N.O. asks from Park Ridge, IL on August 23, 2007
STUPID Technology Question
Hi,
Boy do I feel stupid asking this one...
I have a desktop and a laptop computer I use at home. The laptop is wireless via my desktop. Here comes my stupidity...
When I'm not at home with my laptop, how do I get it to work as a wireless unit? I was at Starbuck's the other day trying to do some research and my computer would temporarily connect to sites and then disconnect. Am I doing something wrong???
Did I mention I feel STUPID??? I'm getting ready to re-enter the working world after a couple year "break" at home with the kids. I work from home anyway but will need to do research remotely at times so I need to figure this out...
Thanks!
More Answers
V.G. answers from Chicago on August 23, 2007
You wont be able to connect thru your desktop. You would have to look for a free or a pid connection. Or get the Data adaptor from your mobile service. This hooks up to USB port and uses the Mobile network to connect to Internet.
V.
M.L. answers from Rockford on August 23, 2007
No question is stupid
I am in the same boat so I will be waiting to see what everyone writes anyway I have found two things one is a booster
(walmart super has these about 50.00 dollars) to get a better signal when you are at a place like starbucks and there is another card that actually gets the internet from a satelite Cost about 50 dollars and then 60 dollars a month kind of expensive but the booster is more what you are looking for. Then when you are at starbuck or wherever, you have to go to "connect to" or "set up connection" and connect to a wireless connection your computer will find it and ask if you want to connect to it you puch except and away you go. Hopefully this makes sense I am still working on the whole thing myself
S.R. answers from Chicago on August 23, 2007
Simply put:
Starbucks is a "T-Mobile Hot Spot" meaning it is a pay for wireless. Panera Bread is a FREE WiFi, meaning free. You can go anywhere there is FREE WiFi and you should get a connection.
You may need a "signal booster" for your laptop depending on how old it is.
C.S. answers from Chicago on August 23, 2007
The problem with a place like starbucks is that it's a PAY place. You need to try somewhere like Panera or McD's where the wireless is FREE. There's should be an icon of a computer on the blue line at the bottom of the screen? You can click on that to see what wireless networks you have available and what you can connect to. Sometimes you have to TELL it to connect, and when you open the browser you have to accept it's useage terms.
Hope that helps?!
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