The radio signal icon in the systray - click it and see what networks are reported as available and unencrypted.  And DO NOT have file and print sharing turned on.  Also have XP's firewall on, or use a third party firewall app (ZoneAlarm is one for free).

In many airports the SSID will be 'wayport'.

T-Mobile is the largest provider of Wi-Fi in airports but mainly for use in the club lounges, read this as pay $$$.  You can use an SSID of "any"(no quotes) and no encryption, but as Matt pointed out, turn off File & Print Sharing.

Really? I;ve never been in an airport and seen one with t-mo service - every airport I have been in recently has been wayport. Maybe a regional difference.

T-Mobile is servicing all the Crown Rooms  and the like.  Go ahead and call me a flying snob!

Thanks for the info.  Fact is, I mostly travel through European air terminals not domestic ones.  But the principal of how it works would be the same.

My main concern is that my new T-Mobile 1300 card does not say 'Wi-fi certified' although it is what Dell suggested for the Inspiron 1100 which does not have a mini-PC card.

So from what you say, I only need to see what networks come up on my laptop, choose one (probably only 1 available in Istanbul which is Wi-Fi connected and where I go frequently), and log on making sure I am using the firewall but not file and print sharing.

Cheers, Carole