7 thinking it was a good thing. STUPID ME!!!!!!!!! FFS!!!!!

Now I'm having all sorts of problems with it. All I want to do now is go back to the old internet explorer I was using until I become competent enough to know what the hell I am doing.

I have no idea what they mean by add-ons and everytime I use the new "7" they ask me if I want to add-on. I didn't have this with the old explorer and I want it back.

I have windows xp with service pack 2, freak if I know what THAT even means. Can some please, please tell me how to get the old explorer back(I don't even know which one I was using) but it sure as freak wasn't the new "7".

Please help me before I go completely bald from pulling out all my hair I am so freaking pissed off!!!!!!


Cane

Uninstalling Internet Explorer 7 RC1

To uninstall Internet Explorer 7 RC1 and restore Internet Explorer 6 when using Windows XP or Windows Server 2003

1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
2. Click Add or Remove Programs.
3. Scroll down to Windows Internet Explorer 7, click it, and then click Change/Remove.

If you cannot find Windows Internet Explorer 7 in Add or Remove Programs, click Start, click Run, type
%windir%\ie7\spuninst\spuninst.exe, and then press ENTER.

Note: %windir% is the location of your Windows directory, which can usually be found at C:\Windows. To do this, you need to have "view hidden folders" enabled.

[b][size=4] omg, omg , omg ,omg I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you

but before that I do that. Is that all I have to do? I mean when I go to remove it, will "6" automatically be restored?

Cane

Yep