I need help... why won't my internet work when I am away from my house?

Question

OK, so I just got my laptop and I have it all set up with internet. But when I was at work yesterday, I couldn't use the internet. It wasn't working. I don't know if it was b/c there was no signal. Do I need to buy something fo rmy computer that lets me use my laptop and internet when I am away from my house. I have a Dell Inspiron E1505. I have the Netgear wireless thing for my internet in the back of my laptop. What do I need to do or buy to get internet when I am away from my house where there is a signal. Or should i not need to buy anything?!!? I don't know... sorry if this is a dumb question... but I am kinda new with the whole laptop and internet thing,please help...thank you!

Answer 1

If you already are using wireless at home, then you have everything you need on your laptop.

You know the little computer icon by the clock that has 3 )))'s? That is the icon for your wireless connection setup. Ususally all you have to do is double-click on that and see a list of available networks in your area. The select the one you want to connect to and go.

Some networks are locked down - you will see a padlock. Unless you have the proper credentials to access those networks, then you won;t be able to get into them and access the Internet.

Also, it could be that you get an error message when you click on the network icon I mentioned before. It may displayy amessage somehting like "Windows can not mange this connection because another application is controlling it."

If that's the case, then close that box, right-click on the wirelss icon and select properties. Then hit the configure button and look for Allow Windos to configure this device under one of the three tabs up top.

The E1505 comes with an IntelPro wireless utility and most of the time Windows does a better job of managing the card.

Good luck!

Answer 2

OK, even though your computer is equipped to receive the internet wirelessly, you need to be in range of a wireless router, which transfers signals back and forth between the internet and your computer. You can think of a wireless router as sort of like a radio station that broadcasts the internet. The wireless router has a limited range, typically about 75-100 feet, depending upon how many obstructions there are between the router and your computer. I assume you have a wireless router at home that you use to connect to the internet.

You have to make sure that your work has a wireless router. If not, maybe they have a port that you connect your computer to using a network (ethernet) cable. If they do have a wireless router, then it's probably password protected (if they're smart) and you'll have to ask them for the encryption key (like a password). Ask someone at work who accesses the internet from work how they hook up.

Other places will have wireless hotspots, like cofffee shops and bookstores (look for signs that say "WiFi Available" or "WiFi Access"). Usually, you'll have to pay to access their wireless (you'll get a welcome screen when you connect to their wireless router, asking for payment), although many small, independent coffee houses, as well as hotels, will offer free WiFi to their customers.

If you want to make sure you can connect from the internet from just about anywhere, you can get a wireless PC card for your laptop from wireless (cell phone) companies like Verizon. The cards plug into your laptop and act like a wireless modem, calling into their cell phone network to access the internet. Transfer speeds aren't that great, though, so I wouldn't get it unless you really need to access the internet from wherever you are (like on business trips). Service runs anywhere from $50 to $100 a year.

Answer 3

Well even if you have wireless internet set up at your house, you will not get a signal more than so many feet away, which is why you have no signal while at work.