Does anyone know how to make a notebook(computer) wireless?

Question

To be able to move it around my house and still be able to access the internet.

Answer 1

You first need to get a wireless base unit. It can either be a wireless gateway (combination router/modem w/ wireless access capability) or a wireless router that can connect through some other modem. The modem in question can be DSL, cable, or even just connecting through a computer with a regular dial-up modem.

For the laptop computer, if it does not already have a wireless card installed (to check this, pull up the Start Menu, go to Control Panel, open Systems, click the Hardware tab, open the Device Manager, and under Network Adapters look for anything that includes the number 802.11), you'll need to install a device that will enable wireless capability. The simplest of these is a basic dongle that you plug into a USB port and that acts as a Wi-Fi antenna. For a less obtrusive solution, or to free up USB ports for other purposes, you can get Wi-Fi PCMCIA (or Type II PC) cards that will serve as the antenna. If you really feel like going hi-tech (and you have a laptop computer that includes the proper slot but not Wi-Fi), you can even get cards that will fit a standard CompactFlash or Secure Digital flash memory card slot and serve as the antenna. The SD option has one drawback, being that SD cards are not nearly big enough to allow a fully internal card, so you'll definitely have to remove it before packing your laptop in a travel case. You might be able to find a CF or PC card that will be fully recessed when installed, and thus be able to just leave it inserted during travel. But again, I doubt you'd have a CF slot available in a laptop computer that does not already have Wi-Fi built in, as most modern laptops will include the complete run of dial-up modem, ethernet jack, and wireless-G adapters, the three most likely reasons that someone would ever need to buy a PC card for a laptop computer (and very few modern laptops include more than one card slot, while some don't include any).

Now, once you've got a wireless access point that can link to the internet, and a wireless device either built into or attached to your laptop, all that's left to do is run through the appropriate setup wizards on the computer, which would be specific to the device being used, and to enter any encryption data, which would be specific to whatever wireless access point is being used. The easiest way to check if you've got the computer set up correctly to be able to actually use Wi-Fi is to take it to McD's, most (if not all) of which include free unencrypted Wi-Fi access. If your home setup includes encryption of any sort, this will allow you to distinguish between problems associated with the laptop hardware vs. problems with getting it to speak with your specific system.

Answer 2

hi,

if your laptop has a USB port, you can buy a USB wireless adapter. I bought the item on the link below.

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16833315067

You will also need to have access to the internet in your house and a wireless access point. I.E. a wireless router or such connected to your internet feed. -You may be able to connect to a neighbors wireless and use their internet connection but it is polite to ask permission first. There are tons of security concerns that using a wireless connection opens up. You may wish to read up on those.

Here is a link to the wireless access point/router I purchased:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16833320008

I can connect around my house without any problems.

Answer 3

your notebook must have a built-in LAN card like 802.1g then you buy a wireless router (access point) like the one made by Linksys. Provided you have a connect anytime internet connection already like DSL, your computer with the proper LAN card and the remote Linksys router setup in your computer, the computer and router should be able to communicate with each other wirelessly within somewhat feet of each other.

Answer 4

You'll have to get a wireless router and plug your main internet source into that. Make sure you have a wireless card for your notebook as well.

Answer 5

If wireless capability isn't built in, you need to get a wireless adapter. PCMCIA for most laptops some newer ones only take Express cards. Alternatively, you could get a USB wireless adapter.

Answer 6

Lol u need to go buy the softwear and a device that goes into the usb port so u can transmit the freaquency to use the net anywhere at anytime without the phone line

Answer 7

Inorder to make a computer wireless you:
pull out the cord coming out of the back of the Computer

done! you have a wireless computer.

Answer 8

Follow the information stated there, and when you go to get your wireless card, make sure it is one for the PCMCIA slot.

Answer 9

If you have a broadband connection, you get a router and set it up for your own network. Then you can move around wherever you want.

Answer 10

well you need to have a wireless network in your louse (all you need is a wireless router) and then you need a wireless card for your laptop it is pretty easy to setup and your isp may do it for you