Calling all Laptop Users...

[SRUAlmn]

I was just issued a lap top by my school district, and I'd like to be able to use it at home. They said to just plug it in to your phone jack and you'll be connected to the network, however, I don't have dial up internet, I have DSL. Can I plug it in to our cable? How does that work? I'm usually very good with computers, but this one has me a little confused

 

[Pugdog007]

Is it a new laptop? If so, it probably is already set up for wireless and should be able to communicate with your dsl. If it's an older one, you may need to purchase a Nic card.

 

[itsagloomyday]

If it is equipped with a wireless card (most new laptops are) you can buy a wireless router, hook it up in less than 10 minutes (if you watch the CD it comes with to set it up) and you can use both your desktop and laptop. I bought a laptop and router last week and love the freedom of being able to use the laptop in any room.

If you're not sure of wireless capability, you can always go to a place with wireless access and see if your laptop works. Good luck and enjoy!

 

[Aidensmom]

If you don't have a wireless router, you would need to install your dsl providers software on the laptop, and then plug in the modem to it instead of your regular computer.

 

[SRUAlmn]

Thanks. It is new, it's a Dell, and there are some cables and things in the case with it. I guess I need to look through them. I'm new to this whole wireless thing. What would a wireless router look like if one was looking for one?

Thanks!

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

Thanks. It is new, it's a Dell, and there are some cables and things in the case with it. I guess I need to look through them. I'm new to this whole wireless thing. What would a wireless router look like if one was looking for one?

Thanks!

It's about the size of a small brick and typically sits on your desk next to your PC.

 

[wvjules]

Mine has a bunch of lights and an antenna.

 

[WebmasterAlex]

This may not be as straightforward as it seems

If it was issued by a school district it may be locked down in some ways that limit what you are able to do with it. I would try it at a friends house that has wireless first.

 

[SRUAlmn]

Ok, here is what is in the case:

A floppy drive module
A battery module
2 cables with two ends shaped like they go into the back of a computer (they have the octopus type picture on them with a circle and then a line with 3 branches with a circle, triangle and square on them.)
An AC adapter
There is a port on the bottom in the back where we attach it to this desktop panel at school to use it
It says it has a Conexant RD02-D110 modem in it


Any ideas??

 

[KathyTX]

Even though you have DSL at home, you don't have to use that to connect to the school. You can still use the dial-up configuration they've set up to connect to their network.

The laptop has a modem built in, go ahead and connect it to your phone jack and try whatever dial up procedures they've given you.

 

[Taylor]

What would a wireless router look like if one was looking for one? Thanks!

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=5250774&type=product&id=1051384663529

 

[SRUAlmn]

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=5250774&type=product&id=1051384663529

Thanks! Definitely don't have one of those in the case