How To Get Wi-fi Internet Access On A Laptop

I have a laptop which when I brought it two years ago I was told that it had wireless internet, yet I do not know how to work it, could someone tell me how I can store or access wi-fi internet on my laptop, or explain to me what I need to do e.g. Do I need to pay for it or something. It would be very much appreciated.

Better still can someone explain to me how wi-fi works. I have no idea about technology at all.

On how wi-fi works, do a simple search online and you will get loads of info.

If your laptop is wireless enabled, it is not enough for the seller to tell you so, look under the laptop you will see the wifi logo and a sticker stating the supported protocol and serial number.

Once you have this it means that your machine has inbuilt wireless capability, so you do not need to buy any.

To access any wireless network around you all you need do is toggle the switch (look for it somewhere on the laptop, it is usually designated with an antenna like sign).

However, you will be able to pick only unsecured wireless networks around you because those that have taken the time to change the default configurations of the wireless access points will certainly lock you out.

So, to access unsecured wireless networks on a wireless enabled laptop, all that is required is to toggle that switch but keep in mind that someone may deliberately setup an unsecured wireless access point to steal information from your own machine or to monitor or track your internet history or get some valauble information like logon credentials.

You may see the article http://www.justwebservices.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=88&Itemid=104
I wrote some months ago on the rise and rise of unsecure wireless networks in Nigeria.

@Afam

Thankyou the information you supplied has been very useful however I do not have a switch on my laptop so I do not know what it is that I need to turn on. I do have an antena sign but it looks like I need to insert something like a pair of earphones. Can you shed a bit of light on that.

Dang what is this afam dude talking about,  look 4 some dumb a** logo and wat f**king switch do u have to toggle,  dude he said he was told the computer has in built wireless connection,  he should click on START>SETTINGS>NETWORK CONNECTIONS . Thats where u will enable/disable your wireless connection (if u truely have one). And then u have to have a wireless router at home before you can get wireless internet. I am guessing you know this already.

Hi, If your laptop has an inbuilt wireless (Wifi) access. what it means is that you can get internet access without a booster equiptment, like Radio and Antenna plus accessories.

Now the first thing to do is to go to an ISP- Internet service provider outfit that can provide you with Bandwidth for internet access.(preferrably one that can cover your location)
You get to then pay for the cost of the bandwidth (either monthly or based on their service plan) which will be allocated to you for your laptop.
If you are in Lagos, its usually from 15000 naira for a 24-7 unlimited for a one month perid to a minimum of 5000. (Depend on what you want)

Go for wireless, its way better than Dial-up

Then Enjoy.

along with what vokal_guy said, you should have a 'centrino mobile technology' logo on your laptop.
If your laptop wifi settings are enabled, depending on where you live, you can access wifi hotspots (access points) at train stations, airports, some parks, hotels, restaurants, etc and you could easily set one up in your home. to do this you will need to connect a router (wireless) to a wired cable or DSL modem (LAN).

hope this helps.

@vokal_guy, Maybe that's how you "Nigerian Americans" talk to each other over there but here in Nigeria it is customary to try and show a little more politeness. You are of course perfectly entitled to disagree with an opinion but there is no need to be rude.

Just my 2 cents worth,

anabib,
can you pls give me the name of wireless providers in Nigeria. thanks

WELL IT DEPENDS ON WERE U ARE LIVING IN LAGOS. If i get to know your area, i can assist u. I am using easynet concepts and they provide good wireless service to Surulere and Ikeja environ.

HERE ARE A FEW.

Cyberspace Limited(vsat)
1, Olosa Street
Victoria Island
Lagos
Tel: 234-01-2624288 2622720
Fax 234-01-2624287
Email: info@cyberspace.net.ng
URL:http://www.cyberspace.net.ng

Easynet Concepts Ltd (wireless)
101 ogunlana Drive
surulere, lagos
018044918

21st Century Technologies Limited (Diallup)
Plot 249A Muri Okunola Street, Victoria Island Annex, Lagos.
Tel: 234-1-2621195, 4708888, 4709696

Webcom Limited
58, Toyin Street, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria
Tel/Fax: 234-1-4966562, 4970473, 08033045670,

yea new, u got that right

Just take a ride to Ahmadu Bello way in via or one of those banks, launch IE and see if you will get a connection.

or if you are within mile 2, satellite town. festac town, ojo u can contact moi.

Kiwibabe,

Sorry I didn't follow up on the thread.

Usually there is a switch just where the antennae logo is displayed which you may need to toggle on or off.

There is also usually a LED that blinks or is lit whenever your wireless network card is on.

You can also turn on the wireless network by using what I call auxiliary keys (Fn + antennae logo, same color with the Fn).

You may go the route of accessing the device manager and enabling the WIFI card if it is currently disabled otherwise you will see it as enabled when you click on the properties tab.

If you need to setup a wireless access using your laptop as the server and not a client, you can go so if you are using Windows XP (internet connection sharing feature) while other machines connect to your laptop as clients.

If you want to access a wireless internet connection being provided by anyone (fee based or free) and you have an inbuilt wireless network card, simply activate it or enable it using any of the methods stated above and you will be connected to the nearest WIFI hotspot unless it is secured.

Let me know if the information above helps in any way.


vokal_guy,

There is something they say about half knowledge being a very dangerous thing and I am certain you are displaying it here on a public forum.

Afam,

Although you are precise in your post, I believe you are describing wireless connection setup for laptops over 3 years old (maybe more)i.e. using wireless network cards.
Most recent laptops come with built in wifi and are tagged/labelled on the left of the laptop, 'centrino mobile technology'.

Hi New,

My laptop is getting to 4 years now and it came with inbuilt wireless netwrok card. It doesn't have to be centrino as centrino is simply a platform/architecture for mobility and long battery life. Mine is a Toshiba Satellite Pro 6100 series with even an option for bluetooth if I need it as the bluetooth stack is loaded on my machine from factory.

Now, that a machine has inbuilt wireless capability is one thing and for the user to figure out how to connect to any wireless access point out there is another.

I try to be as simple and as clear as possible in my posts as I will not want to believe that everything is cool with technological jargons or acronyms.

Pardon me, but I was only trying to explain the same thing differently to make it easy for anyone to understand me.

Take care.

Thankyou to everyone that replied, I have finally got my wireless internet working, I had to creat a name for it etc (I do not konw the technical terms), which was pretty easy. I am yet to connect to a wifi hotspot as my laptop rarely leaves the house but I will let you all know when it does.

To you all , the advice you gave was very useful and informaive

@ kiwibabe, how were you able to do your.pm me

It is always nice to use wireless internet given that you are provided with a fast, reliable and stable connection. congratulations!