Ask A Geek

Q: I live in a hotel that has a WIFI system. My computer connects at 54.0 mbps. The download speed ranges between 4 kbps to 48 kbps, depending on how many people are online at any given time. The system is connected to the internet via a DSL line with a max download speed of 1 mbps. The owner thinks the best way to increase the speed is to upgrade the WIFI system. I think getting a faster DSL line would be better. Who is correct?

Q: I am wondering if laptop parts can be used in desktop computers? I have a laptop that just broke but it is an issue with the power supply not with any of the components in the laptop itself. I want to know if I can take a lot of parts and use them in this old desktop that I have.

A: Most laptops today have the majority of their parts integrated into the motherboard with the exception of the DVD drive and the hard drive. The hard drive is smaller than a desktop hard drive so you would need to use something like this Startech BRACKET25 2.5″ to 3.5″ Hard Drive Adapter kit so that it could fit in your desktop computer. You would probably need a similar adaptor to get the DVD drive to work as well. Read the rest of this entry »

Q: I have an HP computer running Microsoft Windows XP. I have dial up Internet. I was wondering if it is possible to use the USB wireless cards in my computer for Internet access without a phone line? Is there any other equipment I would need to this? What type of equipment?

A: Your access to the Internet needs to come from an Internet Service Provider (ISP). If you want something faster than dial-up you’ll need to pay an ISP for a connection to their Internet service just like you would for cable or satellite TV. Read the rest of this entry »

Q: I originally had a Intel wireless card in my Dell D610 but it stopped working and the computer didn’t recognize it. So I pulled a Askey ar5bmb5 wireless card out of a Toshiba L25-S1194 and put it in my Dell . The computer doesn’t recognize the new card and it doesn’t show up in the device manager.

Before I installed the drivers the device manager had “Unknown Device: Ethernet Controller”. When I installed the drivers that message disappeared but cannot find the card anywhere. The wifi light comes on but it doesn’t work.

Can there be a problem with the drivers? if so can you help me find them? I’ve looked but all I found was on the Toshiba site. Could it be the connector because it had a problem with the old wireless card?

Q: My wifi network stinks. I want to hard wire the two machines instead. They are 60 feet apart. Can I do it w/cards and cat5 wire? Do I need a cable modem for each machine? What software?

Q: I have one computer that is connected to the internet and I want my other computer to be able to access the internet also. I have a wireless router but yet my computer will not pick up the signal. What can I do to have both computers internet accessible? How can I transfer all of my files and info from one comp to another?

Q: I have a Dell Inspiron 1520 with vista premium and my WiFi card isn’t working. When I try to refresh my available networks it doesn’t refresh it does nothing so I cannot connect to my home network please help!!

A: If you Press the Alt button while you double click on the Computer icon on your desktop you should have a window appear that has a link for the device manager. Click on the device manager and select your Network Adapter by double clicking your device.

Make sure that under the General tab that the device status shows it is working properly.

Next select the Driver tab and choose Update driver or visit the manufacturer of the card to see if there is a more current driver.

If a new driver does not help then I would suggest trying to delete the device and reinstall and see if that helps. If it does not we need the following information:

Who is the card manufacturer?

What driver version do you have? (This is all available through the Driver tab in the steps above.)

Has this card ever worked or is it new?

Does it show that it is properly working in the device manager?

Do you receive any error messages?

Did you uninstall and reinstall the device?

Q: I just bought a great new Dell Inspiron S531running Windows Vista and I love it. My issue is that I will be traveling around the country for a few months and still need to be able to update my blog. Bringing my desktop computer into Starbucks is not possible but at the same time since my desktop is so new I do not want to spend the money on getting a laptop. What other alternatives are there out there for us bloggers to be able to post while on the road?

A: I think that the real solution for you is a smart phone and we did a recent answer titled Handheld Or Smart Phone With Internet Browsing Ability that you will want to read after reading this. The reason it is not a complete answer to your question is that we were looking for solutions related to browsing internet not doing a lot of typing. Read the rest of this entry »

Q: I have Windows XP Home Edition on my desktop and my network is setup using a Linksys router with WiFi, but when I set it up I did not configure it to be secured. How can I correct this?

A: Having a secure WiFi network is a must! But without the exact model number of your Linksys hardware, it is impossible for me to give you a specific answer. See below for some general tips:

1. Visit Linksys.com. You should notice some tabs at the top of the webpage. Go Support -> Technical Support. You can the try: Ask Linksys (get an automated answer to your question based on the model number of your Linksys hardware), Live Chat (chat online with a Linksys representative), or download one of the EasyLink Home Networking Tools (programs that can help you to configure your Linksys hardware).
2. Is there a Linksys icon in the system tray (lower right where the clock is)? If so, right-click on it and see what options the Linksys software gives you. You also might want to go Start Menu -> All Programs and look for an icon having to do with your Linksys hardware.
3. Have you tried using any of the disks that came with your Linksys hardware?
4. Some Linksys hardware will allow you to configure the connection from within Internet Explorer (or other internet browser). Consult the documentation that came with your Linksys hardware for more information.

There are two popular types of wireless security, WEP and WPA.

1. The older and less secure of the two methods is WEP. Despite what the names suggest, WEP Shared is less secure than WEP Open. Variations of WEP include: WEP2, WEPplus, and Dynamic WEP.
2. The newer and more secure method of securing a WiFi network is WPA. Most hardware now supports WPA and/or WPA2, but some older hardware/software does not. I believe that WPA2 is currently the most secure option.

Good luck!