I have a Toshiba Satellite laptop, about 5 yrs old. I know it CAN be made to be wireless, but what I want to know is what do I have to buy, and how much will it cost??? Any ideas on where to start? I know I can go to various computer store sites, but don't know exactly what I need. Thanks!

You need a wireless adapter compatible with 802.11g or 802.11g wireless networks.

Depending on the slots you have available, you should get one with either a USB connection or a laptop adapter like this one
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Customer-reviews-for-Lin...oductDetailReview.do

thanks! Altho it looks as if that particular brand/model is NOT the one to buy, at least I have an idea of price....about $50. All I want to know now is: do I need anything else to make this work? So often with electronics you THINK you have all you need, only to discover there's some wire/adaptor/gizmo that no one told you about!

A lot depends on how you want to use the wireless connection. If you are networking several computers at home or want to share a fast internet link then you might need a router.

Hi Barb - I also have a Toshiba satellite (17" - P25; purchased at the end of 2003). All I had to get to set up a wireless network was a router (I got a Linksys wireless - G Broadband for about $60 but I'm sure any brand will work, however, Linksys customer support was great since I found installing this software a bit more detailed than others (and I like to think I'm software proficient :-). Of course, to go wireless in a "hotspot" (i.e., here in the U.S. Starbucks, Borders, etc.) I didn't need to purchase anything. Just switching on my wireless button on the left seeks and uses any unsecured wireless network in the area I'm in.

Okay, I'm retarded when it somes to coputers, so bear with me....

I looked at the diagram of my computer (A Toshiba Satellite 1905, btw), and I do have an "optional wireless antenna on/off switch" on the right side, along with an "i.Link port" (whatever that is). So now....

Obviously if I want to use a wireless connection I need to turn the wireless antenna switch "on".....so do I also need to buy something else? I'm still confused about whether or not I need a router...or anything else. I won't be networking my computer with other computers, just want to take advantage of the free hi-speed wireless offered by the hotel we'll be staying at.....but then I'll need to hook the computer back to my ADSL modem wonce we return home.

Is it really as simple as turning this switch...or is it (as I suspect) more complicated???

"thanks! Altho it looks as if that particular brand/model is NOT the one to buy, at least I have an idea of price....about $50."

Strange, as I have had exactly this PCMCIA card for several years, and it has never been a problem. A USB wireless adapter is often much cheaper - you can pick up generic USB wireless adapters for around £8-10 in the UK.

Some latops do keep their wireless switched off by default (It supposedly saves on the battery).
Try turning it on - a lot depends on what software and version you are using. If Windows XP with Service pack 2, then it should try and detect any wireless networks in range.

To state the obvious, a single wireless adapter is no good. It needs something to connect to - either a free wireless hotspot, a paid for hotspot, or your own home router. (I would have added "Or next door's network" , but in the UK we have recently had a person prosecuted for connectiong to anothers network without permission).

TimW

quote:

Originally posted by TimW:
...To state the obvious, a single wireless adapter is no good. It needs something to connect to - either a free wireless hotspot, a paid for hotspot, or your own home router....

Thanks Tim, but of course I'm still confused. We'll be staying at a place that offers free hispeed wireless, so I know it's 'legal', but what I need to know how do I access it? Do I simply turn the wireless antenna switch to "ON", and I can connect? I just know there's more to this than you're telling me!

right now, to connect to the internet via my ADSL modem, I do have to configure my computer so it knows what modem/ISP to connnect to. Do I need to change those settings in my control panel to enable my computer to receive the wireless signal, PLUS turn that switch to "ON"?

And what about security? Where/how do I ensure that others can't access my computer while I'm online via this wireless connection?

If there is a wireless network in the area, then if you turn on the wireless, then a window should appear showing you available wireless networks, and the strength of the signal. If you go to the control panel, networking section, it should show you "available connections" and a wireless adapter should be shown.

Otherwise the check the adapter is being recognised, look under Control panel, system, hardware, device manager and click "network adapters" to see if there are any visible (see picture - right at the bottom the network adapters are listed - I don't have a wireless device on my system but my wired ethernet card is listed)



If you find the wireless network, it may be secured (in which case it will prompt you to enter a password) or unsecured in which case pressing "connect" should get you connected almost immediately.

Assuming that you are running Windows XP , then it should already have a built in firewall to prevent outside users accessing your PC. If you have any "shared directories" then other people on your network will be able to see those. Shared directories are ususally indicated by little hands holding up the directory name. You can swith of "File and printer sharing" for a connection in the control panel.

TimW

Thank you! Now it's becoming clearer...and seems almost easy! All I have to do now is waitl til we get there to see if it really is that easy......

Maybe you could test it before you go by going to a wifi hotspot (like Starbucks) to see if the wifi locations pop up.

If it were me, I would want to know for sure it is working before I left.

Nancy

quote:

Originally posted by nancyhol:
Maybe you could test it before you go by going to a wifi hotspot (like Starbucks) to see if the wifi locations pop up.

No Starbucks in Italy Nancy! Heck, I don't even know if we have any hotspots in Umbria!!

Starbucks was just a "for instance" - I thought there might be some other hotspot place you could check it out.

PS - I would rather have Italian coffee than Starbucks ANY day!

Nancy

How about it...does anyone know of hotspots in central Umbria...,in Perugia maybe?

There would appear to be 4 hotspots in Perugia

Look here

http://wi-fi.jiwire.com/search-wifi-hotspots.htm?city_id=2396220

Thanks! Here's hoping I get good results!

Barb, if you are in a hotel that offers wireless connections--either free or you have to pay kind--there will be directions in the room as to what you need to do. If you try what they say or you don't understand what it says, just call the desk and someone will help you. Just be sure you have your wireless switch turned to on.

While you travel it is a good idea to turn it off--which I usually forget to do.

Also,if you have bluetooth capability,turn that off while you travel.

When you are home, since you have a highspeed connection, just get a router and then you can go wireless. Don't let the concept of router intimidate you. As someone else said, if you buy a Linksys router, if you call them they will walk you through getting it set up.

Or better yet---call Telecom (good luck) and they will bring the router and set it all up for you.

Thanks Jane, and everyone, for so patiently trying to help me! I guess it just seemed to good to be true to think that all I had to do was turn the switch to "ON"...I mean really, when has anything computer related every been as easy as that?!?!

I'm not sure we'd be able to go wireless in San Venanzo (or that we need to), or that it's worth the time and trouble it would take for me to figure it out, but just knowing that I can go wireless in the states is a really big deal for me! Thanks again!