Newbie help

jobo2mi

jobo2mi

New Member
Please don't make fun of me....I am asking for some help here :confused: ...I am not techno savvy AT ALL ... I just USE the computer, I don't understand how it works...

I am such a newbie.... I have been working on a desktop for years, but recently rented a laptop to try it out on an overseas trip I am taking so (hopefully) I won't be without internet, and to see how I like being 'untied' from my desk.

It does not work like my desktop, that's for sure. :eek:

I don't know how to hook it up to the internet. I have a phone/internet cable, but I don't know if all I have to do is plug it in if the hotel is modem ready, or something else? I am not usually such an idjit, but this laptop is not mine and I certainly don't want to mess it up and have to pay RaC price for it!!

If I get in a place that is WiFi hooked up, all I have to do is turn it on?? Or do I need to set up an account somehow ... I know there are internet cafes all over the world, but I don't know how they work...

When I get my own laptop, I will WiFi my house, but right now I am on cable internet, no phone line, so not even sure how to switch the internet to the laptop to see how it works.

I know this is probably basic stuff to you guys, but, hey, you had to learn it at one time too, so I figured I'd come to the people who might be able to help.

So ..... HELP!!!! :P :D :D
 
Put the internet plug in the modem Cable/Dailup w/e they got into the computer. it should connect automactic . i dont know WIFI that much but you should be able to hook up the cable/dsl/dial-up into the computer. for WIFI or wireless internet you need a wireless card or internal wireless connection build in the computer.
 
Thank You

Thank you for the info ... like I said, I feel like such an idiot when I don't know how to do anything with a laptop, but I just don't want to mess up this computer by doing something wrong. Once I get to London, I'll be trying to plug it in and praying I have internet ... I think there IS a WiFi card in the computer, but because I don't have it, it says it is not connected... well duh!! ;)
 
jobo2mi said:
I don't know how to hook it up to the internet. I have a phone/internet cable, but I don't know if all I have to do is plug it in if the hotel is modem ready, or something else? I am not usually such an idjit, but this laptop is not mine and I certainly don't want to mess it up and have to pay RaC price for it!!

If I get in a place that is WiFi hooked up, all I have to do is turn it on?? Or do I need to set up an account somehow ... I know there are internet cafes all over the world, but I don't know how they work...

When I get my own laptop, I will WiFi my house, but right now I am on cable internet, no phone line, so not even sure how to switch the internet to the laptop to see how it works.

I know this is probably basic stuff to you guys, but, hey, you had to learn it at one time too, so I figured I'd come to the people who might be able to help.

So ..... HELP!!!! :P :D :D
Click to expand...
First off, welcome to ComputerForum!

To get it online in most places today, you just need to make sure that it is wifi capable; this means that it should have a wireless card or already have it built in. If you are not sure about this, if you can give us the model and brand of the laptop, we can look it up for you. Another option, which most laptops should have today is a network card; meaning instead of using wifi, you will have to use a network card. In worse case scenario, it will only have a network card and no wifi, which means you probably wont be able to use it at hotspots, etc..

Now, for places that is wifi ready like hotspots, you usually just have to make sure that your wifi card is set to automatic detect in it's TCP/IP settings. I'm sure it would so you probably don't need to change anything there. Then, either through the software included or through the windows software, you just need to connect to the hotspot. An example would be that if you are at starbucks; you would turn it on, run the program if needed, then connect to the connection called starbucks; etc. (This is all, of course, assuming it has wifi already)

To network your house. Again, just make sure that when you get your laptop, it is wifi capable already. It just makes life much easier. Then since you already have cable internet, you don't need to change anything. You will just have to buy a wireless router and hook it up to your modem through an ethernet cable, which is usually provided. An example is the Linksys wrt54g; just in case you want to look into them or anything of that sort. From there on, the provided software and/or manuals included with the wireless router should be able to help you set up your whole house.

If you need more clarification or anything, just let us know.
 
That helps computerhakk ... I know it is WiFi capable cuz it comes up with a "no wireless detected" most of the time ... someone in the neighborhood has WiFi, tho, because it did say it was detected ONCE ... don't know who or where cuz I live in a VERY small cottage complex, but there must be a WiFi card to detect it ...

When I am ready for my own laptop and WiFi, I think I'll have most of it figured out ... lol I HOPE! Would be nice to not be attached to my desk all the time ... *sigh* Next year.....
 
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Power in Europe

Make sure you have a power adapter / converter that works with European voltages. Otherwise, when your battery gets low, you will be wishing for good old American 110 volt power.

Your laptop may have a built-in switch to change the voltage (mine does not).

I recommend you check your tech manual and ask the hotels over there as well. They may be able to accommodate you.
 
thanks again

I bought an electrical converter to take with me....not sure whether the hotel has one, so got one to be safe ... as long as the modem/phone line isn't a different voltage I should be ok ...
 
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