Could someone help an Advanced Amateur Computer guy get on the WIFI? We live in the country where we don't get a cell phone signal or Broadband. When we travel most Motels, and on the boat in the SFO Bay area there is WIFI. Last week I tried to use the Motel's free WIFI, my Laptop said I was "connected", I didn't know how to go any farther and couldn't get to my home page on the net. I thought it was just like adding another ISP, like AOL, etc. but that didn't work for me. Must have done something wrong. I'm sure there must be a lot of Computer Guru's on this forum. If not here, maybe someone of you could email me at mbechelb@carrollsweb.com and lead me through the process of getting hooked up when WIFI is available. If it isn't to much trouble or time consuming for you. I'm using Windows XP on a new 2006 Laptop. Thanks, Mel E.
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Get a Mac! 
Don't hate the comment, but it would so much of a no brainer if you had a Mac..... PC - gotta call India.. d-oh
Don't hate the comment, but it would so much of a no brainer if you had a Mac..... PC - gotta call India.. d-oh
Sorry I asked
thought it might be simple, and that some kind guy or guyette would be able to answer in a line or two. Please disreguard my 1st post and I'll ask elsewhere. ME
thought it might be simple, and that some kind guy or guyette would be able to answer in a line or two. Please disreguard my 1st post and I'll ask elsewhere. ME
Gee, Guys, thanks for your help
It's really nice to see people so helpful to someone who asks a simple question. But, I guess this was after cocktails, huh? Maybe in the morning, we'll get some more useful responses. RD
It's really nice to see people so helpful to someone who asks a simple question. But, I guess this was after cocktails, huh? Maybe in the morning, we'll get some more useful responses. RD
Wi-Fi
If the service is free, and it says you are connected, you should be able to open your browser, (probably ie on your setup), and start surfing. I have only used it at airports, but should work at motel. You might talk to the motel manager to see if there is anything you have to to get pre-setup with them. I am heading to Abaco July5 and plan to use some wi-fi services over there. They are pay services, so have to setup ahead of time. Good luck!
If the service is free, and it says you are connected, you should be able to open your browser, (probably ie on your setup), and start surfing. I have only used it at airports, but should work at motel. You might talk to the motel manager to see if there is anything you have to to get pre-setup with them. I am heading to Abaco July5 and plan to use some wi-fi services over there. They are pay services, so have to setup ahead of time. Good luck!
Password?
Most of the Wi-Fi connections I've used at hotels etc. require a password. The password should be available to guests at the front office.
Most of the Wi-Fi connections I've used at hotels etc. require a password. The password should be available to guests at the front office.
Really pretty simple on the WinXP
once you've done it successfully once... Clicking on the small radio dial in the bottom right hand corner of the screen (single computer with 3 parens) will show the available networks. On that dialogue box you can/will see what networks are available and whether they are password protected. If not, you should be able to click (double?) on any of these networks and be connected. Explorer should take a few secs to find the connection and your home page pop up. It's really that simple, generally. Sounds like you did some or all of this if you were seeing connected. I have seen networks that appeared available but I couldn't connect to them. I suspect they are password or otherwise protected but the dialogue box didn't show it. I believe that was the case at a large marina here on the bay. As it turned out, they charged a daily access fee and somehow they "turned on" the user's access. I have another connection and didn't pursue theirs. But basically it's very simple. If you can't connect, start with the network you're looking at, e.g., a particular marina and see what the problem is. Do you have Panera Bread in your area? They offer free WiFI in their stores. Go sit in one and see if you can connect. If not, start asking people around you who are connected if they can get yours going. Diagnosing a problem is going to be hands on.
once you've done it successfully once...
Clicking on the small radio dial in the bottom right hand corner of the screen (single computer with 3 parens) will show the available networks. On that dialogue box you can/will see what networks are available and whether they are password protected. If not, you should be able to click (double?) on any of these networks and be connected. Explorer should take a few secs to find the connection and your home page pop up. It's really that simple, generally. Sounds like you did some or all of this if you were seeing connected. I have seen networks that appeared available but I couldn't connect to them. I suspect they are password or otherwise protected but the dialogue box didn't show it. I believe that was the case at a large marina here on the bay. As it turned out, they charged a daily access fee and somehow they "turned on" the user's access. I have another connection and didn't pursue theirs. But basically it's very simple. If you can't connect, start with the network you're looking at, e.g., a particular marina and see what the problem is. Do you have Panera Bread in your area? They offer free WiFI in their stores. Go sit in one and see if you can connect. If not, start asking people around you who are connected if they can get yours going. Diagnosing a problem is going to be hands on.Thanks, Guys, I just knew there was nice
people on our forum. I just didn't have anyone locally to ask. I think I may be able to do it now, in the Motels it has been un-secured. On the Boat in the Bay/Delta there is a fee to get the Key, they have weekly, monthly, and yearly rates. When I'm down on the boat for a week at a time it will be nice to keep up with emails and the "Admiral" when she isn't with me.
people on our forum. I just didn't have anyone locally to ask. I think I may be able to do it now, in the Motels it has been un-secured. On the Boat in the Bay/Delta there is a fee to get the Key, they have weekly, monthly, and yearly rates. When I'm down on the boat for a week at a time it will be nice to keep up with emails and the "Admiral" when she isn't with me.
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