A laptop bought for a fiver in a charity shop. How do I turn the thing on?

[HMS_Dave]

Where will my WIFI password be? 🤔

If you've never changed it, it should be printed on your router somewhere.

 

[Accy cyclist]

I suppose I could buy one from Argos, but maybe Currys will be better as hopefully the salesperson will tell me what and what not to do when getting it working.

 

[wiggydiggy]

Where will my WIFI password be? 🤔

Take a picture of the back of your router and we'll tell you

(Just in case this is mistaken as serious - please don't do this!)

 

[ColinJ]

Where will my WIFI password be? 🤔

On a sticker on the back of your router?

Don't make the mistake that I did - putting the router on the window ledge, with the password visible from the street!

For the simplest and cheapest computer, consider getting a very basic Chromebook.

 

[Accy cyclist]

If you've never changed it, it should be printed on your router somewhere.

Is that the little plastic box thingy with the 4 green lights, on my window bottom?

 

[Accy cyclist]

Take a picture of the back of your router and we'll tell you

(Just in case - please don't do this!)

Don't make the mistake that I did - putting the router on the window ledge, with the password visible from the street!

Would that mean someone could then use my internet connection? 🤔

 

[ColinJ]

Would that mean someone could then use my internet connection?

Yes. Not only with potential security issues for online banking etc., but just imagine someone standing outside and using your connection to download something really bad like child pornography!

 

[Pat "5mph"]

So I wouldn't be able to play videos on it? 🤔

You can only stream if there's no DVD drive.
Ask for one with a DVD drive, if they still do them.

 

[Accy cyclist]

Yes. Not only with potential security issues for online banking etc., but just imagine someone standing outside and using your connection to download something really bad like child pornography!

Heck, yes!!

 

[wiggydiggy]

Would that mean someone could then use my internet connection? 🤔

Yes.

Your Wi-Fi is normally visible to others, but to connect they need the password. For @ColinJ this meant anyone that walked past his window they could see his password and then connect.

 

[Accy cyclist]

You can only stream if there's no DVD drive.
Ask for one with a DVD drive, if they still do them.

Thanks, I wouldn't have known otherwise!!

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Is that the little plastic box thingy with the 4 green lights, on my window bottom?

Would that mean someone could then use my internet connection? 🤔

Yes to both.

 

[HMS_Dave]

Is that the little plastic box thingy with the 4 green lights, on my window bottom?

That's the one.

 

[ColinJ]

Heck, yes!!

So... if you think that someone MIGHT have been able to see your router password, change it to something else and make sure that isn't something insecure like mypassword1234! You want something safe like 3r4i6&()HGFHGF??TryToGuessTHatYouRotter!

 

[Accy cyclist]

I think it's time for a new one! I can't get a video's off even after I've turned my laptop off for 20 minutes. I'm hoping it goes off when the video ends, but even then this laptop is looking and acting knackered. I'll probably go to Currys tomorrow and buy a 'budget' one as I only need one for the basic things. My concern is will I be able to connect a new one to the internet. Do they come with instructions on how to do so and if so is it quite easy?🤔

Thankfully the video sound has stopped, but it could happen with another video I watch. If not tomorrow I'll have to get another one soon as every time I use this over 5 year old laptop something freezes, or the brightness fades to very low making seeing words on the screen very difficult.