| Do you know if your new computer already has | | | | can generally see a small aerial antenna sticking |
| wireless capability? Many new computers have | | | | out of the back of the computer near the |
| the built-in software and connections in order for | | | | bottom of the computer. |
| you to set up a wireless network. These wireless | | | | If you don't see anything there, it's still possible |
| networking devices are so inexpensive that the | | | | that you have a wireless device in the computer, |
| manufacturers of the computers include them as | | | | especially if the computer is relatively new. Unless |
| part of the package and can be found on the | | | | you're a computer expert, don't open the back of |
| system specification list. | | | | your computer to determine if it has wireless |
| Like most people, however, you may not even | | | | capabilities. Instead, you should probably try and |
| know how much memory your computer has, let | | | | figure it out using Windows. |
| alone whether it arrived already wireless-enabled. | | | | Checking in Windows. |
| This is especially true if you don't know what | | | | You can easily check your computer's wireless |
| wireless networking is. It's easy to ignore this | | | | capabilities by going into Windows' Device Manager. |
| detail in the specifications that come with the | | | | You must first right-click My Computer and |
| computer and to fail to take the time to set it up | | | | choose Manage from that menu. Now click on |
| and get it working. Let's look at some things to | | | | "Device Manager". |
| look for if you want to check your computer's | | | | In device manager, you will be able to see a list |
| wireless capabilities. | | | | of the different devices you have or would be |
| Intel Centrino. | | | | able to have on your computer. Look under |
| If you own a laptop that comes with something | | | | 'Network adapters'. Anything that uses the words |
| called 'Intel Centrino mobile technology', this is | | | | '10/100' or 'Ethernet' is a normal network |
| what you're looking for! Unfortunately, | | | | connection and isn't related to wireless |
| manufacturers of computers are not good at | | | | connectivity. Anything else may be a wireless |
| explaining what this technology is or does. Quite | | | | device. |
| simply, it means that your laptop has wireless | | | | If you think you have a wireless device but note |
| networking built right in; you don't need to do a | | | | that it has a yellow warning sign next to its name |
| thing! Intel Centrino is a term used in marketing | | | | in the Device Manager, click its name to find out |
| that stands for a combination of the Intel Pentium | | | | what is wrong with the device. Windows should |
| M processor and Intel's Pro/Wireless card. | | | | be able to let you know why the device is not |
| Your computer should have an 'Intel Centrino' | | | | working. The computer may also suggest that |
| sticker on it somewhere if it is enabled with Intel | | | | you go into its troubleshooter program. Try doing |
| Centrino. If you don't see this type of sticker, you | | | | that before trying anything else. |
| can also check the name of your processor by | | | | The problem could be a driver problem. In that |
| right-clicking the My Computer icon in the Start | | | | case, insert the drivers CD that came with your |
| Menu (or on your desktop) and clicking on | | | | computer. If you can't find the drivers CD, you |
| "Properties" from the menu. Look at the wording | | | | can always find the drivers online. In order to do |
| following the word "Computer" in this section. It | | | | this, you should look on the website of the |
| should tell you if it has the wireless feature. | | | | computer's manufacturer. From there, you can |
| Intel Centrino technology has the capability of | | | | try searching for the particular name of the |
| increasing the life of your computer's battery and | | | | wireless device in Device Manager. |
| allows computers to be smaller in size. If you | | | | Unfortunately, it could turn out that you don't |
| didn't buy an Intel Centrino laptop but your laptop | | | | have a wireless device after all. That's too bad. |
| has a free card slot, adding wireless capabilities will | | | | On the bright side, it is much better to learn that |
| be no problem. | | | | now than it would be to buy wireless equipment |
| Desktop Computers. | | | | and then realize you couldn't run it on your |
| Desktop computers come with wireless | | | | computer. In any event, even if you did find a |
| capabilities, too. If you're not sure whether or not | | | | wireless device in one of your computers, you |
| your desktop computer has a wireless connection, | | | | may decide that you need even more wireless |
| turn it around and look at the back of the | | | | capability. Fortunately, wireless technology is |
| computer. If a wireless connection is present, you | | | | getting cheaper all the time! |