new laptop

[mouse1]

Ok I just got a new laptop (for my brother)(he drives truck) it has a built in wireless card,I also purchased a wifi finder...The laptop is an HP pavilion ze4904us,winXP home SP2,256MB DDR ram, Now the question is what if anything do I have to do make the wireless card active? So my brother can access wifi hot spots...TIA...

GaryD..

[glc]

Most laptops with internal wireless have a button on them to turn the power on and off to the wireless. Read the user's manual. If it has WinXP, you can manage the wireless by right clicking on the wireless network connection, view available wireless networks.

[mouse1]

Thanks glc..I found the button,and read the manual,but I am still confused about whether there is any setup that needs to be done in order for us to access the interrnet VIA wifi hotspots...

[glc]

Exactly what I said - view available wireless networks. If any are in range, they will show up. You do not need any 3rd party "finder" software unless you are gonna go wardriving. Most "public" hotspots will associate with no encryption, the security is at their back end, open IE and you will probably get a signin page.

[mouse1]

That should be easy then thank you very much glc,God bless....GaryD