| Now a days having a wireless network available | | | | with the hardware, and that it’s driver |
| to you is more normal than abnormal. Many | | | | matches what version of Windows you have. |
| reasons have led to this change, one being cost. It | | | | Desktop Computers |
| is very cost effective so set up a wireless | | | | If you need to check to see if your desktop |
| network as opposed to a wired network. | | | | computer has a wireless connection, turn off the |
| Because of the rise in wireless network popularity, | | | | computer and turn it around and look for a rod |
| more and more computer manufacturers are | | | | sticking out near the bottom of the tower. This |
| equipping their systems with the right wireless | | | | would be the wireless antenna just like an antenna |
| networking hardware. I am going to discuss 3 big | | | | would be on a radio. If you see nothing like this |
| points, wireless networking in laptops, desktops, | | | | then your desktop probably does not have a |
| and also the software on these machines | | | | wireless card installed in the PCI slot. So buy one |
| So we start off with a very important question | | | | that matches the version of Windows that you |
| – Is your laptop or home computer wireless | | | | have on the desktop. |
| enabled? This is how you can check if your | | | | Windows to check the Wireless Capacity |
| computer has wireless capabilities or not. | | | | Once everything is installed on your laptop or |
| Laptops | | | | desktop you want to use windows to check the |
| Many newer laptops have wireless networking | | | | wireless capacity to make sure the settings are |
| capabilities already built in to them. If you laptop | | | | correct. Open up the Device Manager in Windows. |
| came with the hardware built inside of it, then all | | | | Look for the network adapters + sign and click it. |
| you need to do is make sure it is enabled and the | | | | Look for something under there that should have |
| button on the front (usually) of the laptop is lit up. | | | | the term “wireless” attached to it. If you |
| If a wireless PCMI card is needed in the laptop | | | | see that there then you know everything has |
| computer, then make sure it is compatible with | | | | been configured correctly and all you need to do |
| your brand of computer first. When you install it, | | | | is connect to the available wireless network. |
| make sure you have the driver disk associated | | | | |