Hi, WTT!

I would like for someone to help me out with this HP Laptop. The system is Microsoft Windows XP Professional Version 2002 Service Pack 2. The computer is Intel®Pentium®M processor, 1600MHz 221 MHz, 512 MB of RAM. This is my first time having one of these. I was giving this laptop by someone who tried to rebuild it. I can plug it up to my phone line and sign on through dial up. It sometimes shows there are wireless connections but most of the says they are secured. But ocassionally I get one that says unsecured. I only tried to connect at the library or at the coffee shop. (LOL) Any suggestions, please?

Your help will greatly be appreciated as I'm wanting to use this laptop w/ my scanner to do clerk work for the county.

Thanks,
Denise

Hi Denise.

You mentioned in one of your post that your daughter has the same one and it works fine. Are both laptops configured to obtain there IP's via automaticily via DHCP?
Also are you both trying to use the same network, are you both in the same location and on both systems you can see the same un secured network.
the libaray or coffee shop.
The dial-up and wireless network are really two seperate networks and don't effect each other. So even though you can dialin and connect to the internet, doesn't really mean that the wireless is configured properly.

One point though is you shouldn't attempt to connect to a network that isn't a puplic access point, The library and coffee shop are fine, but as far as the coffee shop goes sometimes they will charge for you to use the hotspot. But your not even getting to that point yet.

So for starters just let us know answers to the couple of questions I asked, are both trying to connect from the same place and to the same network. and are both configured the same.

Best regards
Tonka

Hi, Tonka!

Can you please explain to me what "DHCP" is? I can't answer whether or not both laptops are configured to obtain there IP's via automatically via "DHCP" as I'm not sure what "DHCP" is. As it stand now we both live in different homes and we both aren't trying to sign on at the same time. Sometimes I pick her up and we both goes to the public library or one of the local coffee shop(Caribou). Only she is able to get online at those places. I've never been able to get online at those places whether she's with me or not. I only uses it as dial up at my home now. Yes, I'm aware that dial up and wireless networks are two separate networks that doesn't affect each other. I just believe my laptop isn't configured properly. Yet, I don't know how to set the proper configuration for it. That's why I contact WTT to see if someone can help we with the configuration or find out what's really wrong with this laptop. Your help will greatly be appreciated.

Patiently awaiting a miracle,
Denise

Hi, Tonka!

I'm not sure what her laptop configuration is. Can you tell me what command I need to check that so I can call her and get her to tell me what her configuration is.

Thanks,
Denise

DHCP = Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol
Fancy term but mostly what you want to be sure of is that your wireless is set to obtain it's IP address is auto assigned.

I'm not sure I can walk you thru every thing. But will give it a shot.

Goto Start > settings > and then click "network seetings" the network setting wondow should come up.

You should have at least 2 and maybe more devices. What your looking for is the wireless network connection.
If you right click you get a pull down of menus choose status. Under the general tab check and see that the device is enabled.
Also goto the support tab and note the connection status.

Post back on what the state of those were and we'll try and take it from there.

Tonka

Hi, tonka001!
I apologize for taking so long to get back w/ you. I had relocated to a different city and didn't have internet access nor a phone line due to my former company not offering service at my new address. Now I'm back up and running w/ my desktop. I will check the laptop on tomorrow as it seems to fully need charging.

Sincerely,
Denise

Good morning, WTT team members!

Sorry it has taken me this long to respond back to you as i have been having more issues w/ my laptop. It seems to have either had a power surge issue from an electrical shortage where it will just attempt to power on then it powers right back off in a matter of 10 0r 15 seconds or so or the fan maybe gone out. It won't even boot up to the password option to allow it to boot completely up. Do anyone have any suggestions what might be the problem now or how to fix the current issue? Your help will be greatly appreciated!

Sincerely wishing for a miracle,
Denise

Hi, Sorry to hear of the problem with the laptop.
Try this after making sure your computer is completely shut down and switched off (not in standby/Hibernate/sleep)
1 Remove any connections from the laptop...printers scanners USB key or peripherals etc
2 Disconnect from your network (pull out the plug on your ADSL Line connector, or your cable to Modem/router etc
3 Remove your laptops' battery
4 Connect your machine's usual mains wire connector through the voltage transformer( power supply) as necessary.
5 Now see if your machine will start up
6 Finally check all grills for accumulations of dust especially around the fan area...use a vacum cleaner nozzle(plastic) but don't apply a stong degree of "suck" a relatively mild one will do! the idea is to gently remove any dust or fluff that may be causing the machine to overheat and cut out.
See how you go.
Regards
paws