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-   -   Buying a wireless card (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/buying-a-wireless-card-609889/)

Neopolitan Apr 23rd, 2006 10:28 AM

OK, I found the mentioned bay and yes it is empty. That sure sounds like the best idea to me.

logos, I was about to "rub your nose in it" for not using Tinurl or something. I may be computer illiterate, but at least I've mastered that! LOL

By the way, if I have trouble installing it, I'm assuming Gateway technical support will walk me through it free, as they just did for doubling my memory.

logos999 Apr 23rd, 2006 10:37 AM

>Gateway technical support will walk me through it free
I wouldn't count on it, but it's basically the same precedure, except that you have to attach the antennae. There are 2 connectors on the top right side of the card, one is labelled "main". Your gateway will either have 1 or 2 wires sticking out in that bay. If it's 1 connect it to main, if it's 2 connect both. Quite easy.

Neopolitan Apr 23rd, 2006 10:52 AM

Actually through a "glitch", I have free technical support with Gateway on this laptop until 2017 (the laptop will be an antique by then). Everytime I call them for something they check how long my free support is good for and they always laugh about it. Don't ask, but yes, it should be free.

Meanwhile I have something like 7 minutes to wait to see if I won the top one on EBAY, cheaper shipping than any of the others coming up.

God, you get good help on this site. To think I spent hours at three stores and got no good information. No one suggested this, including Gateway.

Neopolitan Apr 23rd, 2006 11:01 AM

OK, won my $14 bid on Ebay, after my 12.50 bid was outbid. Should have it in a couple of days.

Thanks, you'll all hear about it if this doesn't work! Maybe you will if it does work too.

logos999 Apr 23rd, 2006 11:07 AM

It will work out of the box, don't worry :-) Actually, I know what I'm talking of ;-)

Neopolitan Apr 23rd, 2006 11:19 AM

Actually I was more referring to my ability to screw it up installing it, or waiting to see if it ever works in Europe for me or not.

One apartment we rented in Paris had free high speed internet. "Just plug it in and it will work" the owner said. It never did for me, after hours of trying every possible thing I could think of.

So I'm waiting to see if I have some sort of firewall issues or other blocks that I won't know what to do with even if I do get a wireless signal.

I know it's hard for the "computer literate" of you to understand how hard it all is for us dummies.

logos999 Apr 23rd, 2006 11:37 AM

Even if somebody only knows the basics on DHCP, DNS and TCP/IP knows more than 99% of all users. Even the windows firewall can be tricky. And people who know how to set up security, encryption and channels on lager WiFi installations are expensive and not easily available... If it doesn't work, if will quite likely not be YOUR fault. Just set everything on automatic.

Seamus Apr 23rd, 2006 11:42 AM

I was in the same situation a while back. I bought a relatively cheap ebay basic laptop just for use while traveling and it did not have integrated wireless. I bought a Linksys wireless card because that's the brand router/modem I have on my home LAN and have been using it for years. Yes, the card does stick out a bit but it is simple to insert and remove (which I do when transporting it.) I have successfully used it in several countries without problem. Now I am wondering if I can open the bottom and insert a card, too; I don't see any bay cover and suspect this is too old a machine. It's a Dell Latitude CPi A-series.

logos999 Apr 23rd, 2006 11:49 AM

You'll have to look inside the manual and search for a "mini-pci slot/bay". It's rather unlikely your "old" Dell has one.

Neopolitan Apr 23rd, 2006 11:54 AM

OK, since I don't even know what DHCP, DNS and TCP/IP mean, I guess I'm in the 1%. LOL

Budman Apr 23rd, 2006 11:58 AM

I knew you were asking for trouble when you asked that question. :-) ((b))


logos999 Apr 23rd, 2006 12:05 PM

Budman, I know I just can't keep quiet, when somebody asks a question with such an obvious answer, gets lots of responses, but just not that obvious answer. :-) :-). Anyway, I can earn enough money with this stuff to be able to travel around the world now and then. That makes everything o.k., doesn't it :-)


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