Networking for Notebook Newbies

I have never networked computers before. This will be the first. I tried out my wireless feature on my new HP at a place where I knew they had a wireless setup. My HP found it and seem to connect. I received an excellent signal. However, I needed a key to access it(?). Is this normal?

As for home, I do not have DSL. Will I still be able to do a wireless network through dialup with the desktop and notebook? If so, what type of router and other 'stuff' to get to do this? I am not sure if my desktop has a network card or not. Can someone tell me how to find out for sure? I would say not because it is over two years old and I never thought I would have a need to network.

Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.



Thank you in advance.

 

The "Key" that you mentioned, is the encryption code that will allow you to gain access to their network. Without this key, you will not be able to acccess it.

You can run the Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) setup in XP and have someone connect to the internet, but both systems have to be on. System A is connected via dial-up, System B connect to system A via wireless & ICS to share access to the internet. This will be VERY slow and is not really recommended. Usually, highspeed internet is the recommended choice. That way, you only need a wireless braodband router and a wireless notebook, the proper setup and you're done.

If you don't have a network card in your desktop, that gets a bit more difficult. You can check the back of your desktop and see if it has a network jack. It looks like a phone jack, but wider/bigger. If not, you could alsways get yourself a USB wireless adapter and get yourself setup that way. But to be honest, it's not worth the trouble, the speeds you will get, plus having 2 systems on is just a pain in the you know what.

-Vb-