Does Anyone Know Anything About Android Netbooks?

[DaveM]

A friend (sort of) purchased a 7" netbook which runs on the Android OS and supposedly can be used with any wireless network or a wi-fi hot spot. However, by her account, it will not connect. I haven't the faintest idea how to set up a machine using the Android system (didn't even know there was such a thing until this person bought one). Neither she nor her son are very tech-savvy. Can anyone provide any (VERY straightforward) suggestions as to how to accomplish this feat? She's been calling tech support left and right and is being advised to to everything from getting a new router to updating firmware somehow. Personally, I think she made a bad purchase, but am not going to go there. Any ideas that anyone may have will be more than welcome--would love to have this person off my back.

[richthelandlord]

Assuming their router wifi is working properly connecting to it under Android is pretty intuitive - or should be to most people...

From the main start page go to settings, then wifi. First thing to do there is to hit the button to turn the wifi on.

Once you've done that you'll get a dialogue showing you all the connections the tablet can see.

Select the right one, and you'll be prompted for the password to log on. (That'll be stored for future use so you don't need to do it every time...)

Once you've done that, any program that requires a connection to the internet will have one available.

If the router isn't working properly you most probably need to find it a new user... :rolleyes:

[DaveM]

Thanks Rich--I'm not sure how this will eventually work out, but thankfully it's not my problem, though I do feel bad as the netbook in question was a 14th birthday present for the son of a friend. She had asked me for recommendations and I put her in touch with a local tech wizard who offered her a completely refurbished Dell laptop with pretty much everything for $150. She, meanwhile, insisted first on buying a unit that ran on Windows CE (and didn't work), then the current unit, I think because she thinks its cute. I loaned my Dell to the son for a week and he loved it and had no problem using any of the features. Surely that would be a deciding vote? But no.... I have passed your suggestions along and with any luck, I won't have to worry about it any more.

[DaveM]

Here's the report I am getting from the person trying to get the netbook to operate: "Unfortunately, all these steps, are the same as we had discussed. Do all this repeatedly, but as soon as we move to access internet or email, get cannot display page(google) & only some "plus" accounts can be accessed(hotmail).....messages. Then, like I explained, look again at WiFi settings to find 'disabled' message.....over & over can repeat this process." I gather that network settings are either not being saved or are showing up as disabled for some reason. She went through this with the Windows CE machine as well--had created seven wireless network connections but by her account, could not "activate" any of them. My guess is that it's a PICNIC problem, but....any thoughts are welcome. Much appreciate you trying, Rich.

[richthelandlord]

If anything at all is accessble - and they're telling you Hotmail is - then the wireless networking in both the router and the netbook works. You've gotten yourself a picnic. :(

Do they have a manual with the netbook? If they have, I suggest they read it...

If the manual is either absent or might as well be in Hebrew, this video might help - it's for an Android phone, but the steps involved are identical

http://www.butterscotch.com/tutorial/How-To-Connect-Your-Android-Phone-To-A-Wireless-Network

[DaveM]

I should have mentioned that I'm not sure how to decipher the above at all. I don't know if they're getting a connection to Hotmail or a blank screen, etc. I keep being told there is no connection. It's a situation I really don't want to get too involved in because the kid's mother can be bizarre in the extreme--the problem, at the root of it, is that she bought a unit she wanted for him to use (he likes my laptop and wants one similar but she keeps saying "it's too big"). The end result is that a 14 year old is getting a load of frustration over what was supposed to be a birthday gift, and being a veteran of a number of rotten teenage birthdays, I said I would see what I could do for him. That's not proving to be much.

The true irony of the whole thing is that the mother is a pharmacist with decades of experience with computers and electronics systems of all varieties. Somewhere along the line, however, she decided she did not need to read directions or listen to instructions. What can you do?

I believe I'll refer them to the instruction manual, though as it was purchased from a drop-shipper, that may well be in Chinese. Some people....who would buy a computer because of its appearance rather than its functionality?

[richthelandlord]

..who would buy a computer because of its appearance rather than its functionality?



If I had my trolling head on I'd suggest 'any Mac user' :rolleyes:

My Android machine is a cheap Chinese-made 10" tablet and it works really well - although the wireless networking has a little bit less range than an iPad it *did* cost about half what my iPod touch did... so I'm happy at that. :cool:

[DaveM]

I don't much care about brand names as long as something works. And I strongly suspect that this unit would work in the right hands. The latest news I have is that they took the netbook to a couple of wireless hotspots in the area and ran into the same problem. So....(you can't make this stuff up) the matriarch is looking into getting a different ISP.

Most likely the problem could be fixed in five minutes but I don't want to get involved. This person is very good at punishing good deeds (and undoing their efforts). I feel bad because her kids are literally going crazy--she blames that on her late husband but he's been gone for several years. If I get involved in the situation....the next problem will be my fault. There's enough worry in the world without going looking for it.

[richthelandlord]

There's enough worry in the world without going looking for it.



You're learning. ;)

[DaveM]

Oh yes...that's why I'd never make it as a tech support person or anything resembling a customer service representative.

[richthelandlord]

Oh yes...that's why I'd never make it as a tech support person or anything resembling a customer service representative.

If you weren't barking mad when you started, you would be within a week... a certain kind of insanity is infectious, you catch it off your clients! :eek:

[DaveM]

I have to pass this along....hopefully it will be the final chapter in the tale. She's had a tech from the satellite Internet provider in as well as an in-home service call by Geek Squad--at this point she's spent several times the price of the "cute" netbook on service that isn't needed. A long-time and born-to-the-blood geek friend offered to take a look at the unit free of charge (I think he was curious about it as much as anything else--he'd never seen one either but has an Android phone). So, I contacted the owner by phone, noting that my friend was off work today, and was told everything would be wonderful and it would be just great if we could stop by at 3:30 this afternoon as the kids would be home from school, etc. etc. So, at the appointed hour, we made the 20 mile drive....and found no one at home. We waited around for about half an hour but nobody showed--no kids, nobody. Drove back home with both of us determined to wash our hands of the matter.

I sent an e-mail to the netbook owner explaining that we'd been there, etc. Guess what I got in reply?

"I wish you wouldn't bring strangers here when no one is home. I worry so about privacy".

Excuse me now. I'm going to take some antihistamines and go operate machinery.

[richthelandlord]

I worry so about privacy".



If they took that tone with me I'd stick the netbook somewhere so private only their proctologist would ever find it...

[DaveM]

Don't think I wasn't tempted....but from a distance of 20 miles....difficult. Mind, I think I will maintain the distance henceforth.