ACER 3212 - how to wirelessly connect to hotspots...???

ACER 3212 - how to wirelessly connect to hotspots...???

Respected Tech gurus and dear friends

I have just purchased an acer laptop.

The acer model is 3212 (3210 series)

http://global.acer.com/products/notebook/tm3210.htm

All i want is to make sure that i can wirelessly access the internet at various hotspots through my laptop in USA especially at the hotel where i intend to stay (as the hotel does provide free wireless internet access)...????

BUT I am too too non technical person and am unsure whether the laptop acer 3212 needs any aditional hardware or software so that i can access the net in usa.

pzl have a look at the above link which gives the detailed feature of my laptop and suggest whether any additional hardware is required or not...????

I am absoultely new to this networking and wireless stuff and request you knowledgeable people to guide me in a simple and desciptive manner what should be done to achieve this.

Thanks a lot for your anticipated help and cooperation.

Best regards

Sunando
kolkata INDIA

sunandoghosh (at) gmail (dot) com

p.s. plz add anything else which u may feel i may be missing or is nevertheless important.

 

Hello and welcome.

It is extremely to do. In a nutshell: If you can surf wirelessly at home, you can surf wirelessly anywhere.

Since you have built-in wireless card, you have no problem, but for other people with older laptops require a wireless access card, available at any computer store, which gets plugged into a slot on the side of the laptop. Newer models may not require anything; Cooper says about 70 percent of new laptops come equipped with wireless technology. Here's what to do next:

1. Arrive at a hotspot, power up your laptop, and check to see whether you're getting a network signal. The signal indicator may be a green light on the wireless card or an icon on the bottom of the screen.

2. Some operating systems will configure your wireless networking card automatically and a login screen will pop up to announce you have wireless access. Access could be free, but either way you will be required to input user information such as an e-mail address, password, and method of payment—make sure the site uses 128-bit encryption. You are ready to start surfing.

3. If your wireless networking card is not configured automatically, Spotnik, a hotspot provider, recommends the following: On the Start menu, click Programs. Choose your wireless card utility, and select the Configuration tab. Set the mode to Infrastructure and the SSID to Spotnik or the name of the hotspot you are frequenting, which you should be able to glean from someone on the premises. Once configured, launch your browser, log in, manage your account, and connect to the Internet.

Thats it.

JC

 

After turning on the laptop, you MAY have to turn on the wireless card separately - most laptops have a switch somewhere for the wireless card. Once that is on, look for the wireless icon in the Tray (next to the clock).

Right click on the wireless icon and choose "View Wireless Netoworks". In the list of available networks if there is an indication that you are connected to one of them, you're good to go. Just launch your browser.

If you're not connected, there will be a "Connect" button. Click on it and you will see "Acquiring Network Address" which hopefully will eventually change to "Connected". Once you see that you're in and then you can launch your browser.

When the browser is launched, some hotels will require you to enter a password at the first browser screen - at least in the USA some do. So ask at the hotel front desk if you require a password.