Windows 7: Verizon FIOS WiFi Software

I bought my wife an HP dm3-1047cl laptop that came with Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit. I bought this for her because of the light weight, long battery life and decent performance (for a portable machine).

I have Verizon FIOS for my ISP (and phone and TV too), but have really hit a brick wall with the Windows 7 laptop. We want to install the Verizon HotSpot software (free WiFi service at most Starbucks (almost everywhere we go) and other HotSpots). According to one Verizon site, it is compatable with 7 (32 & 64 bit).
But according to Tech Support and the main web site, it is not...

I tried several times (with and without Verizon tech support) to load the software, but I keep getting an error that "Minimum requirements are not met. Microsoft .Net Framework 2.0 is not installed. Download from Microsoft and re-install".

According to Microsoft, this is already included in Windows 7 and the download will not proceed. I have to believe that there is a "work around" that will let me bypass this step (or fool it into working), but for the life of me, I can't seem to find it, or find any help within the Verizon Family...

Half the reason for buying the laptop was to be able to use it at the university. I really don't want to downgrade to Vista, but unless I can figure out a way to load the WiFi, I may have to...

Any Ideas would be greatly appreciated

Thanks in advance...

My Best Always,

Michael

Hi Michael, What is wrong with using Windows 7's builtin utility for detecting these wifi networks? Have it not worked?

Hey aem,

Thanks so much for the reply...as for trying what is "built in"...I really haven't tried it...but I may try to do it third party tomorrow. My wife cares for my daughter who is disabled because of a horrific auto accident. She takes her to UCR everyday and waits for her while she is in class.

Hulu has been her best friend...along with this Verizon WiFi software. Because it is a one touch connection, it has been very easy for her. Because I work 50 miles away, it is a bit difficult to try setting up the connection "blind".

But, if my son has time (he's also going to UCR...and yes, I am broke!!!), perhaps he can help...I will ask her to take it along and have him give it a try...

Thanks again for the reply...

My Best,

Michael

Hi Miachel, i'm sorry to hear about the accident with your daughter. Hope all is well mate.

Yes, it's worth trying the builtin utility, nothing to do really, just let Windows 7 detects them and you should be able to go online, so long as there are no secuity blockages from these hotspots. Pls have you Windows 7 securitized with AV softwares. MSE and AVG are free and would be a minimum.

If you feel third party is the way to go, then by all means, use it. No harm in trying i suppose.

Thanks aem...I appreciate the kind thoughts...

I have the AV covered with Avast...it has been a godsend with my Vista 64 bit machine so it was the first thing I put on the Windows 7 box. I was using Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit beta early on, but had to let it go as I just didn't have the "at home" time to get everything working with my home PC's (I've got boxes running everything from Win98SE to 7, including a NT4 print server!) Making everything talk to each other in the ealry dayz was not all that easy...

The problem is that Verizon (they are one of the biggest Telco companies here in the states...especially in my area of SoCal (Southern California)) has most of the HotSpots they sponser secured...nothing much is open in the area. I am really thinking of using my son's account at the university, but it really isn't a cool thing to do...

I just wish I could take the laptop up myself and try...my wife is anything but stupid, but computers are really not her thing (she and I used to build the IC chips in these things for a living...LOL)

Thanks again Mate!!

Michael

No problems Michael, so how is your wireless connectivity venture going?

Hey aem!

Thanks for checking in!

I spent the day (as much of it as I could at work) going through the Forum, looking for similar problems and perhaps some help. My wife did not take the HP with her today, but rather the 8 plus pound Acer that we've had forever (XP Pro with Verizon WiFi working...and MSN Premium Explorer (which Verizon FIOS offered up until this December...just in time to no longer allow you to install it on the new Christmas machines ). So I couldn't have her try the WiFi for me from remote control.

It's a shame really, because I spent a lot of time looking for what I thought would be a nice light weight solution for her...enough horsepower, screen size, capability and battery life to get her through the day...all for naught because of some simple software.

I know Verizon will HAVE to make it work with 7 sooner or later...I just don't want it to be later...

All My Best,

Michael