You know what. I do frequent their Great little Chinese place.  Believe it or not I'm kinda shy to ask. I like that idea though. I'm gonna have to try.

 Thanks Uvah 

Just a heads up, I can access the wifi signal from the store behind my house. It adjoins my backyard, so it's close. But it is an extremely slow connection.

Just saying, I would suspect the same in your restaurant's case. Maybe not.

also, a secure network will not be accessible without the passwords

gmc2...

Anna,

You don't have a wireless service provider (ISP) in your area that could hook you up?  Of course, it would require a monthly fee though.

I see the board is borked again....

Who are you getting the WiFi from and what "parts" did someone sell you?

Greetings yrag, I'm getting the WiFi connection from the Motel I'm living at. I am now in my suite on someone's laptop that was lent to me over the holidays. That's Real Nice.    But I digress, I bought the D-Link, Xtreme N Dual Bnd USB Adapter for $50.00. I phoned them and they will take it back, and to bring my pc and they'd have a look at it. At this point I'm thinking my pc is borked.... hehe

I have a Windows 7 home edition. 1.5 year old. I also phoned where I purchased the pc to double verify that I indeed have a WiFi card in my tower, and this one says I might not and to bring it in. That's so not happening. Sayonara       I don't know what a WiFi card  looks like so I can't just verify it myself. Can't find it on the pc.

I won't be going to the city till friday.   So that's where I'm at so far.

  Can you take a picture of the back of your computer and post it here?

If you have no card or if the on board one is disabled: Install the software that came with the adapter you bought. Plug in the adapter. Scan for connections. Connect to the same one the laptop is connected to using the password they gave you. Done.

What is the model number on your tower?

Hi Wizard1956, I can't put a pic up because this isn't my pc. You know Murphy's Law....   But, I did with the adapter do exactlly as you said. It was still a no go. This laptop is working fine..... Sheesh

Hi RedneckDude, I'm wondering where I would find the number. There are 4 different sets of numbers on the back of the tower. 2 sets confirm Microsft  was purchased.      Except maybe the product key? or 1 set of random numbers. Not sure which you want?  Or maybe it's inside the tower?  Just let me know.

Thank-you

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833195007&Tpk=wifi%20card%20pci

http://www.bonafidereviews.com/review-of-siig-wireless-n-pci-adapter/

That's all you need. You can buy one at any PC store, Best Buy, Staples, etc.

Ordered today.  This is turning out to be a really nice Thanksgiving.   And have I mentioned a thank-you?

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone 

It would say something like HP Pavillion and a number, or something like that. 

If she has an open PCI slot on that HP. Chances are, it has a modem in the one slot it has.  I was basing my advice on the fact she may not be comfortable working inside her rig. On the other hand, anyone can plug in a USB device, and it can be used on any computer she may want to hook up.

Also, as I pointed out, an onboard card may require her to move the PC to a better spot to get a good signal.

 Either way, if she can't connect with a USB adapter, an onboard isn't  isn't going to be any better or easier.

I was thinking it was a wireless adapter pc card?    2 different things aren't they.  And yes, I am comfortable working in my pc. I've installed cards before, and added usb ports.

id="3008301"] something like HP Pavillion and a number[/quote]

Uhm nope. I don't have one of those. It's a Certified Data brand without numbers.  Unless it's inside. ?

{Dunno what happened with the quotes... or how I got in there.}haha