Wireless Connection Question

[Feralpeg]

I just purchased a new laptop for DD to take to college. It has a built in wireless card.

I have a wireless broadband router in my home. I got it and a wireless card for our old laptop and it works great.

Silly me, I thought that since the new laptop had the built in card, it would just work in our home due to the router. It doesn't. I get a message saying no connection found.

Should I have to install the software I put on the old laptop on the new one? I assumed I had to install it on the old one because it wasn't built in. It just seems odd to me that I would need to do that.

Any help from those less technically challenged than myself would be appreciated.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

My son's laptop picked up on our home router with no problem. I was at our local school, and had problems with mine & they had to give me a password. Is your internet access password protected?

 

[hiwaygal]

hey Peggy!

DH is a computer geek and his first response was to check the body of the laptop to see if there is an "antenna" switch...

Our laptop has built in wireless too, but we had to turn the antenna on.

 

[Taylor]

The new laptop should automatically find your wireless network. In the lower right corner of the screen you should have an icon for the wireless connection. It usually looks like a tornado in shape. Try clicking on that to view all nearby wireless networks. PM me if you have additional questions.

 

[Taylor]

hey Peggy!

DH is a computer geek and his first response was to check the body of the laptop to see if there is an "antenna" switch...

Our laptop has built in wireless too, but we had to turn the antenna on.

On my laptop (Dell) I press the "Fn" key and "F2". This toggles the wireless connection on and off.

 

[hiwaygal]

On my laptop (Dell) I press the "Fn" key and "F2". This toggles the wireless connection on and off.

ours is a Toshiba and apparently it's got a little switch on the side!

I had no clue it was even there until DH just pointed it out to me!

 

[Feralpeg]

ours is a Toshiba and apparently it's got a little switch on the side!

I had no clue it was even there until DH just pointed it out to me!

Thank You! That was it. It is a Toshiba and the switch was off. Gosh, I wish they would send good user manuals with these things.

Thank you everyone!

 

[hiwaygal]

Thank You! That was it. It is a Toshiba and the switch was off. Gosh, I wish they would send good user manuals with these things.

Thank you everyone!

DH says the tech fee is $150.

 

[Feralpeg]

DH says the tech fee is $150.

Please send the bill to my DD.

Thank you!

 

[hiwaygal]

so glad we could help!

 

[dundee10]

Peggy,

My concern is that if just flipping the switch connected you, your wireless network may not be encrypted. Neighbors, drive-by (war driving) tappers, etc. could at the least be using your ip to do their web surfing; or worse, could be foraging in your files.

 

[notnothin]

Peggy,

My concern is that if just flipping the switch connected you, your wireless network may not be encrypted. Neighbors, drive-by (war driving) tappers, etc. could at the least be using your ip to do their web surfing; or worse, could be foraging in your files.

Just because the access point is 'wide open' doesn't necessarily mean that her PC(s) aren't firewalled, password protected, etc.

With that said, it is a good idea to enable WPA (or at *least* WEP) on your router to discourage such activity as noted above. Those "in the know" realize that WEP is easily cracked, given enough time. WPA is the better option. Also, disabling the broadcast of your SSID is recommended. Helps to keep out the h4x0rz and pirates ... arrrggghh!!

 

[summerrluvv]

Peggy,

My concern is that if just flipping the switch connected you, your wireless network may not be encrypted. Neighbors, drive-by (war driving) tappers, etc. could at the least be using your ip to do their web surfing; or worse, could be foraging in your files.

Our neighbors don't have their wireless network PW protected because when using the laptop we pick up their connection. I wouldn't know how to steal their files, etc., but living in an apartment complex with our units attached, you would think they would set up something more secure.

 

[Feralpeg]

Peggy,

My concern is that if just flipping the switch connected you, your wireless network may not be encrypted. Neighbors, drive-by (war driving) tappers, etc. could at the least be using your ip to do their web surfing; or worse, could be foraging in your files.

Thank you! I will enable WPA (as soon as I figure out how to do this). LOL! We do have firewalls, but our files are not password protected.

I did notice once I flipped the switch, we found three different wireless networks available. I assume two of those belong to my neighbors!

I appreciate the help!