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You are here: Experts > Computing/Technology > Understanding Computers > Internet for Beginners > Wireless Internet
Expert: Scottgem
Date: 4/27/2008
Subject: Wireless Internet
Question
QUESTION: Hi,
I live in a small country town that has very little wireless internet access...one must be within the town itself to get access. However, I recently discovered that from my home in the sticks (which does not currently have ANY internet access) I can connect to a wireless connection with the word WIRE in the SSID. The problem is that although I am connected, I am unable to actually access the internet. My two blue computers on my taskbar are lit up, but the little world that comes in front when I'm on the internet isn't there when I try to get on using this wireless connection. For my birthday, my grandmother wanted to get me a signal booster so that I would be better able to access the internet from home...I only have one bar of signal no matter where I go in my home for this particular connection. Today, I bought a wireless router at Wal*Mart as I was told that I could use it to boost the signal. However, I plugged it in and tried using it when I got home, but I STILL cannot connect to the internet. I have been told by a technician that I would need a working modem to make it boost using a router, but then the Wal*Mart representative told me that using a different router would make it work. Is there something I'm doing wrong? How can I get it to boost the signal with a router without a modem? Thank you ahead of time.
ANSWER: First, you need to find out where that SSID is coming from. Its probably someone's private, secured network. If so, you are breaking the law by trying to piggyback on it.
Second, you are saying your town has little wireless access. What about wired access? Do you have cable TV or Can you get DSL coverage?
Hope this helps
Scott<>
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: We can get DSL coverage. I have looked into finding out where the SSID is coming from and the technician I asked about it said that it was like a public wire through my neighborhood...
Answer
While it might be public it may still be restricted. There are municipalities that provide free WiFi to residents, but that's rare.
If you want Internet access, you generally have to subscribe to a broadband service like DSL or cable.
Hope this helps
Scott<>
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