[Garry]

i have a compaq presarioM2000. i want to surf the net
when i am away from home.

thing is i don't know whether my laptop has
a network card which would enable me to go
wi-fi.

i can connect to net using the adsl modem
given to me by the provider.

do i need a separate network card to use wi-fi?

[Greg]

You can wirelessly connect to your DSL modem? If yes then you are already good to go. Wi-Fi is basically just short for wireless internet (it actually stands for wireless fidelity).

[Ethereal_Dragon]

It depends on HOW you are wanting to connect, and the hardware that your laptop has. If your laptop has built in Wireless 802.11a/b/g, then you can connect to any 802.11a/b/g network. You will find that MANY will be password protected, and you will not be able to access them. Some coffee shops and airports have free wireless connections that allow you to surf the web.

If you are wanting to surf the internet OUTSIDE of wireless hotspots, then I think you are looking for something like this:

Cingular Wireless Internet Card | LaptopConnect cards
Sprint Mobile Broadband Solutions

Just a word of caution that bringing the internet with you isn't cheap... It will likely be MORE expensive that the DSL service you have at your home.