Can't get on the internet wirelessly

[will]

I bought a Vostro 1500 from Dell (laptop) in April and I can't get it to get on the internet wirelessly. It detects the wireless network for example McDonalds but when I hit the browser (IE) or Firefox it doesn't go online.
I thought new laptops all have the ability now from the factory to do this?
I should mention that I am a newbie at wireless internetting. I am somewhat of a computer geek (I even toiled self study for my A+ certificate, which by the way doesn't mean much in my case..LOL.)
I have Vista. I know where to go to connect to wireless networks, but nothing from there. I see all the unsecured and secured networks everywhere I go.
It might be a couple days before I can get back to this forum, my economy has recently gotten bad and I need to go to this public library for a while.
Thanks, Will

[_Aerospace_Eng_]

Did you set up the network yourself? Does it have a password? It doesn't just connect automatically. You have to select what network to connect to and hit Connect. If it has a password you need to know the security type and the key.

[effpeetee]

Some Dell laptops (maybe all) have a key switch to control the wireless. On my Dell laptop, (Inspiron 6400) it is function key Fn ( bottom left of keyboard) and function key F2 (top row) pressed simultaneously.

I also have an indicator light in the top of the keyboard for this. The symbol is a small padlock with a down arrow on it.

Hope this helps. I had this problem with mine at first until I found the secret!

Frank

[will]

Thanks you guys.
I am only going to try to get on the unsecured wireless networks like McDonalds and motels and just places in general that have unsecured (free) wireless networks.
I hadn't planned on looking for unsecured networks to mooch off of, well not that I'd admit to anyway! Hey if somebody happened to have an unsecured internet wireless network handy by god I'm gonna cabbage onto it.
I think I know what indicator light you're referring to and that switch, they are together on the side of mine. I suspect the problem is in there somewhere too.
I'll write that down here fn and f2 pressed simultaneously.

To answer aero's question, no I don't have a network or a password. I am trying to get on the unsecured networks at say McDonalds or Barnes and Noble for instance.
I live in a mobile home park, it is somewhat astonishing how many homes in range have wireless internet access.
I can see (connect to) the unsecured networks but when I hit the browser.. nothing, is the problem I think. But, as far as highlighting the unsecured network and connecting, it is doing that. I don't want a secured wireless network that requires a password.
Thanks, Will

[_Aerospace_Eng_]

If you get caught connecting to a private wireless network its a felony in the US.

[effpeetee]

If you get caught connecting to a private wireless network its a felony in the US.
It's not exactly popular in the UK either.

Frank

[oracleguy]

Also just because it isn't using encryption, there are other ways to restrict access like mac address filtering which could explain why an unsecure wireless network doesn't actually work.

[borntoslow]

If you are talking about McDonalds free Wi-Fi hot spots etc. The problem will not lie with encrytion \ MAC filtering.

Lets try get to the root...correct me where i am wrong in this chain.

1) You are opening Dells (windows) Wireless network connections wizard.
2) You are using the refresh network button on the side.
3) You now see a list of secured / unsecured netowrks that are in range along with there siginal strengh.
4) you are selecting the connection you want to make.
5)?????? what error \ notice are you getting? when you try to connect

[will]

I hadn't ever planned on trying to figure out somebody's secured (private) wireless internet password, I'm not a choad like that I don't suppose.
I'm thinking more along the line of that at&t commercial where the guy is sitting on the top of a step ladder to get a wireless internet signal from a neighbor, except from public establishments.
The only problem that I have kinda on your list is #4 but it never displays an error message, it just has the usual "could not connect to the server" or what that usual page says when there is no internet.
I really don't think its anything too complicated, maybe just something as a wireless newb that I am overlooking. It sure would be nice to have right now as I am without internet at home currently.
On my laptop I just hit start> connect to> and go from there is how I am trying to connect.

[borntoslow]

Another quick question then. Have you connected your laptop to any other wireless \ wired networks?

[will]

No wireless, but for a couple of months it was connected to Road Runner hi-speed right before the intro rate went up $10 a month.
Oops sorry, I think it was #5 on your list not #4.
When I said "not that I'd admit to" I was referring to unsecured (public) wireless networks. I guess I'd feel funny because personally I think even cabbaging onto McDonalds or especially a neighbors unsecured wireless network is a bit cheesy perhaps.
But, the keyword here for me, has always been unsecured.
Oh well, desperate times call for desperate measures I suppose!
In the mean-time I will have to do this library thing until I get this SOB figured out.
Will

[_Aerospace_Eng_]

This might help

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/928429

Print it out at the library or memorize it. Your choice.

[will]

I see. They say Vista isn't compatible with the wireless networks and steps have to be taken to make it compatible. Anyhow if thats what I'm reading that stinks pretty good.
That could very well be why my wireless don't work, but unfortunately it looks like some closer study might be in order so I'm a little discouraged.
Oh well, I have some time I suppose!
Thanks, Will

[_Aerospace_Eng_]

Thats not what they said. This is what they said
The software that you were using together with Windows XP to connect to wireless networks is incompatible with Windows Vista. Alternatively, you can use Windows Vista to configure the wireless networks.

Its saying the wireless connection manager you may have used on XP may not work with Vista but Vista can be used to manage wireless connections. Here is a more detailed explanation of how to connect to a wireless network.

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb878035.aspx

[borntoslow]

Did we get any further with this?

The only vista compatability issues are with the routers themselfs nothing to do with wirless conectivity. So maybe "mcdonalds" uses a router that is not vista compat?

I suggest u duel boot of XP, find out the router being used? or go ask. lol

[will]

Thanks,
I appreciate the help you guys have given me on this.
Yeah, I would hope that Vista has some kind of backwards compatibility to connect to the free wireless networks. I have asked the manager guy at McDonalds, I think all the employees thought I was gonna complain about the secret sauce or something, all the employees came up to the counter and I think they were going to jump me if I said something nasty, one doesn't get any help from the staff of a McDonalds unfortunately, and its probably the same way at most of those "free wireless" places. I don't want to demean employees of a McDonalds (hey, at least they have a job), but I don't think they are a computer savvy lot.
I'm not able to get on the internet on any unsecured networks.
Will

[_Aerospace_Eng_]

Did you follow the tutorials I've given you? If you can't connect after following those tutorials then bring in a friend who is more tech savvy or take it to a computer person like Geek Squad or whatever place you bought the laptop from and have them show you.