new user

I just got a new laptop. It has built in wireless internet. It doesn't
seem to be finding any networks though. What am i doing wrong? I am
told i may need to switch on the wireless capability but I have no idea
how to do this. Crap with computers. Any help appreciated

(E-Mail Removed) wrote in news:1132619273.170646.58830
@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com:

> I just got a new laptop. It has built in wireless internet.

> It doesn't
> seem to be finding any networks though.

What are you trying to do *hack* someone's wireless network?

What am i doing wrong? I am
> told i may need to switch on the wireless capability but I have no idea
> how to do this. Crap with computers. Any help appreciated

Just what wireless equipment do you have other than a laptop that has
wireless capabilities?

Duane

<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed) ups.com...
>I just got a new laptop. It has built in wireless internet. It doesn't
> seem to be finding any networks though. What am i doing wrong? I am
> told i may need to switch on the wireless capability but I have no idea
> how to do this. Crap with computers. Any help appreciated
>

Don't know about yours, but my HP Pavilion dv1000 laptop, which I purchased
about two months ago, has a switch that turns the wireless capability on and
off -- it's a pushbutton located top right corner of the keyboard, above the
function keys, has an icon on it that looks like a little antenna with
signals radiating from it.

You could also consult the users manual -- it's probably on one of the disks
that came with the computer.

Could it be there are no networks in your vicinity? After all, most
wireless networks don't broadcast coast-to-coast with 10,000 watts effective
radiated power -- more like a few hundred milliwatts, good for a couple of
hundred feet or so.

However, it's not a good idea to access someone else's network, even if they
leave it unsecured.

> I just got a new laptop. It has built in wireless internet. It doesn't
> seem to be finding any networks though. What am i doing wrong? I am

You need to be in range of a wireless access point, which means
typically on a couple of walls away from the device offering wireless
internet.

The TV ads are great here, they show people on beaches, on top of
unfinished buildings, in ancient monuments and then a tiny message at
the bottom of the screen "*must be in range of wireless access and may
have to subscribe to an internet provider".

Great marketing, crap reality. They're not like mobile phones where you
can reasonably expect to get a signal and connection pretty much
anywhere.

David.

my dell needs FN-F2 to enable wireless

"Joe S." <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>
> <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:(E-Mail Removed) ups.com...
>>I just got a new laptop. It has built in wireless internet. It doesn't
>> seem to be finding any networks though. What am i doing wrong? I am
>> told i may need to switch on the wireless capability but I have no idea
>> how to do this. Crap with computers. Any help appreciated
>>
>
> Don't know about yours, but my HP Pavilion dv1000 laptop, which I
> purchased about two months ago, has a switch that turns the wireless
> capability on and off -- it's a pushbutton located top right corner of the
> keyboard, above the function keys, has an icon on it that looks like a
> little antenna with signals radiating from it.
>
> You could also consult the users manual -- it's probably on one of the
> disks that came with the computer.
>
> Could it be there are no networks in your vicinity? After all, most
> wireless networks don't broadcast coast-to-coast with 10,000 watts
> effective radiated power -- more like a few hundred milliwatts, good for a
> couple of hundred feet or so.
>
> However, it's not a good idea to access someone else's network, even if
> they leave it unsecured.
>

(E-Mail Removed) wrote:

> I just got a new laptop. It has built in wireless internet. It doesn't
> seem to be finding any networks though. What am i doing wrong? I am
> told i may need to switch on the wireless capability but I have no idea
> how to do this. Crap with computers. Any help appreciated

You do understand, I hope, that you can't just access the Internet because
your computer has wireless capability?

In most homes, wireless access is provided by a wireless router plugged into
a Cable or DSL modem (or by a combined modem/wireless router). Then your
wireless-capable laptop accesses the signal provided by the router.

You will also have access to a wireless signal at Internet cafes and in many
businesses - where the access may be restricted by "hot point" software
which ensures that you're either paying for the service or otherwise
legitimately entitled to access.

If you were able to find a network from home, without a wireless router of
your own, you would most likely either find it blocking your access or
you'd be illegally stealing somebody else's service. Some people do
encourage the public to use their wireless access freely, but that's the
minority of available access points.
--
derek

On 21 Nov 2005 16:27:53 -0800, (E-Mail Removed) wrote:

>I just got a new laptop.

Gosh. I guess all laptops are identical. It must be a piece of junk
since you're too embarassed to disclose the name.

>It has built in wireless internet.

No it does not. It has a wireless client adapter. The "internet"
part does not come with the laptop. You should not be trying to hack
into someone elses internet access. However, most wireless hot spots
are free and can be used to access the internet for free.

>It doesn't
>seem to be finding any networks though. What am i doing wrong?

If I knew what you were doing, I could possibly suggest what you are
doing wrong. My crystal ball remote viewing option is currently in
the shop for repair.

>I am
>told i may need to switch on the wireless capability but I have no idea
>how to do this.

Toshiba: Small slide switch on left front of laptop or right rear.
HP: Push button wireless on/off above keyboard.
There are other locations. Usually, there's a light with something
resembling a wireless icon somewhere near the switch. Some laptops
don't have switches and do it in software.

>Crap with computers. Any help appreciated

If it were easy, it would be no fun. Try not to learn by destroying.
If all else fails, there's always the manual, but I never do that
until I'm desperate.


--
Jeff Liebermann (E-Mail Removed)
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558