Why does wireless internet not work on my Dell Inspiron laptop?

Question

I own a Dell Inspiron 9300 laptop, and supposedly I should be able to do wireless internet on it. However, for some reason I can never get a connection. The WiFi light in glowing but still can't get it to work. Do I have to buy a wireless router card/device to plug into the side of my laptop. Or am I right in believing that my laptop should already have all the necessary hardware to do wireless internet. Also, do I need to subscribe to any network to get a connection. I currently subscribe to a Tiscasi dial-up service. I also don't really understand the profiles either. On this screen is normally shows around three profiles/network names including MVB and Belkin54g. Who are these profiles and do I need to subscribe to them.

Any advise would be appreciated.

Answer 1

Yes. your computer can already send and recieve wifi, but you have to have a wireless router and an ISP. You can't just steal your naighbors wihout permission. You can also choose to buy a WWAN card and hook up via verizon, sprint or tmobile, but you must pay per month

Answer 2

Yes, your laptop is wireless enabled. You have to own a wireless router yourself if you want it to work (or you could try and connect using the other available networks but this may be illegal as you are stealing your neighbours bandwidth!). You do not need to "subscribe" to a network, when you click "refresh network list" and it displays the list of wireless networks available (e.g. Belkin54g etc.) you have the option to connect to those networks. To connect to one, either double click on the name or click the name once, and click on the connect button and it will attempt to connect you. The network may be password protected but if its your own network then you will find the default network key on your router. If it connects successfully it will usually notify you, and next to the name in the list it will say "connected". You have the option to disconnect from the network by either double clicking it or clicking the "disconnect button". If you are not sure whether your router is wireless enabled, then either look up the model on the Internet, or often wireless routers have an aerial, so look out for that.

Answer 3

Internet from your provider to you: thru a modem. Internet to multiple computers with one isp connection: thru a router. Sometimes you can get a modem/router: one piece of equipment. It's more common to have a modem and a router. The modem hooks up to the internet connection from your isp, and serves the connection to you. If you hook the router up to the modem, then this single internet connection can be used by multiple computers. A wireless router has some ports for ethernet connections, and can also create a wireless network. This is what you want. You name your network and secure it with a key or passphrase. Your 1525 has a wireless adapter (switch on the right side) as well as an ethernet adapter, so you can access either wired or wirelessly. DSL is a broadband connection thru your phone line. If you are getting dsl, you may be able to get a modem/router combination device.