wireless internet connected across country

hoffy628 · 02-27-2006, 10:39 AM

Hello
Okay, my mother-in-law purchased a new Dell laptop, it has built in wireless network. when I helped her get it up and running I noticed that it was picking up an wireless internet connection from somewhere. I didnt think much of it as her neighbors are teachers so i figured she was picking up there signal.
however, she recently went from here in minnesota down to florida, North Caorlina, Wiscolnsin, and back home to minnesota, and for most of the trip she had a wireless internet connection....??????
How on earth is this possible? Wi is the only place she didnt have much of a signal at all, it was on and off for the rest of the trip.

Thanks for any insight into this issue...
Ron

**Fox** · 02-27-2006, 11:02 AM

Was she able to browse the web and do things that you'd need a connection for?

I once brought a laptop with a wireless card in it on a car trip, and it did touch a lot of networks, but as soon as it would recognize an ssid, it would lose the connection.

The only thing I can think of that this could be if she had a consistently good connection the whole trip is GPRS, which is essentially the same type of network that cellular phones operate on. But this usually requires a subscription, and for every laptop that actually has it built in, there's five that don't.

hoffy628 · 02-27-2006, 01:16 PM

yes, she was able to search, they actually were on a road trip looking at stuff to buy on ebay, and searched for items while in route.... dont I wish I could do that..

02-27-2006, 10:39 AM	#1 (permalink)
hoffy628 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 42 OS: xp	wireless internet connected across country Hello Okay, my mother-in-law purchased a new Dell laptop, it has built in wireless network. when I helped her get it up and running I noticed that it was picking up an wireless internet connection from somewhere. I didnt think much of it as her neighbors are teachers so i figured she was picking up there signal. however, she recently went from here in minnesota down to florida, North Caorlina, Wiscolnsin, and back home to minnesota, and for most of the trip she had a wireless internet connection....?????? How on earth is this possible? Wi is the only place she didnt have much of a signal at all, it was on and off for the rest of the trip. Thanks for any insight into this issue... Ron

02-27-2006, 11:02 AM	#2 (permalink)
Fox TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: NJ Posts: 7,752 OS: XP Pro, CentOS My System	Was she able to browse the web and do things that you'd need a connection for? I once brought a laptop with a wireless card in it on a car trip, and it did touch a lot of networks, but as soon as it would recognize an ssid, it would lose the connection. The only thing I can think of that this could be if she had a consistently good connection the whole trip is GPRS, which is essentially the same type of network that cellular phones operate on. But this usually requires a subscription, and for every laptop that actually has it built in, there's five that don't. __________________ Antec Neo Power 500W, ABIT IP35-E, Intel E2180@2.66Ghz, Corsair XMS2 2x1GB DDR2-800, PNY 8800GT, 320GB Seagate * lazy college student alert *- If I've inadvertently ignored a thread, please Let me know about it Have I helped you solve your problem? Donate to Techsupportforums Klart Skepp!

02-27-2006, 01:16 PM	#3 (permalink)
hoffy628 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 42 OS: xp	yes, she was able to search, they actually were on a road trip looking at stuff to buy on ebay, and searched for items while in route.... dont I wish I could do that..