2006-10-18 08:26:21 · 7 answers · asked by dymps 4 in Computers & Internet ➔ Computer Networking
It's like asking the difference between sound waves and ears... you need a wireless card to pick up the wi-fi signal, just as you need ears to pick up the sound waves ^_^
2006-10-18 08:30:05 · answer #1 · answered by KK 1 · 0⤊ 3⤋
There IS a difference between these two items. WiFi is a Wireless Network, like a wireless home network or a hotspot at a local coffee shop or the airport or a WiFi cafe. A Wireless Card is an Adapter placed inside the computer or the Laptop which is needed to access the WiFi Network you wish to connect to. If you do not have the Wireless card or Adapter which it really is you are unable to connect to any Wireless (WiFi) Network, as desribed above. The card adapter slides into a PCI slot on the computer. If it does not have a Wireless PCI Slot installed then you need to install one and this is not a difficult thang to do at all. Just purchase one from your local Electronics store like Fry's Electronics or Best Buy. Turn off the computer and unplug it. If you leave it plugged in you can get electrocuted and it can also cause damage to the computer. A turned off but still plugged in computer has electricity still available to cause harm.
Now, before you touch anything inside the computer ground yourself and the computer by touching the casing with your hand. This will disperse any static electricity and keep you and the computer safe. After you have done this you can install the PJCI card into the PCI slot. You have to have an available slot to put the card into. If you do not have one available you will need to decide if any installed parts can be dispensed with, removed, and the Wireless PCI card slot put in its place. If you have FireWire but never use it you can safely remove it and use its slot to install the Wireless PCI Card Slot in its place. If you have a dialup modem installed yet never use it and never expect to you can remove it and put the wireless slot in its place. So, you just need to take an inventory of what hardware you currently have installed and if you actually need it or not.
Once you have installed the card slot just put the casing back on, plug the computer back in, and turn it on. The system will detect the new hardware and will inform you via the Found New Hardware Wizard. If the Found New Hardware Wizard does not inform you of its find, you need to go back and ensure you firmly connected it into its slot. If it is not pushed in all the way it will not make proper connection and the OS will not be able to properly detect it.
Good luck and have a great day!
2006-10-18 08:40:07 · answer #2 · answered by Serenity 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wifi
Short for ‘wireless fidelity’. A term for certain types of wireless local area networks (WLAN) that use specifications conforming to IEEE 802.11b. WiFi has gained acceptance in many environments as an alternative to a wired LAN. Many airports, hotels, and other services offer public access to WiFi networks so people can log onto the Internet and receive emails on the move. These locations are known as hotspots.
Wireless card is the hardware required to use a wifi signal send out from eg a router, or hotspot.
2006-10-18 08:37:29 · answer #3 · answered by Paultech 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wifi is a term that means "wireless fidelity" it's pun off of "hifi" Wifi is just a name for a wireless network. A wireless card is physical hardware that you have in your computer that allows you to get internet from a "wifi" network.
Hope this helps!
2006-10-18 08:31:17 · answer #4 · answered by cman 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Bluetooth technologies is useful even as shifting recommendations between 2 or better instruments that are close to at least one yet another even as speed isn't an mission, which comprise phones, printers, modems and headsets. that's ultimate suited for low-bandwidth applications like transfering sound records with phones (i.e. with a Bluetooth headset) or byte records with hand held computers (shifting information) or keyboard and mice. wireless is better effective suited for operating finished-scale networks because it helps a faster connection, better effective variety from the bottom station, and better effective protection (if configured precise) than Bluetooth.
2016-10-16 05:29:15 · answer #5 · answered by chicklis 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nothing. You need a wireless card in order to access a wifi hot spot if your computer does not have wireless networking built in.
2006-10-18 08:28:48 · answer #6 · answered by blackwing873 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋
WI FI is a marketing term. It's the same thing.
2006-10-18 08:30:29 · answer #7 · answered by dsr 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋