BOOT CAMP 423 (09/05/06)

TRAVELLING WITH A LAPTOP, part 2

Windows XP and Wi-Fi are the best things to have happened to mobile computing in a very long time but even with the latest kit connecting a laptop to the Internet when you are on the road can be a challenge.

The first hurdle is to find an Access Point. For the purposes of this article that means a public Wi-Fi ‘Hotspot’ but it could just as easily be a telephone or network socket in your hotel room or office or even a data connection with a mobile phone.

Most Hotspots, in airports, hotels and cafés are well signposted but don’t leave it until the last minute to find one. Check the locations you will be visiting before you leave -- see this week’s Top Tip.

Even when you find one you can’t rely on there being someone who knows what they are talking about on hand to help out if you have problem, so get to know your PC’s wireless configuration program before you leave.

On Windows XP laptops with Wi-Fi built-in it’s usually pre-installed though some models rely on the XP Wireless Network Connection utility, which is generally reliable and easy to use.

Laptops with plug-in adaptors (PC cards or USB ‘dongles’ etc.) come with their own configuration program. If you’ve used yours successfully, fine, but they can conflict with the Windows Wi-Fi software.

If you’ve had problems make sure there are no programs left over from Wi-Fi adaptors you no longer use and try disabling any third-party configuration programs. They normally show up on the Startup list (type ‘msconfig’ in Run on the Start menu); uncheck and reboot and this will force XP to manage the connection.

To open the Windows XP wireless configuration utility (and most other programs) double-click (or right-click) the wireless connection icon that appears in the System Tray, next to the clock.

The main item of interest is the ‘Survey’, ‘Monitor’ or ‘View Networks’ window, which displays the name or SSID of the wireless networks in the area, showing signal strength and whether or not they are encrypted.

If you have been using your laptop with an encrypted or ‘WEP’ enabled network save time and switch it off before you leave. If left on it may prevent your PC from making a connection. You should find this on one of the configuration utility’s tabs. If you are using the Windows XP utility, from the View/Choose Wireless Network window click ‘Change Advanced Setting’, select the ‘Wireless Networks’ tab, highlight the connection, click Properties, select the Association tab and choose ‘Disabled’ from the Data Encryption drop-down menu. You should familiarise yourself with this procedure as some Hotspots use WEP encryption and you may be required to enter a new code.

Unfortunately many Hotspots do not have a resident expert on duty and it’s not unknown for the system to have crashed, or been switched off, without the staff knowing anything about it, or how to rectify the problem. One quick and simple way to check if a wireless access point is operational, without booting up your PC, is to use a gadget called a Wi-Fi ‘Finder’. These are key ring-sized Wi-Fi receivers and basic models sell online for less than £20 so buy one before you go.

Wi-Fi Finders usually have a row of LEDs that light up when you are in range of a Wi-Fi signal. The number of lights gives a relative indication of signal strength, but be warned; some cheap Wi-Fi finders can give misleading readings as they may pick up transmissions from other wireless devices in the vicinity. Upmarket models tend to be more discriminating; some of them have an LCD that shows the name of the Hotspot, whether or not the link is encrypted and the channels being used.

Here’s one last tip for before you set out. Windows occasionally locks onto and won’t release a previous network setting. Windows 98 had an excellent little tool for resetting a troublesome network configuration, called ‘winipcfg’. For some reason this was dropped from XP but you can download the Windows 2000 version, called Wntipcfg, which works with XP, from Microsoft. The download page has details of how to use it.

Having found your Hotspot and established that is working, check the instructions to see if there are any special steps you need to take before you can log on. Boot up your PC and using your preferred wireless configuration utility attempt to make a connection.

You can tell straight away if it is working by opening a browser window. You’ll either see your home page, or the Hotspot’s logon page.

If it doesn’t work there are a number of things you can try but first try rebooting Windows. You would be surprised how often XP will suddenly decide to allow a connection after the second or third reboot. If that doesn’t work try switching off your Firewall and/or antivirus program if it has Internet monitoring facilities. Still no luck? If the configuration utility is showing good signal strength but no connection double-check that you have disabled WEP encryption. Try also the Wntipcfg tool to release and renew your Wi-Fi adaptor’s IP address. Failing that there’s always the Hotspot’s own helpline, and I have to say that on the occasions I have used them, they have proved to be genuinely helpful.

NEXT WEEK -

JARGON FILTER

DONGLE

Any small device that plugs into a PC’s USB port but originally a type of electronic key for unlocking a program that ‘dangled’ on the end of short wire

SSID

Service Set Identifier – code attached to wireless data that acts as a password and prevents interference and interception from other nearby networks

WEP

Wired Equivalent Privacy; family of encryption systems used to secure data on wireless networks, theoretically providing the same level of security as a cabled network connection

TOP TIP

The best place to look for Wi-FI hotspots is on the web and several sites, including wififreespot and free-hotspot specialise in places that offer free or very low cost connections (you may have to buy something to get the free time). Otherwise try myhotspots for a comprehensive list of UK hotspots, and wi-fihotspotlist and jwire for worldwide directories.

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© R. Maybury 2006, 0305