Travel Tech
"Vista" and Wi–Fi, [for RVers]
By Alan Lidstone – continued from Woodall's Diamond Club eNewsletter
However, even though computers with Windows Vista have been available in stores since early January, full–function Vista–compatible hardware drivers are only available for a limited number of peripheral hardware devices.
Windows Vista does include a set of "built–in" drivers for peripheral products. These drivers provide varying levels of functionality, but may not have the same function available with the earlier Windows XP hardware drivers. If the built–in Windows Vista driver works satisfactorily, you need take no further action.
Computer users can check the peripheral hardware manufacturer's websites for availability of upgraded full–function Windows Vista hardware driver information and downloads.
Note: You may have to replace peripheral hardware if a Windows Vista "built–in" driver is not available or suitable, and the hardware manufacturer has no Vista–compatible available or planned for release.
WiFi is the most popular (and inexpensive) way to connect using a wireless network adapter that is built–in or connected to the computer. This technology connects the computer to the Internet using a wireless broadband router/modem at home as well as RV resorts, campgrounds, or other Wi–FI hot–spots.
The second technology is a wireless broadband data card, available from your mobile wireless provider such as Sprint, Alltel and Verizon, that is built–in or connected to the computer and connects to the nearest available cellular tower.
Note: Broadband data card Internet access is slower than Wi–Fi access and requires signing up for a broadband data plan of 12–24 months duration and a monthly fee.
Vista users may encounter wireless Internet connectivity problems, caused by incompatible settings in the new Windows Vista operating system, incompatible hardware or firmware in the broadband router/modem, or the failure of some Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to provide customers with Vista–compatible router/modems (WiFI) or wireless broadband data cards.
WiFI Internet connectivity problems may require using your local area network (LAN) adapter to connect via ethernet cable to an ISP–provided router/modem to determine the problem, download firmware, and reset various Windows Vista settings.
Contact your broadband data card service provider to resolve data card Internet connectivity problems. You will most likely need a phone connection as well as an alternate way to connect to the Internet to (WiFi or LAN) to download updated Vista–compatible broadband data card drivers.
Upgrading to Vista – Anyone upgrading an existing computer to Windows Vista should have a qualified computer technician determine if the current computer will work with Windows Vista, install any required hardware upgrades and install the Windows Vista operating system.
Recommendations – Don't buy a new Vista–powered computer for use at home and on RV trips unless you:
- Are prepared to download new hardware drivers if the built–in drivers don't work
- Have confirmation from your wireless mobile broadband data card service provider that your data card is compatible with Windows Vista, or you have downloaded, installed, installed and verified that your data card is working.
- Have confirmation from your DSL or cable ISP that your current broadband router/modem (at home) is compatible with Windows Vista.
- Purchase a new computer with Windows Vista from a seller that allows you to return it for a full refund if it does not connect to the Internet in wireless mode, or if you cannot use the new computer with your current peripheral equipment.
If you use more than one computer, we recommend you that you upgrade or purchase computers using the Windows Vista operating system one computer at a time.
If you only have one computer, we recommend you defer upgrading to a Vista–compatible environment until the various hardware, software, and internet connection problems have been satisfactorily resolved by the hardware and computer manufacturers, Internet Service Providers, and Microsoft.
Notebook or laptop computers on the road are a "must–have" for more and more RVers. We rightfully expect all the various equipment manufactured by different companies and installed in an RV to work when we purchased our RV and drove it off the lot. We see no reason why a computer, designed for mobility and travel, should not do the same thing coming out of the box.
Remember, Safety First, and Happy RVing!!!
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