Wireless modems on laptops

[Johno6]

So i stuffed around with my old laptop and got it working again, i had to like reformat everythign and re install windows etc...
everytime before hand when i tried to re install windows everytime it got to a .inf file it said it couldnt findd it

anyway its all working again now, but i need to get the wireless modem hooked up to my housemates net, now im pretty sure he has his router etc i just dont know how to do it.
and how do i do it so i can just plug his cord for cable into my laptop to get the new to?

[mick]

not sure what you want here? You want to log into your mates wireless network? There is a search for wireless networks utility in Windows. You should see what networks are availble, your mates network should have a name, if you click connect to that name if the network is secure you will be asked for a network key (password) your mate should have this, once you enter this connecting to the network should then be automatic. The other thing that can go wrong is that he could instruct the modem to only accept certain MAC addresses i.e specific machines. As long as this isn't enabled anyone who knows the network string should be able to log in wirelessly.

[Dirko]

Is your laptop wireless ?

I just flick a switch on mine and it picks up any wireless in range (usually my next door neighbours)

I just click on the one I want.....

[Johno6]

before my laptop stuffed up and i had to re format and re install windows i could do what u said... now i dont have the option... it used to just come up automatically and id just choose the one i wanted... now nothing, nothing about wireless and whne i try set one up it talks about saving some settings to flash drive before i can do it or something?

[Westsider]

You probably need to install some drivers for your wireless

Go to device manager and see if there is any peripherals which aren't installed. You'll see a yellow icon on them.

[Johno6]

how do i download the drivers without having to register to like driver detective or whatever it is?

i wanna gfet the updates and drivers but not pay moola

[Westsider]

Does it tell you the brand of the wireless card?

Otherwise plug your laptop directly into the modem and search.

[Westsider]

Remember google is your friend to.

A lot of the time I just type in my problem, look at a few results and go with the one that sounds the best.

[Johno6]

i need to update all my drivers.. and when i try to it uses driver detective which finds the ones i need upodated then i have to pay to install them..

i have a LG LM50 i just cant find out where i can install the drivers from.

its frusttraing me so much...


when i try to install new IE etc it has errors, i tried to install office it came up with errors

i wanna get the drivers then use a online viorus scan till i find my virus scanner or borrow mates...

[dedja]

exactly how did you reinstall windows? ... and what version?

[Johno6]

just put the cd in and re installed it.....

[dedja]

Westsider has given you 3 doses of good advice ... have you followed the advice?

Here's some more free advice ...

Don't update any drivers unless something isn't working properly ... as Westsider has stated, device manager will highlight the devices that are not working correctly, fix those first.

Work on one problem at a time, systematically ... ie. identify a problem, research the fix and then remedy without changing anything else at the same time , once successful go to the next problem ... if you don't, then be prepared for some very long hours of frustration with nil return.

Finally, what version of windows are you running? if its XP or Vista, you can utilise recovery points to selectively back out failed changes or updates whilst you are trying to diagnose problems.

[prowling panther]

maybe you have the ID 10 T virus.lol

[dedja]

maybe you have the ID 10 T virus.lol

[Lunchcutter]

try http://www.techsupportforum.com/

be prepared for some long tech sessions, you've got to be very systematic when working through these problems... i have the tech support people at this forum very helpful - important to follow them though step by step

[Johno6]

maybe you have the ID 10 T virus.lol

im guessin this is some sorta joke...


anyway im running windows xp and driver detective says im missing like 14 drivers.

i frickin hate laptops....i used to be pretty good with computers n shit like 4 years ago.

now i know absolutely nothing...


thansk for the help tho guys

[Psyber]

I assume this laptop didn't come with a driver disk and that they were stored on the HDD and obliterated because the reinstall was not done with the restore disk for the laptop - is that correct??
[If you use the laptop's restore disk it usually preserves and reinstalls the drivers automatically.]
You may be able to find the drivers on the website of the laptop maker, or at least links to them.

[Johno6]

I assume this laptop didn't come with a driver disk and that they were stored on the HDD and obliterated because the reinstall was not done with the restore disk for the laptop - is that correct??
[If you use the laptop's restore disk it usually preserves and reinstalls the drivers automatically.]
You may be able to find the drivers on the website of the laptop maker, or at least links to them.

i think u may be correct... he didnt give me any cds or anything when he sold me the laptop..

so now im with nothing..

im hoopin i can just give it to someone and let them do it so i dont kill myself from being so angry

[Psyber]

I assume this laptop didn't come with a driver disk and that they were stored on the HDD and obliterated because the reinstall was not done with the restore disk for the laptop - is that correct??
[If you use the laptop's restore disk it usually preserves and reinstalls the drivers automatically.]
You may be able to find the drivers on the website of the laptop maker, or at least links to them.

i think u may be correct... he didnt give me any cds or anything when he sold me the laptop..
so now im with nothing..
im hoopin i can just give it to someone and let them do it so i dont kill myself from being so angry

All is not lost. Your other option is to contact one of the Linux sources.
Ubuntu will send you a free disk to install Ubuntu Linux as an operating system, and that automatically provides drivers for most common components and peripherals.
You can get 32 bit or 64 bit versions. If the processor is not 64 bit or you are not sure go with 32 bit.
The disks also come on PC magazines too. If you don't want to wait to have one sent have a look in the local Newsagent.
The Ubuntu disks also usually include Firefox for Linux and the Linux version of Open Office.
OO can be set to save everything in a Microsoft format so the output is compatible - that option is under Options or Preferences - I'm not sure which it is called offhand..

[dedja]

Unless the laptop is somethng very exotic, a fresh XP install should provide a clean setup with the drivers to enable it to function, after which you can update the appropriate drivers.

Don't even think about frigging around with Linux because if you can't work out Windows XP, you'll have zero chance or decifering any Linux variant.

No offence, but you don't seem to have much idea about what you are doing.

It is nigh impossible to give you advice over a form like this with limited information.

Find someone who does, even if you have to pay a them to do it, as it not normally a difficult task to complete.

If you can't find someone to do it and you have a legal XP setup disk, then PM me.