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Acer Travelmate. Automatic free Wi-fi connection?

Please tell me if I just turn it on to connect to the web.

I have an Acer Travelmate 2414WLMi and part of it's specification includes 802.11b/g wireless LAN. Also on the front is a button which the Acer guide says press to enable/disable the wireless function.

Please tell me if I go to a free wi fi location ( say McDonalds) do I just turn on the computer as normal, and then just press this wireless function button on and the computer will search, find and make an internet connection by itself?

I ask this as somewhere else on the computer I've come across a load of questions regarding 'setting up a wireless network connection'. Questions which I don't understand.

I cannot find any other info in the Acer guide regarding wireless connection.

Your help will be appreciated.
You don't stop laughing because you grow old, You grow old because you stop laughing
" Large print giveth - small print taketh away. "

Comments

  • BarGin
    BarGin Posts: 988 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Name Dropper
    If wifi is turned on, when an access point comes in range a requester should pop up asking if you want to connect. If you accept and it is unsecured (free) it should connect automatically.
  • espresso
    espresso Posts: 16,448 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Please tell me if I go to a free wi fi location ( say McDonalds) do I just turn on the computer as normal, and then just press this wireless function button on and the computer will search, find and make an internet connection by itself?

    It won't do it by itself! You have to select the wireless network that you want to connect to (there may be several in range) and usually then you have to enter the required encryption passphrase.
    :doh: Blue text on this forum usually signifies hyperlinks, so click on them!..:wall:
  • espresso wrote: »
    It won't do it by itself! You have to select the wireless network that you want to connect to (there may be several in range) and usually then you have to enter the required encryption passphrase.

    How do I get/find that passphrase; please?
    You don't stop laughing because you grow old, You grow old because you stop laughing
    " Large print giveth - small print taketh away. "
  • espresso
    espresso Posts: 16,448 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    How do I get/find that passphrase; please?

    The place providing the free BB will give it to you if one is required. Usually just to prevent non customers pinching their bandwidth.
    :doh: Blue text on this forum usually signifies hyperlinks, so click on them!..:wall:
  • If you are running Vista on your laptop and your wireless is enabled, then click on start & connect to

    A box should pop up showing you which wireless networks are in range and which ones are secured / unsecured networks.
  • Shaun_d123 wrote: »
    If you are running Vista on your laptop and your wireless is enabled, then click on start & connect to

    A box should pop up showing you which wireless networks are in range and which ones are secured / unsecured networks.

    I'm running XP home. Do you know if the same happens?
    You don't stop laughing because you grow old, You grow old because you stop laughing
    " Large print giveth - small print taketh away. "
  • espresso
    espresso Posts: 16,448 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    I'm running XP home. Do you know if the same happens?

    See here for instructions.
    :doh: Blue text on this forum usually signifies hyperlinks, so click on them!..:wall:
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