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accessing internet at resort?

M

mbeach89

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Ok, so I'm not the most computer savvy person around. How the heck does one access the internet when at their resort? I don't even know what WiFi means! LOL.

I have an older laptop (~6 yrs old) that I plan on bringing on vacation this year, and would like to be able to use it at the resort.

I believe it has Windows XP and imagine I have to set up a different type of internet connection on it other than how it was set up through my home internet provider.

Thanks for any help! Mark
 
Most folks utilize WiFi, a short range wireless network connection to access the internet these days. Many resorts offer this for free, some as a charge...it depends on the resort, but you need to have your computer setup for this and working prior to arriving at a resort.

Before Wifi, ethernet cables (computer network cable) began appearing at hotels and resorts where you'd plug the cable into your laptop if it's equipped and you would be teathered by the cable. Some resorts still have these.

Before ethernet was popular, most of us used dial-up modems with our laptops and called a network (AOL, Netzero...) and connected at a relatively slow speed by today's standards. Most resorts still have a jack on the side of the phone to accomodate this connection. Phone charges however can be steep at resorts, even calling toll-free #'s so check ahead of time if you go this route.

I have a nifty Palm Treo cell phone which effectively is a tiny computer from which I can surf the web in a somewhat limited fashion & send and receive e-mail. It came with a very spiffy cable which connects my laptop to the phone which then doubles as a broadband connection to the internet, and frankly this is how I most often connect these days when I'm on the road.

If you have a 6 y/o machine, you are probably limited to dial-up &/or a hard ethernet connection as a practical matter.
 
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If your laptop doesn't have an ethernet plug, but has an empty PCMIA slot you can purchase an ethernet card for the slot. Then you need to set up the wireless software for the card. You will only be able to use the wireless if it's available at the resort. Often it's free, but some still charge upwards of $40 per week to use it. You need to call the resort and ask them about availability. Good luck.

==============================

Yes. Sorry. An ethernet card is different from a wireless card. I meant to say the latter. However, some resorts do have an Ethernet cable available in the room for direct connection to your computer. In this case, my advise still holds if you don't have an Ethernet port due to age.
 
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Marriott

From Marriott's description of this resort:

High-speed Internet access
Public Areas
Wireless
 
My experience at one resort and several hotels suggests that there is no good answer anyone here can give you. Each has a different procedure, partly based on using a different host, so I'd advise you to follow the instructions in the unit very carefully. If you have problems, call the toll-free number and ask your questions.

Don't feel that you are stupid because you must ask questions. When I called and asked my questions, I got very good answers. Then I'd ask why that step wasn't in the written instructions in the unit. The answer was something to the effect that it should be, was I sure it wasn't? :D

HTH
 
Their website shows they only provide wireless internet.

Assuming you do not have wireless on your laptop (because of the age) and that you do have a USB port, you can buy this. You will need to install software for it but it should be fairly easy.

If you really don't know how to do any of this you can take your laptop to best buy and plop it on the counter and tell the geek squad you need to access wireless internet at a resort and they should show you what you need and install it for you.

Have fun.
 
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To use WiFi, your computer has to support wireless which I doubt it does due its age. Ethernet card has nothing to do with wireless. Ethernet is a communications protocol. You almost certainly have an Ethernet card as it is required for a wired connection. The good news is you can purchase a wireless adapter for your laptop at a very reasonable price. That will give you the ability to use any wireless connection which is very prevalent at most hotels and resorts. Three years ago, I purchased a wireless adapter and router for my son's laptop so he could use it anywhere in his house. It cost about $79 for both the adapter and router at Best Buy. You only need the adapter so should be less than $20.00.

I have a combined wired/wireless local network in my house with 5 computers on the LAN.
 
hahaha, that's an old laptop. Do you need a hand crank to start it? :D

You can buy something like this, and try it out before you leave. You will have to install the drivers. I'm assuming you have USB ports on that old laptop from the 1950s. (in internet time).

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833166023

Marriott's often have wired ethernet in the rooms. If they have wired ethernet in the rooms, you don't need anything. (Well, I always carry an ethernet cable with me, but they usually have them in the rooms.)

-David
 
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With resorts that you must purchase WiFi, if you have 2 laptops do you have to pay for each to use the WiFi? I know at Orange Lake we were both able to get online but the connection was free..
 
It depends. If they give you a temporary username/password or access code to access the internet sign on page with, then you may be able to get away with it, at least one laptop at a time. We used that method at the Boracay Regency when we were there. (At that resort, we purchased the access codes at the business center.)

-David
 
Better yet, don't spend $40-60 trying to upgrade a 7 year old computer. Buy a new netbook for under $250 which will be at least 10x more powerful than your existing LT with wireless built in and ready to go.
 
mbeach89 said:
I bought a Linksys Compact Wireless-G USB Network Adapter with Speedbooster at Walmart....will this do the trick?

View attachment 674
Click to expand...

Yes, it should do fine. You can boost the range of the atenna by sticking the dongle into the center of a stainless steel sieve.
 
mbeach89 said:
I bought a Linksys Compact Wireless-G USB Network Adapter with Speedbooster at Walmart....will this do the trick?

View attachment 674
Click to expand...

Load the software that came with it (if any). Try it at a nearby coffee shop or McDonalds. Or park outside a local lodging that advertises 'Free internet'. You should be able to 'see' wireless networks and hopefully select from a list of them. You'll know then if it'll 'do the trick', or if you have something to take back before you lug your laptop on vacation.

Jim Ricks
 
For those interested, I just spoke with "Earl" at Marriott OceanWatch (Myrtle Beach) and he stated they use what is called WAYPORT for their Wireless Internet.

Something called a "Bridge" is also available on a first come/first served basis (since they only have a limited amount). This is for people like me with older laptops. He described it as a "box" that I plug my laptop into for a "wired" connection.

I also went to the WAYPORT website and found specific directions on how to connect. I'm not sure if WAYPORT is used by all Marriott's or just at MOW.

Here is a link for connecting to the WAYPORT system for those interested.

http://www.wayport.com/Print.aspx?id=500&hid=502
 
Save yourself the hassle - leave the laptop at home and enjoy your holiday.
 
We have not had a computer to travel with, so we always went to the local public library and used their computers. Some charge a nominal fee, while others are free. We rarely had to wait. I just bought myself a Samsung mini notebook for $450 with tax and shipping to solve this problem. It is 2.8 pounds, so it will be easy to travel with. Saturday will be my first adventure with it!
 
wayport is one of the providers of hotel internet services. They aren't very good, but it usually works. t-mobile, for example, does wireless for Hyatt, and they are much better, and if you have a t-mobile wireless account, you can connect using your existing account.

-David
 
reply to david

David- How did u like the Boracay Regency? Last time I stayed at the Pearl of the Pacific further down on Station 1 and I enjoyed it very much. It was much more secluded and only a tricycle ride to the mall. Supposedly the Regency is the highest star hotel there but I wasnt that impressed even though I ate dinner there twice. I thought the food at the cafe was good given the price but the rooms looked small and cramped. Of course, I did upgrade at the Pearl to a beach front condo.
 
It was very nice, and yeah, the rooms weren't huge, but we got a standard room there. Remember, we were at a dump first, and the Regency is considered one of the nicer places on that side. We were really happy to not be in that dump even though I pre-paid it. I think the really fancy places are on the other side of the island, but we didn't get to that side.

You are right, the Regency is huge. Our rate included breakfast buffets there, which were served in a couple of different restaurants on the property. We really enjoyed eating out at their outdoor seafood grill restaurant on the beach. We wanted to eat there again on the last night, but it got rained out.

There are lots of small places there that look nice, but it's hard to figure out ahead of time which ones are nice and which ones aren't.

-David
 
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I have used my laptop at places with wi-fi but in September we are going to a resort that say they have High Speed Internet. What do I need to have to connect this way.
 
Hophop4 said:
I have used my laptop at places with wi-fi but in September we are going to a resort that say they have High Speed Internet. What do I need to have to connect this way.
Click to expand...

You need to contact them and find out what they have. "High Speed Internet" is a generic term that could be DSL, WiFi, Cable, etc. What you need to find out is if it is a wired or wireless connection. If it is wireless then your laptop will have to support wireless which yours does, if it is wired, then you will need an ethernet cable if they don't have one. Usually the hotel will have the cable if it is wired.
 
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