| More and more laptops and desktop computers | | | | there's nothing there, then it's still possible that |
| are coming pre-equipped with wireless networking | | | | you have a wireless device in the computer, |
| devices -- it's so cheap that they might as well | | | | especially if you bought it recently and you think |
| put it in, to have another thing to list in the | | | | you do. It's not a good idea to try to open up |
| system specifications. It is easy to tell if a | | | | your computer just to check something, though, |
| desktop computer has wireless enabled. Have a | | | | so you should probably try and figure it out using |
| look at the rear panel for a small antenna. If its | | | | Windows.Checking in WindowsInstead of fiddling |
| there then you have wireless. Laptops a much | | | | around with your computer hardware to see |
| more difficult to diagnose.If you're anything like | | | | what you've got, you can check easily enough |
| me, though, you probably don't even know how | | | | using Windows' Device Manager. To use it, right |
| much memory your computers have, never mind | | | | click My Computer, and choose Manage from that |
| whether any of them came wireless-enabled. | | | | menu. Now click Device Manager.You should see a |
| When you don't know what wireless networking | | | | list of all the different kinds of things you can |
| is, it's easy to ignore it in a computer's | | | | install on your computer. Take a look under |
| specifications, and never take the time to set it | | | | 'Network adapters'. Ignore anything that says '10 |
| up and get it working. Here are some things to | | | | 100' or 'Ethernet' -- they're normal network |
| look for if you want to check your computer's | | | | connections, but not wireless ones. If there's |
| wireless capabilities.Intel CentrinoIf your laptop | | | | anything else there, it could be a wireless device.If |
| came with something called 'Intel Centrino mobile | | | | you think you have a wireless device, but it has a |
| technology', then it's good news for you! | | | | yellow warning sign next to its name in the |
| Computer manufacturers seem a little bad at | | | | Device Manager, you should take a look at it to |
| explaining what this technology is or does, but it | | | | see what's wrong by double clicking its name. |
| basically means that your laptop has wireless | | | | Windows should tell you why the device is not |
| networking built right in, without you needing to do | | | | working at the moment, and may suggest that |
| a thing. It is a marketing name for a combination | | | | you go through its troubleshooter program. Do |
| of the Intel Pentium M processor and Intel's Pro | | | | that before you do anything else.If it turns out to |
| Wireless card.Your computer should have a | | | | be a driver problem, you should insert the drivers |
| 'Centrino' sticker on it somewhere if it is Centrino | | | | CD that came with your computer. Of course, as |
| enabled. If you think you might have taken the | | | | is always the way, you probably won't be able to |
| sticker off, you can check the name of your | | | | find that CD -- but don't worry, you should be |
| processor by right clicking the My Computer icon | | | | able to find drivers online. First, you should look on |
| on your desktop (or in the Start Menu) and | | | | the website of the computer's manufacturer, and |
| choosing Properties from the menu that appears. | | | | then you should try searching for the name that |
| Take a look at what it says after the word | | | | the wireless device had in Device Manager.Of |
| 'Computer' on this screen.If you're interested, | | | | course, you might find after all this that you don't |
| Centrino technology also increases battery life and | | | | have a wireless device after all. Hard luck. It's |
| allows computers to be smaller. Don't worry, | | | | better to figure that out now than to buy |
| though, if you didn't buy a Centrino laptop -- as | | | | wireless equipment and then realise you had some |
| long as your laptop has a free card slot, installing | | | | already, though, isn't it? Of course, even if you did |
| wireless on it will be no trouble.Desktop | | | | find a wireless device in one of your computers, |
| ComputersIf you're not sure whether your | | | | you probably still need more. Don't worry either |
| desktop computer has a wireless connection, the | | | | way -- they're getting cheaper all the |
| easiest thing to do is to turn it around and look at | | | | time!Researched, and Written by Tony Fitz of |
| it. If a wireless connection is present, you should | | | | EntireWeb |
| usually be able to see a small aerial sticking out of | | | | Paid Search Engine Inclusion for just $24 / Year. |
| the back of the computer, towards the bottom.If | | | | |