Wireless laptop connection help

[TheGoofster]

OK, I have a compaq lap with wireless internet connection, and I am very pleased with it, but so far I have never had to take it anywhere. Next week we will be headed back to the states for a couple of months, and I will be taking my lap with us. The server I use down here is Prodigy. From what I understand (at least what I've been told) is that as long as I have my Prodigy account password, I can connect to the internet from pretty much anywhere that has a Prodigy server nearby. Is this correct? Also, is it correct that my lap will automatically search for a connection no matter where we are, and if it finds one, all I have to do is put in my password to access it?

Secondly, how will this also apply to my Wii? We will also be taking our Wii with us on the trip, and I was hoping to pick up a copy of Mario Strikers (which offers on-line play). How would I go about trying to hook it up to the internet from different locations(we will be in at least 6 or 7 different locations)? In order to make it work here, I had to put in the pin number from the bottom of my internet router, but I know I won't have access to that while we are traveling.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. TIA

 

[gallaj0]

Let's start with the laptop:
If you are in an area of a wireless router that is NOT password protected, you can get on the internet. (lots of libraries, Starbucks, etc have free wireless internet). You need to have "Automatically connect to any wireless connection" set in your IE tools, i think. You will not be able to just jump onto anyones wireless signal if they have it protected. If your Prodigy account has web accessible email,or you use Outlook or a similar program that automatically connects and downloads your email once you are connected to the internet, you should be all set.

For your WII, I think you will need to put in the access number from the router you are using to connect to the internet at the time. If it is protected, you will need a 26 digit key to use the connection.

 

[TheGoofster]

Let's start with the laptop:
If you are in an area of a wireless router that is NOT password protected, you can get on the internet. (lots of libraries, Starbucks, etc have free wireless internet). You need to have "Automatically connect to any wireless connection" set in your IE tools, i think. You will not be able to just jump onto anyones wireless signal if they have it protected. If your Prodigy account has web accessible email,or you use Outlook or a similar program that automatically connects and downloads your email once you are connected to the internet, you should be all set.

For your WII, I think you will need to put in the access number from the router you are using to connect to the internet at the time. If it is protected, you will need a 26 digit key to use the connection.

So in other words:
laptop connection - pretty good chance
Wii connection - forget it.

Thanks.

 

[gallaj0]

If you can't find an unprotected access point, you'll have the same issue with the laptop.

You can Google for free access points, there's plenty of sites that list them by zip code, city, etc.