New to Wireless. What does this notebook need?

I have never used a wireless internet connection/computer before. My 'new' (used) notebook has some wireless capabilities that I've never had before.

It has some sort of built-in Wi-Fi detector as well. I started its Wireless Connection Wizard but stopped. It did go as far as asking to use WPA or WEP, neither of which mean anything to me.

I am looking for a brief outline of what it can do and what I will have to purchase. I'm not going to use it at home, just in coffee shops or libraries that seem to offer free wireless.

Here is what its got, I know its dated but anything wireless is new to me:

Dell Latitude D620 Notebook Computer


Display Type: WXGA Liquid Crystal Display

Screen Size: 14.1”

Memory Type: DDR2

Memory Size: 2GB

Memory Slots (Total): 2 - 1 slot under keyboard

Memory Slots (Filled): 2

Memory Slots (Available): 0

Maximum Memory Supported: 2GB

Memory Type: DDR2

Memory Size: 2GB

Memory Slots (Total): 2 - 1 slot under keyboard

Memory Slots (Filled): 2

Memory Slots (Available): 0

Maximum Memory Supported: 2GB

Capacity: 60GB

HDD/SSD Drives Included: 1x 60GB

Drive Types: Hard Drive

Drive Bays: 1 HDD

Processor Brand: Intel

Processor Class: Core 2 Duo

Processor Type: Dual-Core

Processor Speed: 1.83GHz

Processor Number: T5600

Graphics Description: Integrated Graphics

GPU/VPU: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950

Operating Systems: Windows XP Pro 32-Bit

Startup Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP Pro

Platform: Laptop

Expansion Ports: 1 - Express Card Slot

Optical Drive: CDROM Burner/DVD Player

Audio Description: Integrated Audio

PS/2 Mouse Connectors: N/A

PS/2 Keyboard Connectors: N/A

Serial Communication Ports: 1

Parallel Ports: N/A

USB Ports (Total): 4

FireWire Ports: N/A

Fast Infrared Ports (FIR): 1

LAN Ports: 1

Modem Ports: 1

Audio Out Jacks: 1

Line In Jacks: N/A

Microphone Jacks: 1

VGA Ports: 1

DVI Video: N/A

HDMI Ports: N/A

S-Video Connectors: N/A

Port Replicator/Connector: 1 - Docking Connector

eSATA Ports: N/A

Communications Description: Integrated LAN
Integrated Modem
Wireless LAN

Interface Type: RJ-11 Phone Connector
RJ-45 Ethernet Connector
802.11a/b/g WLAN

Data Transfer Rate: 56Kbps Modem
54 Mbps
10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet LAN

Protocols: V.92
WIFI
802.11b
802.11a
802.11g

Thanks

Brian

 

Hi,
what type of router are you using to access the internet with?? is it a wireless one??
Make and Model please and then we will be able to set you up and give you a run through of how to do it for yourself, wep,wpa,wpa2 and wpsk are security features that prevent other users from using your connection, once we have the make and model of your router this can all be sorted out for you.

iain.t :major

 

If, as you said, your intention is only to use it at coffee shops and wherever you find free WIFI, You really don't need to set anything up until your at a location that has service available. When your at a location that has free WIFI, use what ever utility it is setup to connect with to find the name of the connection and tell it to connect. The Windows client utility is very simple to use and will usually tell you if WIFI is available.

In the free WIFI realm I would recommend a firewall to protect yourself from others on the WIFI connection and don't allow any shared folders.

 

Can I assume then that I don't have to purchase any hardware for this particular computer?

I know this machine is old but I don't need any killer type speed at all.

Thanks

 

The only hardware you would need to purchase is at home a wireless router but you stated your not planning on using wireless at home, so no extra hardware needed.

 

One way to tell, when you get into an area that you know has Public Wireless axxess, Press Start, Settings, Network Connections. Look at the screen. If you see any options listed under "wireless connection", then no you don't need to buy any more hardware to get your computer to connect to the web. If you want accesss at home, then you may need a wireless router.

 

Note to self.. READ THE POSTS PROPERLY!!!!:-D

sorry about that!!! Right.. No you don't need any more equiptment to get you on line using your laptop when out n about if you are just going to be using *Free Hotspots*, but if you want to surf whenever and wherever you will need a wireless usb dongle, that you can purchase from any mobile phone company, these can bought via contract or PaYGo(pay as you go) which can be topped up like you do with mobile phones.

iain.t :major

 

I will consider the dongle approach once I establish that the computer works using Wi-Fi.

I'm just surprised that, for once, I don't need to get any additional hardware.

I understand that I will need wireless hardware if/when I install it at home. It would most likely be a satellite access that I will be using at home.

Does that narrow down what I might have to purchase then? I might have a new computer by that time.

Thanks

 

Hi Brian,
wether or not if the wireless connection works, if you decide to go down the dongle route the dongle is your internet connection device.But if as you have said the laptops one was asking for you to put in the wireless key (wep,wpa)the last time you tried then that suggests that there is nothing wrong with your built in wireless card,so there for if you do go with getting a Home internet connection nearly all ISP'S (Internet Service Provider) supply new customers with a free wireless router now-a-days, so you will not have the expense of getting the correct equiptment to get on line wirelessly, and the kit you get from which provider you go with will come already pre-installed with all the correct settings and instructions on how to connect wirelessly,but in the event that if you go down that route and run into problems PM (private message) me to say that you are making a new post and i will assist you in getting up and running .

Best Regards

iain.t :major