laptop and internet question

I know this question has nothing to do with the purpose of the website, but this has been the place where I have sought and given advice on various issues for 2 1/2 years now..and I have an unrelated diet/fitness question....so please don't attack me lol

Okay, so I bought a laptop purposely because I will be away on a trip for 10 weeks. The place I'm staying at has a cable modem box/cable line for high speed internet. My question is, do all I have to do to access the internet is plug in the cable line to my computer? Do I need to purchase any equipment? Do I need an ISP...or is Internet Explorer fine?

Today, we just created a wireless network from our desktop computer so I can access the internet on my laptop. When I'm on my trip, will I need to setup the wireless network again if I decide to go wireless? Do I need to bring the router?

I know some of these questions probably have obvious answers, but I am very ignorant when it comes to computers.

Thank you for anyone who offers help.

Sun. Jun 1, 3:39pm

The hotel you are staying at will give you their cable to connect. You can talk to the desk and confirm this before arriving.

Sunday, June 1, 2008, 4:33 PM

Explorer will be fine.

If the hotel has wireless then your laptop should seek it out and find the signal itself. (Just like a radio seeks out a signal and then plays music.) You do not need a router, the hotel will be sending the signal and your laptop will pick it up.

Some hotels have very strong signals throughout the whole hotel and some want you to go to the lobby. You might want to check with the desk, as I mentioned in the above response before you go.

Sunday, June 1, 2008, 5:41 PM

Thanks for your help guys. Actually, I'm doing an academic program on the other side of the country on the East Coast and my housing includes cable modem/cable line. I'm hoping everything works out when I get there. Or maybe I'll just stop off at a local Starbucks since they probably have wireless when I need the internet haha...or maybe since my housing complex is new I can also get signal? But, well, I'll just ask the 3 other people I am rooming with if I have computer issues. Thanks!

Sunday, June 1, 2008, 11:03 PM

If there is a cable modem, then you do not need to bring your modem. If the cable modem has wireless capabilities (some do, some don't), then you shouldn't need to bring anything. If it doesn't, you may need an ethernet cable - looks like a phone cord, but the plug is a little wider. If you have one, might as well take it with you. If not, you can buy one at Best Buy for $10-$20, maybe less, or Walgreens, Target, etc.

Monday, June 2, 2008, 2:50 PM

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