need help with wireless?

Question

Ok heres a silly question, please answer it simply as Im not really into all this..
Ok my laptop isnt wireless but I was told you can buy something to put into the usb port BUT I bought it and thought Id basically just stick it in and it would work.... like my mp3 player (Oh god, I know I sound so silly) anyway It didnt work, I never thought anything about about it.
I want my laptop to be wireless, what the best and the most simple way to do this..
Sorry for sounding so blonde!

Answer 1

Yes you need a USB Wireless adapter - but you may also need to load the driveres for it from the CD they provide.
Just load the CD first and follow the instructions.
Insert the USB adapter once advised.

Once loaded you should go to Internet connections (from Control panel) and double click on the wireless network to see what network is available to you.

Answer 2

Here's a short answer. You must have the drivers in your computer to have the USB wireless adapter work. You must turn it on and connect to the internet through your network control panel. You must have a wi-fi signal that it can pick up, which means a wireless router hooked up to your DSL or cable modem. Think of it being like a cordless phone, besides the phone (adapter) you need the base (router) to use it. You might be able to pick up a neighbor;s wi-fi signal or one from a bookstore etc., but usually there is a 200 to 300 foot range.

Answer 3

Notebooks either come with a built in wireless capability or they can be made wireless capable with an adapter.

From your writing, it appears as though yours is not a built in wireless capable unit.

You are left with two types of adapters.

One is a USB type and you apparently are having a problem with it. My personal experience with USB network adapters, USB serial adapters, and USB wireless adapters has not been favorable. Your writing supports my unfavorable observation. Some people swear by them - I tend to swear at them. If you followed the install instructions properly including the driver installation, you apparently are having the same luck I have (bad luck that is). Before tossing it, perhaps you should uninstall it and reinstall it being careful to follow the directions especially in the order they recommend which is very critical for USB devices. After install, put the notebook within a few feet of the wireless router or wireless access point in the same room so you know you have a strong signal and try to connect. Confirm that your wireless access point is functional by having someone with a functional wireless notebook connect to your wireless access point - as this rules out a wireless access point issue and confirms the notebook usb wireless is faulty. Be sure to follow these steps to rule out the access point being faulty too.

Knowing that the USB is faulty by the above test, now go back to the dealer and tell him what you did. Besides impressing him on your totally remarkable diagnostic skill, he will be forced to either replace it with another unit or refund your money. If he insists the replacement works, pull out your notebook and have him demo it in the store on the store's wireless system on your notebook. If he gets the replacement to work you are in business.

Alternatively, insist he replace it with a pcmcia wireless card. Thes business card size (but thicker) devices plug in your pcmcia slot. These work better than USB almost always. These cost more than USB devices - but they are more reliable (perhaps you get what you pay for). I would ask him to confirm the pcmcia device works on your notebook at the store as well. I would play the skeptical role here and ask him to confirm performance prior to payment.

Now to get the store manager to help as I suggest, go when they are NOT backlogged (early in the day is usually a good time).

If you follow the above plan, you will not look like a novice (or in your verbage like a blonde). You will get something that works and you will get install help.

Of course, once home you need to configure your wireless access point to communicate with your notebook but at least you will have confirmed performance of the wireless on the notebook.

Technical problem solving is just a step by step process that determine what is working and what is not, followed by fixing what is not working. Understand the approach I outlined, follow the approach and you will be in business.

I have assumed all along that you have a functional wireless router or wireless access point at home. If this is NOT the case you will need such too. You can validate performance of your notebook wireless in a community wi fi spot (cafe, library, etc) before buying a wireless router or access point.

Answer 4

now that you bought the wireless USB adapter, all you need now is a router. You cannot go wireless without a router.