Urgent Wifi Help Needed!

[Guest paulietheboy]

I hope I'm in the right place.

I have recently got hold of an (Orange) SPV m500 that I like very much. Previously owned a C500 which I like very much too.

I bought a Safecom SDIO card to enable me (hopefully) to hook up to wireless hotspots etc..I don't have a wireless network at home or at work, but wanted the capability for when I'm travelling or abroad or even just loafing in Starbucks or whatever to go online (for free!)

I loaded the software, installed the card and thought - here we go. The promised blue light has yet to appear. I get a flashing orange light sometimes. I do get messages saying this or that network is available, but when I try to connect either nothing happens or GPRS kicks in.

I'm probably doing something totally idiotic as I'm new to this - I haven't changed any settings anywhere. I just assumed that once a network became available, you'd click on the IE icon and off you go - no such luck! I sometimes get asked for a password(?) when certain networks become supposedly available - sometimes I don't. What am I doing wrong and how can I get it right? I find the SDLAN utilty rather confusing. Should/can I bypass the orange default stuff? Should I try another browser? What about security?

Some idiot proof beginner's advice would be hugely appreciated!

Edited March 28, 2006 by paulietheboy

[Guest fraser]

Wifi is complicated I'm afraid. The good news is that the phone isn't all that different to a normal PC on WiFi, so any of the into guides on the web to WiFi should give you a helping start on how it all works.

The password is to access the network, and the fact that it's asking you for that is a very good sign. Ones that don't ask for a password might give you access to the web, however there is a dozen things that could stop that working, and it's all down to the owner of the access point on what they will allow and how much of it's automatic. I'd say about half of the ones I stumble across (that are "open") actually will let you browse etc.

Pop along to starbucks or some other open WiFi site and try and get a connection there. Ask if they use encryption etc, they'll likely have a helpful leaflet or something.

Finally, if you fancy seeing what's actually going on; try vxIpConfig. That'll tell you the IP you have, e.g. 169.X.X.X is bad and means that it can't get a real IP.

[Guest paulietheboy]

Many thanks for that Fraser.

Oddly enough before reading your post, I went for a stroll around near work. Got plenty of network offers as it were and was on the verge of cracking it or so I thought in Cafe Nero, Paperchase when all the shop alarms went off - I thought at first it was me triggering some anti hacking alarm!

Managed to get on to a T Mobile hotspot outside Starbucks 10 minutes up the road. Couldn't browse as it were (I guess you have to pay?) but at least it works I guess.

Obviously need help in what to do now, but will follow your advice. Many thanks.