^OPM^

Im no computer expert so need help.

My girlfriend has an old 3-4 year laptop with XP on it-what equipment, and rough cost, do i need to enable me when away at say a travelodge hotel to connect to the internet as they are wi-fi enabled?

It wont be used for internet at home as i will use my main computer so just need it to be able to use other folks networks.

Thanks in advance.

Mark

mystery_machine

iTrader: (1)

i would imagine you will only require a usb/cardbus adapter, prices vary considerably but I think they are all pretty much the same

bioforger

iTrader: (1)

1st off I assume the lappy has not got built in wireless?

If not then you'll need to buy a PCMICA wireless card or USB wireless adapter which comes with drivers, easy to setup usually.

Or if it's built in check it's active, sbe obvious from device manager, if not you will need to install the relevant wireless adapter driver for your lappy.

Once active it's pretty much job done to connect to free wireless access points, as the wireless software will actively search for open networks when you're out n about.

^OPM^

How will i check if its got built in wireless? sorry if i sound dumb

bioforger

iTrader: (1)

What make and model is it?

^OPM^

Just booted laptop up and BIOS says year 1999 on it ( so a bit older then she thought)-make of laptop is IBM thinkpad T20

bioforger

iTrader: (1)

Yea that doesn't have built in wireless, so as said you will need to buy a wireless adapter card.

joey_turbo

iTrader: (26)

I've used a few thinkpads, find them pretty solid work horses.
Can't remember what a T20 is like. But I just found a pic on ebay:
Auctiva Image Hosting

That cover to the right of the windows sticker , might be a mini pci slot.
If it is, you can fit something like this:
NEW DELL Mini PCI WI-FI b/g Wireless FOR INSPIRON 9200 on eBay, also Accessories Parts Components, Wireless Networking, Networking, Computing (end time 13-Nov-08 23:03:14 GMT)
So you don't have to have a nasty usb stick sticking out all the time.

^OPM^

Ok thank you-will price one up-are they all same or do some work differant to others?

joey_turbo

iTrader: (26)

The Mini PCI cards just go by speed, but are the same fitment.
Check it out first, because I'm not convinced it is a mini pci now, as the rest of the laptop is fairly low spec.
If you can take that cover off and take a picture, I could tell you for sure.

bioforger

iTrader: (1)

T20 has a normal cardbus slot as already mentioned! The slot in that pic is for the RAM.

joey_turbo

iTrader: (26)

Those are crappy slots, with the card sticking out.
The ram is in the bottom right BTW.

bioforger

iTrader: (1)

Oh yea ure right, it doesn't have mini pci though either way

joey_turbo

iTrader: (26)

Doesn't look like it has a mini pci, here are the only decent set of specs I could find:
IBM ThinkPad T20 700 MHz Pentium lll Laptop - Reviews, Best Prices and Product Information at BizRate
The T21's do have a mini pci.

That cover probably hides the area where a min pci could go, just the pcb part of it. The harness would need to be solders and bios changed for it to work, so a massive job not worth doing. Its definately not for RAM, as 2 empty RAM slots are clearly visble on the bottom right.

As mentioned, probably best to go for a PCMCIA card. It will still stick out, but will be firmer than a USB stick sticking out.

Thing is, if you are buying a wireless router, it'll most probably come with a USB stick.

bioforger

iTrader: (1)

Most routers worth their salt have options to buy either, well Netgear ones do.

ScoobyDoo555

why not just get a usb stick with an extension cable - no "sticky-out" block then. just a cable....

There's loads HERE
All for about £14-15......

Dan

bioforger

iTrader: (1)

Maybe because we have already mentioned that?

ScoobyDoo555

yeh but it seemed like such a good idea, I felt that it was worth mentioning again

Dan