[doydie]

Never had a lap top, always a desk top. It's kind of a luzury item for me. I will continue to use my PC for my primary computer, it's bigger. Just got the lap top so I can surf, Facebook, etc when I'm on the couch or take it over to my Moms and show her pics, etc. My son in law is in IT and really wanted me to get a Mac but my DH still thinks a computer is for recreational use only so I couldn't justify paying a lot of money for this. Any hints on best way to maximize my experience. I have a router. I just hope some one over at my Mom's apartment complex has a router that I can feed off of. But I can still show her pictures and anything els that's on my desktop. But she hears me talk about Faceboook a lot and how I am connecting to so many family members and she wants to be part of that. It is extremely difficult for her to come over to my house.

[pud's friend]

I've always had a laptop rather than a desk top. The thought of having to move to a table/desk to be on the poota is yuk. I love sitting around with the internet at my fingertips.
But I'm no computer whizz so can't help on the technical stuff. sorry

[legzzalot]

Congrats! If it doesnn't have a wireless card, you can buy a "USB wireless adapter" on eBay for around $15. Or you can get one from Best Buy for around 40. (Reason #16,583 that I refuse to shop at Best Buy). But you would need the wireless router.

Aside from that, not really sure how else to optimize it. But I can tell you thise little wooden tv trays are the persect height in my house for using the laptop in the living room. I don't think I have turned on my desktop in 3 months.

OH one other cool toy I have: it's an external hard drive. Also found on Ebay. Actually, I have 2. One is for computer backups and business files, the other is where I put all of my music, movies, and pictures. They both fit on the little table with my computer. I do this to keep the memory available on my hard drive.

[AfterMyNap]

Good for you, Doyd! I've never owned a PC, and wouldn't, for I am a Mac devotee and (sing with me now), I can do anything you can do better.

Have fun!

[Dejibo]

many laptops have a wireless switch. if its ON, it should see the wireless signal in your house. (you will need a wireless router to make it work)

Have your SIL come over, and give you the run down on how to make the best of it. There is nothing like a hands on demonstration. He will also be able to point out things that we cant see.

Congrats! nothing like a fun new toy!

[doydie]

What is a 'USB wireless adapter' and what does it do? I do have a router

[doydie]

Well I did what I could to hook this lap top up and then waited for my daughter. I was so frustrated with myself thinking that if I can't even hook it up then what in the world am I doing with one. It's jsut a lap top and I already have the router. So my daughter works on it for about 30 minutes and can't figure anyting out. I call my other daughter because her DH is the one that's in IT and hooked my router up and routinely cleans it, etc. He said he knew nothing about Windows7 but would call me at 10 PM and we would work it out.

I didn't want to wait for that so we called the HP tech number. I think we were directly connected to India or somewhere. Anyway my lap top could not recognize my router. So he had us disconnect the router from the 'puter and connect it directly to the laptop and then he did some kind of magic trick and properly introdeuced them. So now everything works.

I can't believe it is as fast as it is. It might make this one faster also because I won't do my game on Facebook on my desk PC and I won't do a lot of other stuff on the laptop. So it's all good!

[Dejibo]

Modem = a box that is WIRED to YOUR desktop. it brings the internet into your house. whether thru your phone or cable line, doesnt matter. it is NOT wireless.

Router- some are WIRED and you must plug your computers directly into them, to make them work.

Wireless router- Your modem, plugs into it. Then it send a wireless signal around your property and allows anyone with a device capable of seeing the signal, to jump on the internet.

USB adapter= its a plug in device that slips into that little rectangle on the side of your machine. most are about the size of a man's thumb. Once plugged in, it allows your machine to see that wirless signal bouncing around the house.

Most newer laptops, have a slide switch (slides back and forth) that will turn on your computers ability to see any wireless connections in your home./office/cafe

How do I know if I have a wireless router? go over to where your computer comes into your house. should be a box with blinking lights. turn it over, and read. It should be labled as "modem" or "router" or "wirelss router" Since you have not had wireless toys in your house before. you probably have a wired modem.

How to install a wireless modem for a laptop
http://www.ehow.com/how_4830449_inst...er-laptop.html

4 steps to set up your home to be wireless
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/orga...lesssetup.aspx

I hope that helps.

[doydie]

I don't have anything plugged into my laptop. It just recognizes the router. My computer is upstairs and when I took my laptop downstairs today to watch recorded The biggest loser there were several times my laptop 'lost signal'. That's the best way I can describe it. I had to go to the reconnect part on my laptop.

[Lady]

Good for you Doydie.
Wish I had one, they look awesome.

I plan to eventually get a laptop. It's not in my budget right now. With a wireless router anyone can get on your airwaves within 300 feet or more. My son said you can password protect your wire/wireless router just for your use, but I don't know how it is done.

When he comes here he jumps on other people's waves to use his laptop. He said people should not leave them open. He can read the name they call their computer. Maybe a tech can help you with that if you don't want your waves used. Just a thought. Enjoy your new toy.

Dej, you are really up to date on computers. I will remember those links. Thanks.