I love my Gateway Profile 3, BUT.....

[Pipanella]

.........you can't imagine the conversation I just had in Live Chat Help with the Gateway Tech Support Center.

My question: I just found out that wireless internet is available in my area, but I need to be able to install a wireless modem in my computer. Is this possible with a Profile 3? (A Profile 3 is an all-in-one, with no tower.)

After nearly an hour of him telling me the kind of modem I now have (knew this already), and asking if I had internet access now (duh, how did he think he was able to talk to me and access the information on my machine?), and then telling me that obviously the modem had to be installed externally (no, not obvious, that's why I asked the question), then telling me that it took a special modem (no kidding!! that's what I told HIM!), then telling me that I would have to ask the wireless internet provider if my computer could have it installed internally (wait, didn't Gateway MAKE my computer?), then telling me about a PC/MCIA slot I had (yep, know about that one, too, I use it for my digital camera media card, but does this have anything to do with wireless internet?), and getting NO ANSWER to that....I ended the conversation.

So...........can any of you out there help me with this? Do any of you have a Gateway Profile 3 AND wireless internet? IS it possible to install a wireless modem inside or will it need an external installation? The wireless internet provider told me that if external is needed, it will cost $200 more for the equipment.

Anything you all can advise me on is greatly appreciated!

(Just don't tell me that I need a different modem than I have now. I KNOW!!!!!!) LOL!!!!!

[twonky]

I looked at the specs for your computer on the Gateway site and can probably explain what your problem is going to be.

You don't have any expansion slots in your computer. All you really have are USB (Universal Serial Bus) ports and PCMCIA card slots.

On most desktop PC's, there are several 'slots' inside the computer (usually in the back) where you can plug devices in. Since your computer is flat, it doesn't have room for that type of device.

You will need to find out from the wireless provider if they have a PCMCIA (or PC-Card) modem for their service. If not, you'll most likely have to use the external version. (They may consider a PCMCIA device to be external)

[cashhound]

Originally posted by Pipanella
(Just don't tell me that I need a different modem than I have now. I KNOW!!!!!!) LOL!!!!!

Uhhh, Pip....Think you need a different modem.








OK...I couldn't help myself. Hope your provider doesn't consider PCMCIA and external device....

[Pipanella]

Originally posted by twonky
You don't have any expansion slots in your computer. All you really have are USB (Universal Serial Bus) ports and PCMCIA card slots.

Right. Well, actually I do have a serial port, a parallel port, and ports for a keyboard and mouse (not used, since my keyboard is USB, and the USB mouse plugs into the keyboard). This, in addition to the USB ports (there are 4)

On most desktop PC's, there are several 'slots' inside the computer (usually in the back) where you can plug devices in. Since your computer is flat, it doesn't have room for that type of device.

That's why I questioned the internet provider about internal/external and he said that I should still be able to get inside. I told him that I didn't think there was any place to install ANYTHING inside, then he referred me to Gateway. This is my 4th computer, but my first all-in-one. I've installed CD-Roms, CD-Writers, and modems in my other computers with no problems, but knew this was a horse of a different color.

Guess I will probably have to go external, which is what I suspected anyway.

Thanks for your help, twonky!

(.......still shaking my head over the tech support conversation.......)

Originally posted by cashhound
Uhhh, Pip....Think you need a different modem.

Always one of ya in the crowd!

[KAZMAN]

The question here is what does your wireless provider need in your pc? Do they need a network card?

like road runner and DSL?

Does your profile have the integrated network card option?

I am not familiar with wireless isps yet.. So I am not sure what is required... Also you could use a PC Card also.

You are almost adding a laptop... So how do they do it with those.. I know you could use the usb ports to expand too..

later

[Pipanella]

Originally posted by KAZMAN
The question here is what does your wireless provider need in your pc? Do they need a network card?

like road runner and DSL?

Does your profile have the integrated network card option?

I am not familiar with wireless isps yet.. So I am not sure what is required... Also you could use a PC Card also.

You are almost adding a laptop... So how do they do it with those.. I know you could use the usb ports to expand too..

later

uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.......all they told me was that I need a wireless modem card, which they provide, but I install.