Wireless Question( help)

[twinj]

I went to radio shack and bought a Wireless adapter and Router. Now the dude in radio shack said i can convert my computer to wireless with a dial up set up from home. When i got home got it all out of the box and tried to set it up it. The instruction manual said i needed DSL or Cable so i took it back. Now my question is they have Laptops now that come with wireless Right? With no need of any necessary hardware. How do i convert my laptop 2004( Dell Inspiron 1100) to a wireless one. So when i go to school i can use it without the headache of cords and shit.

[threehundred]

This is two questions, right?

[Lizbiz101]

all you need for your computer is a wireless adapter. once you have that you'll be able to connect to connections around you. Try CompUSA down in Morrow, they have people that actually know what their talking about. That's where I got ALOT of stuff for my old old computer.

[twinj]

yea it is two questions.

[twinj]

Thank You Liz

[SleepR_ReapR]

I went to radio shack and bought a Wireless adapter and Router. Now the dude in radio shack said i can convert my computer to wireless with a dial up set up from home. When i got home got it all out of the box and tried to set it up it. The instruction manual said i needed DSL or Cable so i took it back. Now my question is they have Laptops now that come with wireless Right? With no need of any necessary hardware. How do i convert my laptop 2004( Dell Inspiron 1100) to a wireless one. So when i go to school i can use it without the headache of cords and shit.

In order for wireless to work, you need to own or have access to a wireless access point. For example, Starbucks have public access points where you pay to have internet access. Or, you add wireless to your home network if you have DSL or cable Internet service (for example the Linksys wireless router WRT54GS model).

You got two options for your laptop:

1. buy a wireless USB adaptor from Linksys; like the WUSB54GSC model (since it's USB, it can be used on more systems; gives you more flexibility)
2. or buy the PCMCIA / PC Card version from Linksys; like the WPC54GR model (can only be used on laptops)

stick with wireless 802.11 G standard. B is too old and slow; N isn't a standard yet; G is most widely used

[threehundred]

The above answers are correct, but I'm afraid your question may not be completely answered.

If you do not currently have Cable or DSL, then you are not prepared for wireless. The first step, for your home, would be to get cable or DSL. Then if you still want to go wireless, use SleepR's advice.

Adding the PCMCIA / PC Card or a USB adapter is useless for you currently, as you have nothing to connect to (unless you go to StarBuck's, etc).

[twinj]

I really just want to use it at school they have public access points Right?

[Lizbiz101]

If your College has a "wireless access point" you should be able to connect. More than likely they do. it should, because wireless is installed in most laptops now. It's in high demand. If they don't then they should have Eathernet ports, and all you'd need for that is a Eathernet cord.