Laptop question

Make sure that your laptop has a modem and relevant software installed. Connect to phone point with appropriate cable, then you will probably have to re-configure your browser (IE or whatever) from never Dial a Connection to Always Dial my Default Connection. You will need to set up the dial number and other connection protocols. Most importantly ensure that your ISP provides you with a local number (based on regions) or a 1300 otherwise you will have to dial STD and that could become costly. Best and cheapest advice (realistically sepaking if you are not real sure and confident in what you are trying to do) - use Public Lbraries or Internet Cafes.

Your computer will most likely have a built in phone line modem. Set this up so that you dial into your ISP (internet supplier.) Many ISPs have this option for when your broadband is out of service - it should be an 019 number. If you can dial in from home on a 019 number then you can dial up from anywhere in Oz for the cost of a local call, anywhere you can get access to a phone line. Check with your ISP.

If you have a network connector on your machine then most cafes will hook you up to a cable for the same cost as using one of their machines.

PeterD

How often/much would you use the interent on the laptop??
If you only want to use it on the road for a few weeks holiday you could just go to internet cafes and hookinto thier system for around $4 hr or if you have a Next g mobile phone consider a Telstra casual data pack.......
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We use bigpond but thats 12mth contract and you have to buy the modem
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or you could go to vodafone if your not travelling outbac or off the main highways
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Get yourself a Bigpond Wireless account on Next G . then you won't need to hook it to slow old phone lines that will need you to include the number called from ,
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I researched this and concluded that since I had an ADSL2 contract at home and I only wanted mobile internet for about 8 weeks, it was not worth the $300 and 2 year contract for a USB next G modem .
I bought a Telstra 252 next G phone on a 2year contract for $30 per month and $49 for a carkit. the phone comes with "join me" software which converts it to a Next G modem for the laptop.
You can then buy data packs from Telstra when you need them, and they also have a special deal of 37.5 megs for $8 for the first 2 months.
The packs are then $59 for 200megs per month up to $ 179 for 2000megs.
I use dit quite a bit when we had no power for the last few days, and found it quick and accurate.
You can get a reading of how many megs are used at any time on the phone also, and it also appears on teh laptop in the Join me software.
Prefer this to Macdonalds as you cannot use your mail program at Maccas, only webmail.
Regards Philip A

I just drive around and break into someone's unsecured wireless network :-)))

The Rambler

You can connect using dial-up from any phone line.

To connect to broadband the phone line has to be configured. You cannot connect through any phone line.

Many ISPs have an option where if you have a broadband account you can use dial-up when away from home.

Check with your ISP.

Tjilpi

Rambler

My acer travel mate 280 has a built in modem, just a plain old modem, ie just plug in phone line. I never got rid of the old dial up plain I had with Bigpond $20.00 per month unlimited .
so where ever there is a phone line I can plug into it and dial the secret number and the only cost is $20.00 per month, wise old saying never through out something just because it's old ...LOL

Regards

Richard