IBM/Lenovo ThinkPad T23 - DVD Movies & Internet - Newbie

[2901bruce]

Hi Guy's!

I just purchased a refurb IBM/Lenovo T23 Notebook Computer. I'm running MS-Windows XP Pro/Office 2003, & Internet Explorer. It is the 1.13mzh version w/256mb RAM/20GB HDD/56K PCMCIA Modem /Wi-Fi 802.11b Network Card & Internal DVD/CD-RW Combo Drive. I need to hook up with a fast Internet ISP which will allow me to connect to a standard telephone jack (travel/hotels). Also, I need a good piece of software (free?) which allow me to play my DVD videos (movies), including Blockbuster/Netflix rentals.

What do you recommend?

Thanks........... 2901bruce.

[tfflivemb2]

I recommend K-Lite for free DVD playing software and codecs. It actually uses an older version of Media Player for playback.

[pianowizard]

I bought a PowerDVD5 CD on eBay for around $5 shipped, after trying dozens of freeware none of which worked very well. I think spending $5 for good software is worth it.

[2901bruce]

I recommend K-Lite for free DVD playing software and codecs. It actually uses an older version of Media Player for playback.

Thanks

[2901bruce]

I bought a PowerDVD5 CD on eBay for around $5 shipped, after trying dozens of freeware none of which worked very well. I think spending $5 for good software is worth it.

Thanks

[Thinkpaddict]

Hi Guy's!
I need to hook up with a fast Internet ISP which will allow me to connect to a standard telephone jack (travel/hotels).

Since I see that you are in the Sacramento area, I will tell you my experience with my ISP. It is Strategic, and the service I have is cable internet. The service is OK (though somewhat slower than the Comcast I used to have in the Bay Area). Also, the system has been down about 4 times in the last 10 months, and in some cases it took 3 days to come back up (both the internet cable and the TV cable). Just thought I would mention.

[2901bruce]

Hi Guy's!
I need to hook up with a fast Internet ISP which will allow me to connect to a standard telephone jack (travel/hotels).

Since I see that you are in the Sacramento area, I will tell you my experience with my ISP. It is Strategic, and the service I have is cable internet. The service is OK (though somewhat slower than the Comcast I used to have in the Bay Area). Also, the system has been down about 4 times in the last 10 months, and in some cases it took 3 days to come back up (both the internet cable and the TV cable). Just thought I would mention.

Hello. Go Kings! If I sign up with an ISP for DSL, Can I just plug the DSL modem into my ThinkPad & a standard telephone jack (hotels, travel, etc;).

[2901bruce]

I bought a PowerDVD5 CD on eBay for around $5 shipped, after trying dozens of freeware none of which worked very well. I think spending $5 for good software is worth it.

Thanks

Hi Pianowizard. I just bought PowerDVD6 off Ebay for about $7.00.
Thanks

[tfflivemb2]

If I sign up with an ISP for DSL, Can I just plug the DSL modem into my ThinkPad & a standard telephone jack (hotels, travel, etc;).

No, you can't. Unlike a dialup service, DSL can only be used on a line that has been set up for DSL....same with cable. For example, if you have DSL and your neighbor doesn't, you can't go next door and use their phoneline to connect to your DSL.

Now, you CAN use the highspeed in hotels that offer highspeed. Generally nowadays, it is wireless, but if not, they might have the lines for you to connect to their LAN connection for highspeed. This doesn't require you to have DSL/Cable at home.

[2901bruce]

If I sign up with an ISP for DSL, Can I just plug the DSL modem into my ThinkPad & a standard telephone jack (hotels, travel, etc;).

No, you can't. Unlike a dialup service, DSL can only be used on a line that has been set up for DSL....same with cable. For example, if you have DSL and your neighbor doesn't, you can't go next door and use their phoneline to connect to your DSL.

Now, you CAN use the highspeed in hotels that offer highspeed. Generally nowadays, it is wireless, but if not, they might have the lines for you to connect to their LAN connection for highspeed. This doesn't require you to have DSL/Cable at home.

Thanks. Then what is the fastest ISP dial-up available ??

[JaneL]

Then what is the fastest ISP dial-up available ??

That's really like asking "how high is up?", you know.

Dial-up speeds vary wildly on the same ISP based on things like the phone cord to the wall, the phone jack, the cable in the ground or overhead, whether or not you're on a SLIC, the weather, etc.

I'm on a cable modem at home, but my backup dial-up ISP is Earthlink. I can get anywhere from 9.6 to 56k in the same location let alone from different locations. My work-supplied dial-up is no different.

[2901bruce]

Then what is the fastest ISP dial-up available ??

That's really like asking "how high is up?", you know.

Dial-up speeds vary wildly on the same ISP based on things like the phone cord to the wall, the phone jack, the cable in the ground or overhead, whether or not you're on a SLIC, the weather, etc.

I'm on a cable modem at home, but my backup dial-up ISP is Earthlink. I can get anywhere from 9.6 to 56k in the same location let alone from different locations. My work-supplied dial-up is no different.

Thanks, nonny! I think I'm going with The Netzero HiSpeed 3G dial-up internet at $9.95 per month (12 month committment).

[tfflivemb2]

I have been averaging 53Kbps with People PC, as a back up to my 3Mbps cable internet.

By the way, your profile is coming up as "User with bad email address, PLEASE fix!". This means that your emails are bouncing back to Bill/the forum. You need to check your email address on file and then send a message to an admin, so that they can correct your profile.

[2901bruce]

I have been averaging 53Kbps with People PC, as a back up to my 3Mbps cable internet.

By the way, your profile is coming up as "User with bad email address, PLEASE fix!". This means that your emails are bouncing back to Bill/the forum. You need to check your email address on file and then send a message to an admin, so that they can correct your profile.

Thanks. I checked my e-mail address in the profile & it is correct.