How to Configure a Laptop as a Wireless Internet Access Point
Wireless computers allow people to connect to Internet network locations anywhere they are available. Because many restaurants, hotels and airports offer wireless hotspots or free Wi-Fi, you can check your email, bank account or chat with friends from almost anywhere.
- Turn on your computer. The laptop has a switch on the top or front of it. This switch controls the wireless card. Move the switch to the "On" position. Some computers have wireless cards that always stay on. You can tell whether your wireless card is turned on by checking to see whether the wireless light on the computer is lit or flashing.
- Click on the wireless network icon in the bottom right-hand corner of the computer screen. Search for the "Available Networks" button. A list of all available wireless connections will be displayed.
- Double click on the network you want to connect to. You will be asked to enter the network's name and password. If you are connecting to your own network, you can find the password on the bottom of your wireless router. If you are connecting to a public network, you will need to ask the network owner for this information. To configure the settings, click on the properties tab.
- Choose how you would like to share your access point. You can choose to set a password or to leave it unlocked and free for everyone to use. Click on the "Save" button to save these settings.
- Allow your computer to connect to the network. Depending on the speed and connection, this can take a few minutes.
- Double-click on the Internet browser on your computer desktop. The browser should open to your homepage if the computer is connected to a wireless network. If not, you will be shown a page that says, "This page could not be displayed." You will then need to connect to a different network or try to connect to the current network again.