Laptop needs card for hot spots....

[bettysue]

I tried to research this on my own, and could not find a definitive answer.

What type/kind/specs does a laptop pcmcia wireless network card have to have to connect to the ever increasing hot spots around the country?

We have already purchased a Linksys wireless (802.11g) which doesn't want to connect to anything except a local router.

Any advice/information appreciated,

Betty

[bettysue]

Is there perhaps a FAQ, sticky post, or regular post that I may have missed about this topic that would tell me what I need to know?

thank you,

Betty

[YeOldeStonecat]

Are you using XP with the built in wireless utility? Service pack 2 for XP?

I have great luck with the wpc54g...I flip between that and a Belkin G adapter..depending on which laptop 'n case I have with me at the time...they both work fantastic.

[bettysue]

I believe he is using the software that came with the Linksys card. Should that be removed and change to use the wireless networking? He is running XP Pro.

Thank You,

Betty

[YeOldeStonecat]

You'll see arguement for both sides...some people hate the built in XP Wireless configuration utility (probably just to join the trend of hating Microsoft)..and others love it. Myself...I prefer it..I use it all the time. I switch between 3 different wireless adapters with my laptop (A Belkin, a Linksys, and a Cisco)...my laptop travels between...oh...lets say at least 30 different wireless networks, the XP wireless config works great for me. Make sure you have service pack 2.

[bettysue]

Thank you so much (yet again) YeOldStonecat!!

Just to make sure, even though the card itself isn't here, the original box is and it is the card you mentioned, the Linksys WPC54G.

I just left the other half voicemail about changing over to the Windows Wireless config (he does have XP Pro SP2 installed).

He has been going through withdrawals as he hasn't been able to connect to the net since he left on June 2 to train for a truck driving company he's going to work for.

When he was in school here to get his CDL license, the laptop did connect to the hotels network just fine. However since he left on this trip he hasn't been able to connect anywhere. Probably somehow his drivers got messed up and being the bright boy he is, the card driver cd is here. So hopefully once he changes to the Windows tool all will be well.

I'll let you know if he is successful in the change and can finally hook up.

Thank you again!

betty

[ErikD]

Keep in mid that not all hotspots offer free access, some requrie a payment to get on the network. If he is able to see the networks but it comes up with the not able to connect message then have someone from the hotspot give the proper passwords that are needed to connect.

As for the Windows vs. Manufacturer managed wireless connections, well anytime I can avoid running one extra application on my computer I do. More resources available for what I want to do, and the Windows SP2 tools work just fine for me as far as setting up a connection.

[bettysue]

Hi Erik,

Thank you for the additional information :)

When I told him to uninstall the Linksys drivers, apparently the uninstall didn't work completely and left him at that point unable to run the Windows wireless or the Linksys, jsut a bunch of messages from XP wanting to connect to the internet to find new drivers.

Fortunately though he and his trainer had a run from GA to FL last night and he said he would be able to stop quicky at a local truck stop to pick up clothes, etc. So I downloaded any XP related wireless updates, the Linksys drivers and manual, wrote it to cd and printed out a bunch of docs from the MS site.

I just spoke with him and he re-installed the Linksys drivers and then was able to do a clean uninstall. He said it looks like the Windows Wireless is going to work now. He just needs to be somewhere there is a hot spot.

He does need to subscribe to use it at the truck stops. There are two major ones they usually use, so he will have to decide which one to subscribe to. Both places break it down by the day/month/year, etc. so he may pay for a day at bother to see which has a more stable signal.

As soon as he has a chance to try an initial connection, I'll let y'all know if it worked or not. If not get ready for more questions :confused:

Thank you and Stonecat again!

Betty