[JustWeave]

I am new to the idea of being owned by a laptop. I would be the first one in the house to have one. I bought a laptops- for- dummies type book, but I'm still totally confused.

We have one router and four things connected to it. The router is not used in wireless mode. I don't want to buy another router or disconnect something from the current one. Do I need a certain type of laptop?

[Jomar]

New laptops have the wireless connection capability built in to them.

So if your router is also a wireless router as well as a wired router you should be set.
Does your router have a small antenna coming out of it?

Or post the brand name and model number and I can look it up.

If it is a wireless router = all you do is turn on the new laptop and it should find the connection for you.

But if there are security settings on the router that block wireless access then those would need to be changed or you would need the name of your home access point and possibly the password.
But that is only if someone set it up to be extra secure and the laptop can't "see" the router connection.

[JustWeave]

I guess it has an antenna but I would have to look for it. The router is tucked in a hard to see place. We have it set up to not be wireless due to security concerns. Sounds like I would have to undo that. I was hoping not to.

[Jomar]

If you have a good security internet suite - with the anti virus, anti spyware, those usually have built in extra security for networks & wireless.

The router & connection can be set of quite secure too.
passwords and such

If you live in an apartment or close housing it would be more of a concern than if you are in a rural area.

you could test how far your wireless signal goes by taking the laptop outside and with the signal meter showing - walk around till it loses connection.
ours doesn't go very far much outside of our house - and we are out in the country .

[Dejibo]

I live on the middle of a dead end street that is mostly abandoned during the winter. I felt really safe using an UNlocked signal. I found a neighbor had rented out an apartment above their garage and the new kids were "stealing" my signal. Whats the big deal about steal a signal? it slow down YOUR service. The more folks that are pulling off your signal, the harder it has to work to keep up. I found out they had a game system, 2 laptops and a desktop. I password protected my system recently and my service sped up quite a bit.

ALL wireless/wired routers have websites that you can download their management software. If its linksys, you can simply go to their website at Linksys.com and click on downloads. make sure you write down the model # of your router. The website will show you how to find it. Belkin and Netgear also have similar websites that allow you to down load their software programs that will allow you to control your router. If you kept the disc, it will be on the disc as well. This will allow you to open or close the door to your wireless signal. It will allow you to monitor or keep track of who is using your signal. Easy to use, easy to follow instructions, just go step by step from the web site.

If you are simply using the modem (modem is a box the phone line/cable line the internet comes into the house thru is plugged into) vs a router (a box connected to the modem to allow the signal to be used in several places around the house, not just the main computer) it may be different. If your box that you are hooking up to is from the cable/phone company that provides your internet, it may have a different hook up than the standard boxes that some folks by to have wireless in their homes. I have a wireless home. My blu ray and game systems as well as my lap tops all hook up to the internet thru the wireless signal. If you have the phone/cable company box, you may wish to invest in a "router" or "wireless router" to make your home wireless.

Most laptops have a slide, or a button located next to a symbol that looks like a lollipop with a couple of wave lines next to it. If that symbol is lit up, then your wireless signal finder is ON. If that symbol is dark, it means you need to slip, or poke the tab next to it, to turn it on. then the machine will find whatever signal is available. Coffee shops, car repair places, mcdonalds, hotels, and so on now carry wireless "hot spots" they give out a signal for FREE use while on their property. Sometimes you have to ask the cashier for the password, and they are pretty good at explaining how to connect to the service. After you do it a couple of times, it becomes old hat.

If you use a wireless vs wired connection, you can roam pretty far with your computer. Sit in bed and surf the web, or be outside watching the kids play while you answer emails. I can get my signal for 4 houses away. Our houses are not close, and I have an extended range signal.

Just take things one at a time, and before ya know it, you will be a pro at slinging that thing around. Or you can ask any teenager to help you.