I have WiFi! Now what do I do?

[Bookworm]

I just got a Siemens SpeedStream 6250 modem second hand, and found the USB drivers. Windows 2000 now knows it has another ethernet port on USB, but it doesn't know the modem is plugged into its ethernet port, or that it has a DSL modem at all, (BTW, I don't have DSL) or that it has WiFi.

Where can I get the rest of the drivers?

There is a restaurant across the street that has WiFi. They might be in range, and while getting the whole neighborhood online is probably *not* what they had in mind, I don't think it would be a problem to use their WiFi to test this thing.

What software do I use for WiFi? (I assume it isn't FireFox.) Will the neighbors WiFi interfere with mine? When I find a WiFi PC Card for the ThinkPad, how do I make sure it's compatible?

[RealBlackStuff]

Don't read the bible, do a Google search and you will find!
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14228062
http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-re ... 47641.html

[hausman]

I just got a Siemens SpeedStream 6250 modem

Actually the model number is 6520.

There is a restaurant across the street that has WiFi. They might be in range, and while getting the whole neighborhood online is probably *not* what they had in mind, I don't think it would be a problem to use their WiFi to test this thing.

The SS6520 is a DSL modem with builtin wired and wireless router. It's used to create a WiFi "hotspot" rather than to access another one. What you need instead is a WiFi adapter. There are two types that will work with your ThinkPad, a PCMCIA adapter and a USB-attached adapter. In both cases make sure that (1) it comes with Win2k drivers and (2) it supports at least the 801.11b standard.

On a separate note, even if you're within range of the WiFi hotspot across the street, you may still not be able to get in if they've protected it. Some places charge for WiFi use and others give out access information (the password) only to customers who ask for it. Some also restrict free use to, say an hour a day, etc.

[Bookworm]

> Don't read the bible,

Why not? It tells us where we came from, where we're going, how to live, and how to know God!

> do a Google search and you will find!

A couple of articles for people who already know how to use wifi. I don't have a clue what to do with it, and since it's just something you're supposed to automatically know, the basics are apparently not even on the internet.

Thanks, hausman, for at least a *little* information. Mostly I just wanted to use the restaurant to test this thing, not leach off them for internet access. Now I know why the "Wireless" light on the front is always off.

But I still don't know what program to use to access wifi, connect my ThinkPad to the desktop, etc.

Do I need drivers to connect to the internet with a DSL modem? Windows knows it has a network connection. That's all. It knows that it has a dial-up modem, and if it was on the serial port, it would know about the serial port and the modem, not just the serial port.

[RealBlackStuff]

> Don't read the bible...
Why not? It tells us where we came from

And you really believe that?

If you read the articles that I pointed you to, you will find all the instructions you need, incl. user manuals.
This will create a wifi access point (your Siemens unit).
A laptop can access wifi using e.g. a PCMCIA wifi card or the built-in wifi card, if your laptop has one.
Both have their own drivers.
To connect, just start up your browser, Windows will/should do the rest.

[mattbiernat]

And you really believe that?

i do.

[Neil]

And so do I! I'm always surprised (though I know I shouldn't be) by those who don't. They are just ignoring the facts. But I think we are getting way off topic here. If we want to discuss the origin of man, let's start a new topic in the off topic area. OK?

[Harryc]

Good idea Neil. In fact if y'all discuss religion and politics via private PM that would also suit me just fine . Now, back to this topic ... Bookworm, at this point you do realize that in order to do WiFI you need a card for your Thinkpad. The router is nice, but it's only half the equation.

[killer]

Whatever the bible, or any other good book, says about internet access is beyond me. However, the law in many countries forbids the wifi user from accessing anyone else's wireless network unless they have express permission. So beware ... or you'll be in trouble.

[BeeJayEmm]

It's one of the commandments: thou shalt not covet thy neighbors' wifi.

[Bookworm]

Ok, now I have a D-Link AirPlus DWL G650 PC Card in the ThinkPad. All the drivers are installed and network connections have been created.

Why don't the two computers connect? Starting ie or FireFox doesn't do anything. There is no evidence these devices have anything to do with each other. I might as well have the desktops LAN cable plugged into the ThinkPads joystick port for all the good this is doing. The difference is that this mess is supposed to be a little more compatible.

Now what do I do?

> Whatever the bible, or any other good book, says about internet access is beyond me.

Nothing. That's why I'm asking theoretically intelligent people like you.

> However, the law in many countries forbids the wifi user from accessing anyone else's
> wireless network unless they have express permission.

If I get arrested for getting a login prompt, it's time for a revolution.

>>> Don't read the bible...

>>Why not? It tells us where we came from

>And you really believe that?

Do you have any *evidence* against it?

> If we want to discuss the origin of man, let's start a new topic in the off topic area.

Might be a good idea, but I can't imagine what I could post that hasn't already been studied in more detail tha wil fit in this forum on Answers in Genesis. RealBlackStuff, I suggest you look up any supposed evidence you have against the Bible there before making yourself look foolish by posting nonsense and ignorance here.

[JaneL]

>>> Don't read the bible...

>>Why not? It tells us where we came from

>And you really believe that?

Do you have any *evidence* against it?

> If we want to discuss the origin of man, let's start a new topic in the off topic area.

Might be a good idea, but I can't imagine what I could post that hasn't already been studied in more detail tha wil fit in this forum on Answers in Genesis. RealBlackStuff, I suggest you look up any supposed evidence you have against the Bible there before making yourself look foolish by posting nonsense and ignorance here.

Hmmm.... I thought a mod already requested that this thread not go down this road. No matter. I'll fix it.