What kind of modem do you need to run wireless internet on a desktop?

Question

is that all you need to run wireless if there is already a wireless network in the area? How much is it? Is there a wireless card needed as well? How much is that usually?

u wouldn't need a router if there is already a had a wireless network set-up, would you?

i notice people keep telling me to get a router, but doesn't that just run the wireless network?!! some1 is giving false information

Answer 1

You would need a modem, wireless router and a wireless network adapter on your PC.

Like these.
wireless router
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2860584&CatId=2667
wireless network adapter
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1030262&CatId=2697

Usually the ISP provides the modem so theres no need to put a link.

Answer 2

You will need:
1) The Internet Modem (DSL, Cable, etc.)
2) A Wireless Router
3) A Wireless Networking Card (for the desktop)

Some Internet modems come with a built in wireless router (you will know because it will have an antenna on it. Wireless network cards are usually pretty cheap, depending on the type you get. You should go to your local computer store and get a recommendation from them. Also, be sure to bring the information about the router you are using. For a desktop, there are 2 main types of Wireless Networking devices; external and internal. External would include a USB device or a wireless switch (that plugs into your Ethernet port). For internal, on a Desktop, there is usually one 1 option, which would be PCI. A PCI card simply just plugs into a specially designed slot inside your computer. If you want it internal, be sure to first check if you have an available slot.

I noticed you said, "there is already a wireless network in the area". If this is NOT YOUR OWN wireless network then DO NOT connect to it. It IS against the law, and you can get in trouble. Also, this network could be secured and encrypted, therefore you will not be able to gain access to it. If it is unsecured and you know who owns it, you should notify them, as they might be "giving" free Internet to other people, as well as access to their computers.

Answer 3

If you have a wireless network, then someone has already set-up a wireless router and a modem somewhere in the vicinity.

All you need to connect into this wireless network is an adapter on your machine. You can buy various kind of wireless adapters in PCI form, or USB, or PCMCIA. However, make sure that the wireless speed is compatible; you may get poor signal quality of the speeds on your adapter and the wireless access point is not identical.

Answer 4

Distilling the question :

1) You want to get your desktop computer access to the Internet via an existing wireless network that you know is in the area.

2) "Access to the Internet" implies a network connection of some sort.

3) Desktop computers generally have one of several types of network capability (see "Figure 3: View of back panel connectors" at http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/genericDocument?lc=en&cc=us&docname=c00058048#N723) :
a) No network capability.
b) A wired (Ethernet - RJ45) network connection.
c) A wireless (802.11_) network adapter built-in or integrated with the computer.
You need to decide which network capability your computer currently has.


Solutions (depending on the answer to #3 above) ...
Refer to network connectivity pictures here :
http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/content/view/24579/99 - shows all of the individual pieces with specific functions ,
http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/content/view/24579/99/1/2/ - shows a possibility of reduced number of devices when more functions are integrated in one device.

In order of easiest solutions first :

C) Your computer has a wireless (802.11_) network adapter built-in or integrated with the computer.
Your computer is like the small desktop computer icon in the reference picture
http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/content/view/24579/99/1/2/ which has a wireless connection (lightening bolt) connecting to the
Wireless Route w/ Switch .
Set up the wireless software in the operating system or supplied by the vendor of the 802.11_ network adapter. How the software is
configured depends on whose software it is. Here's a guide for setting up the wireless network software configuration in MsWinXP :
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/community/columns/cableguy/cg1102.mspx .
This solution is the easiest because it's the last step in any solution where you've got all of the hardware necessary to enable a
wireless network. Software configuration is the final step. We'll refer back to this step after solving the hardware solution in
the other two cases.

B) Your computer has a wired (Ethernet - RJ45) network connection.
Your computer is like the two small desktop computer icons in the reference picture
http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/content/view/24579/99/1/2/ which have solid lines connecting to the Wireless Route w/ Switch . You
have the necessary hardware in the computer to allow a wired connection to another device that will get you access to the wireless
network. To connect to the Wireless Route w/ Switch you need an Ethernet cable. This is usually supplied in the box with the
Wireless Route w/ Switch . If you don't have an Ethernet cable go to a computer or electronics store or even Target or WalMart to
get one.
Once you have made the physical (cable) connection to the Wireless Route w/ Switch you have to setup the software as mentioned in C
above. In this case you have the software that runs the Ethernet network adapter in your computer and the software for the Wireless
Route w/ Switch.

A) You have a desktop computer with no network capability.
You will have to add something to your computer to make it like the ones in B or C above.
Get a wired adapter : example - http://www.intel.com/network/connectivity/products/pro100m_adapter.htm
OR a wireless adapter : example - http://www.netgear.com/Products/Adapters/SuperGWirelessAdapters/WG311T.aspx or your computer might
have a PCMCIA (PC-Card) slot which could use this type of adapter http://www.2wire.com/?p=118
OR a USB Ethernet adapter : example - http://www.netgear.com/Products/Adapters/WiredAdapters/FA120.aspx
OR a USB wireless adapter : example - http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Product_Id=179211
And, finally, setup the software in your operating system and / or whatever device was added to the computer to create the necessary
connection.

Additional resources :
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/
http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Wireless_Home_Network_Basics
http://computer.howstuffworks.com/wireless-network1.htm

Note : none of the technical article or product links above are recommended ; they are just informative and examples.

Answer 5

If there is already a wireless network you would only need a wireless adapter, they are not expensive mostly starting from $20.00

Answer 6

nicely First you could discover out in the journey that your pc has wireless. this could enable your pc to %. up instant cyber web networks. as quickly as you artwork that out the pc could immediately %. up the sign. BTW there's a swap which will activate wi fi in case you have it