Wondering About Wireless Internet

Ascendancy · 11-29-2007, 05:54 PM

I just got a new laptop and I am wondering if anybody has any suggestions on a type of wireless card?

**johnwill** · 11-30-2007, 08:00 AM

Most new laptops already have wireless capability.

Start, Run, devmgmt.msc

Under Network adapters, please tell me all the devices listed. Also, are there any devices anywhere in the Device Manager display with yellow ? or ! displayed?

Ascendancy · 12-05-2007, 01:09 PM

Sorry it took so long. I have 2 things, neither of which has those symbols:

-Realtek RTL8101 Family PCI-E Fast Ethernet NIS (NDIS 6.0)
-Realtek TRL8187B Wireless 802.11g 54Mbps USB 2.0 Network Adapter

Any ideas?

**johnwill** · 12-05-2007, 03:19 PM

Could you share the make/model of the laptop with us?

Ascendancy · 12-05-2007, 04:45 PM

Of course, it's a Gateway running Windows Vista Home Premium.

**johnwill** · 12-06-2007, 07:36 AM

Gateway what? Exact model please.

Ascendancy · 12-06-2007, 12:37 PM

Uhm Gateway T-1620 with an AMD Turion processor. Does that help?

**johnwill** · 12-06-2007, 02:54 PM

As you can see from these specifications (http://support.gateway.com/s/Mobile/...4881Rsp2.shtml), that machine has wireless hardware. If it's not showing up in Device Manager, my guess is it's disabled in the BIOS. I'd check that first. You shouldn't need an add-on wireless card for any modern laptop.

Ascendancy · 12-06-2007, 06:41 PM

Well then that's definitely good news! I haven't messed around in the Device Manager too much, but the only things in there were the things I posted earlier:

-Realtek RTL8101 Family PCI-E Fast Ethernet NIS (NDIS 6.0)
-Realtek TRL8187B Wireless 802.11g 54Mbps USB 2.0 Network Adapter

I can mess with those right now, but what is the BIOS?

EDIT
I just checked it out, and it seems to be picking up some network but it is asking for some password key. My current DSL box doesn't have an antennae, would I need that or no?

**johnwill** · 12-07-2007, 07:34 AM

If you don't have wireless capability on your router, you're seeing someone else's network. Next step is to buy a wireless router so you have the ability to use that wireless laptop.

Of course, the exact make/model of the modem and/or router would help a bunch here.

Ascendancy · 12-07-2007, 12:35 PM

Well I have a Westell, not sure of the exact model. I asked my friend and he said to call up Verizon (that's who I have DSL with) and ask for a new wireless modem/router. Good idea, or is there another way to do this?

**tosh9i** · 12-07-2007, 12:40 PM

Does your westell look like this one:

http://www.netfaqs.com/windows/DSL/c...327w/index.asp

If so, then it is a dsl modem with a built in router that has wireless capabilities.

Ascendancy · 12-07-2007, 12:51 PM

No, it doesn't have an antennae. I was looking at some of the models earlier today on Westell's site, and I noticed that was the one that I need. I am just not sure if I can grab a new one free from Verizon or if it will cost money.

**tosh9i** · 12-07-2007, 12:58 PM

One of these:

http://business.verizon.net/Help/dsl/?case=c23511

Ascendancy · 12-07-2007, 01:04 PM

Yea I have the Westell 6100 Modem, but I can just call Verizon and request to order the Westell VersaLink Gateway?

**tosh9i** · 12-07-2007, 01:41 PM

You can try:

http://business.verizon.net/Help/DSL/HelpContactUs.aspx

**johnwill** · 12-08-2007, 01:40 PM

You can get your own wireless router for a lot less than from Verizon.

How about $5 after rebate? http://dealnews.com/TRENDnet-802-11-...re/200180.html

**tosh9i** · 12-08-2007, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnwill

You can get your own wireless router for a lot less than from Verizon.

How about $5 after rebate? http://dealnews.com/TRENDnet-802-11-...re/200180.html

Well, if you're going to get that from CompUSA, you better act fast because after the holidays, there won't be any CompUSA left.

CompUSA To Close Up Shop

http://www.crn.com/it-channel/204703166

**johnwill** · 12-09-2007, 08:30 AM

Well, I assumed it was now.

OTOH, you are right, one of those rebates is to CompUSA, so I suspect the real price is $20 now.

11-29-2007, 05:54 PM	#1 (permalink)
Ascendancy Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 161 OS: Windows XP Professional SP3	Wondering About Wireless Internet I just got a new laptop and I am wondering if anybody has any suggestions on a type of wireless card? __________________ I really don't know

11-30-2007, 08:00 AM	#2 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,685 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: Wondering About Wireless Internet Most new laptops already have wireless capability. Start, Run, devmgmt.msc Under Network adapters, please tell me all the devices listed. Also, are there any devices anywhere in the Device Manager display with yellow ? or ! displayed? __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

12-05-2007, 01:09 PM	#3 (permalink)
Ascendancy Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 161 OS: Windows XP Professional SP3	Re: Wondering About Wireless Internet Sorry it took so long. I have 2 things, neither of which has those symbols: -Realtek RTL8101 Family PCI-E Fast Ethernet NIS (NDIS 6.0) -Realtek TRL8187B Wireless 802.11g 54Mbps USB 2.0 Network Adapter Any ideas? __________________ I really don't know

12-05-2007, 03:19 PM	#4 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,685 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: Wondering About Wireless Internet Could you share the make/model of the laptop with us? __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

12-05-2007, 04:45 PM	#5 (permalink)
Ascendancy Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 161 OS: Windows XP Professional SP3	Re: Wondering About Wireless Internet Of course, it's a Gateway running Windows Vista Home Premium. __________________ I really don't know Last edited by Ascendancy; 12-05-2007 at 04:48 PM.

12-06-2007, 07:36 AM	#6 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,685 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: Wondering About Wireless Internet Gateway what? Exact model please. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

12-06-2007, 12:37 PM	#7 (permalink)
Ascendancy Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 161 OS: Windows XP Professional SP3	Re: Wondering About Wireless Internet Uhm Gateway T-1620 with an AMD Turion processor. Does that help? __________________ I really don't know

12-06-2007, 02:54 PM	#8 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,685 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: Wondering About Wireless Internet As you can see from these specifications (http://support.gateway.com/s/Mobile/...4881Rsp2.shtml), that machine has wireless hardware. If it's not showing up in Device Manager, my guess is it's disabled in the BIOS. I'd check that first. You shouldn't need an add-on wireless card for any modern laptop. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

12-06-2007, 06:41 PM	#9 (permalink)
Ascendancy Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 161 OS: Windows XP Professional SP3	Re: Wondering About Wireless Internet Well then that's definitely good news! I haven't messed around in the Device Manager too much, but the only things in there were the things I posted earlier: -Realtek RTL8101 Family PCI-E Fast Ethernet NIS (NDIS 6.0) -Realtek TRL8187B Wireless 802.11g 54Mbps USB 2.0 Network Adapter I can mess with those right now, but what is the BIOS? EDIT I just checked it out, and it seems to be picking up some network but it is asking for some password key. My current DSL box doesn't have an antennae, would I need that or no? __________________ I really don't know Last edited by Ascendancy; 12-06-2007 at 07:02 PM.

12-07-2007, 07:34 AM	#10 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,685 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: Wondering About Wireless Internet If you don't have wireless capability on your router, you're seeing someone else's network. Next step is to buy a wireless router so you have the ability to use that wireless laptop. Of course, the exact make/model of the modem and/or router would help a bunch here. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

12-07-2007, 12:35 PM	#11 (permalink)
Ascendancy Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 161 OS: Windows XP Professional SP3	Re: Wondering About Wireless Internet Well I have a Westell, not sure of the exact model. I asked my friend and he said to call up Verizon (that's who I have DSL with) and ask for a new wireless modem/router. Good idea, or is there another way to do this? __________________ I really don't know

12-07-2007, 12:40 PM	#12 (permalink)
tosh9i TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 3,835 OS: Windows XP	Re: Wondering About Wireless Internet Does your westell look like this one: http://www.netfaqs.com/windows/DSL/c...327w/index.asp If so, then it is a dsl modem with a built in router that has wireless capabilities.

12-07-2007, 12:51 PM	#13 (permalink)
Ascendancy Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 161 OS: Windows XP Professional SP3	Re: Wondering About Wireless Internet No, it doesn't have an antennae. I was looking at some of the models earlier today on Westell's site, and I noticed that was the one that I need. I am just not sure if I can grab a new one free from Verizon or if it will cost money. __________________ I really don't know

12-07-2007, 12:58 PM	#14 (permalink)
tosh9i TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 3,835 OS: Windows XP	Re: Wondering About Wireless Internet One of these: http://business.verizon.net/Help/dsl/?case=c23511

12-07-2007, 01:04 PM	#15 (permalink)
Ascendancy Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 161 OS: Windows XP Professional SP3	Re: Wondering About Wireless Internet Yea I have the Westell 6100 Modem, but I can just call Verizon and request to order the Westell VersaLink Gateway? __________________ I really don't know

12-07-2007, 01:41 PM	#16 (permalink)
tosh9i TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 3,835 OS: Windows XP	Re: Wondering About Wireless Internet You can try: http://business.verizon.net/Help/DSL/HelpContactUs.aspx

12-08-2007, 01:40 PM	#17 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,685 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: Wondering About Wireless Internet You can get your own wireless router for a lot less than from Verizon. How about $5 after rebate? http://dealnews.com/TRENDnet-802-11-...re/200180.html __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

12-09-2007, 08:30 AM	#19 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,685 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: Wondering About Wireless Internet Well, I assumed it was now. OTOH, you are right, one of those rebates is to CompUSA, so I suspect the real price is $20 now. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience