ISP Choice

Original Question: (OP Post1)
1) how do i know if my laptop can do wireless internet?
2) what kind of internet service do i want? what is the difference between them?

Response1
Be sure to read all of it though.....

Was the computer bought in the last three years? Five years?
5 years, chances are about 50/50 you have it.
3 years you are up to about 90%

START...Connect to... Does "Built-in wireless" show up?
If not
START...Control Panel...Network Connections... Is there anything saying wireless here?
If not (chances are getting slim)
START...Control Panel...Look for Network Setup Wizard

Your ISP choices are broad (no pun intended).
Your probably want to surf, surf fast, and occasionally watch a you-tube video.

The lowest cost 'hi-speed' plan will be fine for you.

On TV recently Verizon is boasting about a 14.95 DSL plan, do you have a landline? If you have Verizon, see if that deal is there. If you have ATT (Southwestern Bell, SBC, Ameritech, or whatever name that are using now) Check out Yahoo-ATT plans. Three years ago I had them down to about 17 dollars in Fulton, MO.

If you do not have a landline, then do you have cable TV? (if you have both I will comment on that later) Cable TV offers "hi speed" as well, you can probably go to Circuit city buy a cable modem plug it in, call the cable company and have them turn it on.

If you don't have either landline or cable TV, (or in our case DSL nor Cable come out here) you have Satellite, or EVDO as your option. Both run about $60/month. Verizon and Sprint have EVDO. I think 'Dish' has a plan, but cant remember if it is directly through them or not. We have Sprint EVDO, so when we go on vacation, ha, like we can do that. I digress. We can pop out the EVDO card and plug it into the PC computer and be on the internet on the highway near cities.

If you have both Cable and Telephone service, think about where you want these 'blinking light doodads'. Do you want them in your living room or bedroom (where your cable outlets are), or do you want to stash them away in your guest room, or behind a chair in the corner. Phone cords are easier to hide than cable cords are more flexible. Do you have more than one phone in the house? If you get DSL (the phone plan) you will have to attach filters to all of the phones in the house. Cable Internet does have a history of going on the blink every once in a while, but not too often.


OP Post2
holy.... way above me. i got my lap top in vet school... probably between 2nd and 3rd year? when i turn it on, it doesn't say built in wireless. it does saying that it's search for a connection (I'll check tonight to see if it's searching for a wireless connection but i don't think so...). i do have an AT&T landline. this seriously might have to turn into an on the spot eval/consult!

Response 2:
No it is not above you, just START...Control Panel...Network Connections...Is there anything saying "wireless" here?

Okay. So you don't have to have wireless to have DSL. You will just be tethered to the modem in the 'office', but you can get a 50foot cord and work on the couch, still tethered.

It looks like DSL is available in your area. Get the STANDARD PLAN for 19.95/month. You can order it online, http://www.usa.att.com/dsl/check_avail.jsp?index=8082, they will mail you a package, you plug it in, plug the filters into your other phones, and off you go.

We can talk about security and other features as you feel more comfortable.


OP Post3
can't he just come down and do all this crap for me??? i don't understand anything to do with computers!!!

Response3
Out of area service calls require all expense paid round trip, leaving Friday after 6PM returning no later than Monday 10AM arrival. For sunnier warmer climates, service charge includes a travel partner, and subsequently a house sitter for the critters. :)
When would you like to schedule this service call?