I want to hook my desktop up on wireless?

Question

I want to hook my decktop on wireless. I don't know what I need to do. What do I need & how do I do it ??? PLEASE HELP...............................

Answer 1

Hooking your desktop up to wireless implies that you know there is a wireless network signal somewhere within range of your desktop computer. Bear in mind that even if you give your desktop wireless capability, the other half of a wireless connection (another device like an 802.11g router generating wireless signals) must also exist and be configured properly. So, the answer here only addresses your desktop's wireless capability.


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) A wireless (802.11_) network adapter built-in or integrated with the computer.
b) A wired (Ethernet - RJ45) network connection.
c) No network capability.

You need to decide which network capability your computer currently has.


Solutions for desktop wireless depending on the answer to the above question about current desktop network capability ...

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 :

A) 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 Router 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 Router 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 Router w/ Switch you need an Ethernet cable. This is usually supplied in the box with the Wireless Router 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 Router w/ Switch you have to setup the software as mentioned in A above. In this case you have the software that runs the Ethernet network adapter in your computer and the software for the Wireless Router w/ Switch.

C) 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 A above.
Get a wired adapter : example - http://www.intel.com/network/connectivity/products/pro100m_adapter.htm
OR
Get 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.comp=118
OR
Get a USB Ethernet adapter : example - http://www.netgear.com/Products/Adapters/WiredAdapters/FA120.aspx
OR
Get 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 2

First you need a router. If you have cable or DSL just plug the ethernet cable from the cable/dsl modem into the router. Then you will need a wireless card or a wireless USB adapter. I prefer the USB type because you don't need to open your computer. After you plug the USB adapter into your computer just load the software that came with it and you shoyuld be able to double click in the icon in the right hand bottom tray and see your network. Just click on it and click connect. You may see other wireless networks but yours should be the strongest.

Answer 3

Well first off, you need to make sure you desktop either already is a wireless computer or can become one. If it doesn't have a wireless network card install inside it, then it can;t become wireless unless you buy one.

From there you need a router that it can fed off of, such as a netgear router.

Answer 4

Having just seen one of your other questions and you state that you do not have a telephone line in your home (only cell/mobile phones) then I am afraid you will NOT be able to access the internet using any method...wireless or otherwise.
When connected to a wireless network your laptop will find other peoples networks....mine does.....if the network it finds has security then you can't access it, but if it doesn't then yes you could access it, bearing in mind this would be classed as theft (see here) http://www.theage.com.au/news/wireless--broadband/bandwidth-bandit-faces-jail-term/2006/12/20/1166290603548.html
I have security on my wireless network so only I can use it, and my internet security program is set up to alert me of any other computer trying to access my connection. So please be aware of what could happen if you do try to acces your neighbours connection.....best thing would be to ask them if you could pay a bit towards their bill and use it when they are not using their pc to access the web......although you could use it when they are on it as well, but it would run slower. And having their permission would make it totally legal !

Answer 5

If you mean a wireless network, all you need is a wireless card for your desktop. Make sure you already have a wireless router, if not you'll need one too.

Answer 6

definite. as long as you have an comparable instantaneous workstation workstation adapter. i exploit a Netgear WGT624VZ 108 Mbps instantaneous router, that's linked to my Netopia DSL modem. Then, after installation the applying that observed my Netgear WG511T instantaneous workstation card, I inserted the cardboard into the right port and observed the the the remainder of the installation wizard training to end the instantaneous connection. that's great! Now i will use my workstation in any room of the residing house or out on the deck overlooking a eye-catching lake on a delightful day. i wish that this helps.