why does my wireless internet not always work?

Factual Questions
1

I am pretty slow so be easy on me. I have xp pro running on an asus laptop

I configure my wireless internet connections through intel proset/wireless tool (I somehow disabled the microsoft equivalent programme and dont know how to switch it back)

It often sees networks that appear open and unencrypted (at say cafes and airports)

when I press configure it seems to do a one time connection OK. However only about 25% of the time can I then establish a internet connection with it.

Is it because not all wireless connections are internet connections or is there perhaps some setting that might be wrong? The reason I suspect the latter is that at Atlanta airport which has paid wireless access, I could access the signal but opening up a browser did nothing - it just sat there trying to do something, eventually trying to use a modem connection.

2

A lot of connections at airports and hotels and such require you to pay for their service. You can connect to their network, and browse to a web page which you can use to pay for their service, but you won’t be able to connect to the internet through them for free. Hotel connections will often be included in the price of your room, and they will give you an activation key which you have to enter before it will give you access to the full internet.

3

Starbucks shops are like that too. The last one I was in, I had to get a one-hour TMobile connection.

4

yes, but not even the pay screen came up at Atlanta, wheras in Tampa the webbrowser came up straight away with the Tampa airport start page. It seems that some connections it refuses to do anything

5

It might be that their router is not configured right (or purposedly configured to not allow outsiders). For example, some routers are set to accept connections from only known computers. If yours isn’t one of them, the router won’t let you connect even if you can see it in the list.

Assuming that 1) you can connect to at least SOME hotspots and 2) you’re not just having a problem with weak signal strengths… I’d venture a guess and say that it’s not a problem with your system or configuration. But, to be sure, you might look around for other people with laptops the next time you’re at one of these problematic hotspots. Ask them if they had to do anything special to connect.

6

ah just found out there are problems with the Intel 2200BG wireless chip, and many people report problems accessing G networks. May have to replace wireless card if necessary