connecting while traveling

I will be traveling through Australia and the US in a few weeks and want to be able to access wireless networks while I am away. I've never had trouble in Australia, but have had nothing but trouble in the US.

I couldn't connect at Starbucks nor at the Marriott last time I was in the US. I couldn't even get the screen up that asks for your money! When we checked the signal strength it was very high at all times.

I used wireless without problems in Mexico at the end of 04 and figured it would have to be at least that easy in the US. No one I talked to could figure out why if I was getting signal, I couldn't DO anything.

I want to be prepared this time. What do I need to know and do? Most access will be in hotels and airports.

 

What laptop and what make of wireless does it have? Might have some bearing on the problem.

 

The laptop is an Asus A2500L wireless card is excel wireless lan ieee 802.11b that slots into the side.

I have not decided if I will drag that big boy around this time - I am leaning towards taking my ViewSonic tablet instead and/or purchasing an ultraportable on arrival.

 

Without knowing specifics on each issue, it's near impossible to help you. Try updating your wireless card drivers though.

 

If you're leaning towards buying a lighter lappy when you arrive (US or AUS?) that might be the better way to go. In the US, I've had no trouble getting wireless to work "out of the box".

One suggestion if you're hitting the US first, is to look online at the weekly advertising flyers at such stores as Circuit City, Best Buy, CompUSA, Staples, Office Depot, Office Max to see what is available on Sale. If you wait until you're in the store it gets a little bewildering. :decision:

 

As a cheaper option if updating your drivers doesn't work, how about getting a different PCMCIA wireless card.

 

This may be a dumb and totally new-b answer.....BUT.. Mabe since your computer only picks up B signals (for lack of better words) it is unable to detect the signals of the widely used G type signal?

Sorry if this is a worthless post!(((Just trying to contribute)))

 

Generally routers that can do g, can do b as well.