Please help a clueless lady go wireless!!

happymummy24-7

Before i even start....IM SORRY!
Im sorry to all of you who will be reading this and thinking 'not another one who doestnt read the sticky's'! I have read through all morning but im just SO computer phobic that even the simple stuff isnt making sense!

I would like to set up my laptop for my daughter in her bedroom:
I have a pc downstairs running AOL silver broadband (they just sent me a new wireless modem thingy so i know that part is set up properly!)

What i would like to know is what equipment do i need for the laptop-does it just need a wee card or usb plug thing or do i need that whole package that martin mentioned ( wireless kits for £30 ish )?
The laptop is a toshiba satellite pro running windows xp and i tried connecting it to my broadband aol connection and had it working fine- how do i know if it has wireless in it or a card ect-so SO sorry i know im stupid!

I was hoping i would already be nearly there with the wireless modem already installed in the pc it is a thomson speedtouch 585 v6 and it says wifi certified on the bottom-incase you need to know this!?

I greatly appreciate any help offered as i am so looking forward to surprising my daughter with this-if i can work it out,lol.
thank you all,laura.

jem16

If it's a fairly new laptop, chances are it will already have built-in Wi-Fi.

Normally this can be turned on or off by using one of the F keys. Have a look and see if one of them has a wireless symbol. You may also find the wireless icon down in the sysytem tray. It looks like a little PC with lines coming out of it.

Any sign of any of these?

Chippy_Minton

happymummy24-7 wrote: »

What i would like to know is what equipment do i need for the laptop-does it just need a wee card or usb plug thing or do i need that whole package that martin mentioned ( wireless kits for £30 ish )?
The laptop is a toshiba satellite pro running windows xp and i tried connecting it to my broadband aol connection and had it working fine- how do i know if it has wireless in it or a card ect-so SO sorry i know im stupid!

Look on the bottom of the laptop and post the exact model number and we'll be able to tell you if it has wireless built in.

If it doesn't you need either a USB wireless adapter - http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/cat/Wireless/subcat/USB-Adapters
or a wireless PCMCIA card (also known as PC Card) - http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/cat/Wireless/subcat/PCMCIA--Cards

Either card will then connect to the router wirelessly.

cledor

If it has wireless built in, when you press Fn F8 ( Tosh Sat Pro wireless activation key) an LED should come on telling you the wireless is on, there could also be a small slider switch on the left side near the volume control for wireless activation.

happymummy24-7

My goodness-such a quick reply-THANK YOU!
the model number is: PS210E-005ES-EN
TOSHIBA SP2100 is also written on it

ALSO
on the F8 key it has a wee symbol like a telegraph mast with curved lines that looks to me like it means wireless??

happymummy24-7

yes it has a slider switch but no led comes on when i press the F8 key-perhaps because its not actually connected to anything yet maybe?
Thank goodness i fianlly think im getting somewhere!!

cledor

According to Tosh website this product is:-
"Wireless Technology : Wireless LAN upgradeable with optional mini PCI card "

So you will need to add a wireless PC Card (or USB adapter)

Chippy_Minton

According to the specs at http://uk.computers.toshiba-europe.com/cgi-bin/ToshibaCSG/jsp/SUPPORTSECTION/discontinuedProductPage.do?PRODUCT_ID=45513&DISC_MODEL=1&service=UK, 'Wireless LAN upgradeable with optional mini PCI card', so it doesn't have wireless built in. The F8 key is just there to support wireless when you add the card.

happymummy24-7

So i could pop into currys and buy one of those cards and it will work?
Do i need to install some software into the laptop to make the broadband work or does once i insert the card does it link up itself?

Just to let you know aswell we were given this laptop by a friend because it wouldnt work due to having had no virus software installed and last night it was connected through this broadband connection and i used one of the online virus scanners to get it cleaned up......it worked and as i say im completley computer phobic,so thank you for that help aswell as this-you have no idea how much it means to people who dont have a clue and would feel silly asking anywhere else!!

wotnoshoeseh

You need to hold the function key down when pressing F8.

cledor

Suggest you follow the manufacturer's instructions regarding installation, often in Win XP the OS will recognise the additional hardware.

Once it's connected you can download an anti virus package such as free AVAST or AVG.