Do I need a wireless adaptor?

johnnytee

Just set up wireless broard band in my new house. My partners laptop running vista was able to connect with little hassle.However my laptop, which by computing standards is quite old, is unable to locate the router. My laptop is a Samsung P28, running XP. Do I need an adaptor? How do I find out if I one on board already?

MsRed1

Right click My computer-properties-hardware-device manager-network adapters.

busenbust

Do you see anything marked as 'wireless' under Network adapters in Device Manager?

johnnytee

The only thing listed is: Broadcom 440x10/100 intergrated controller. I guess that's a no then! Are these adaptors expensive?

busenbust

johnnytee wrote: »

The only thing listed is: Broadcom 440x10/100 intergrated controller. I guess that's a no then! Are these adaptors expensive?

That is the hardwired Ethernet card; wireless adapters are dirt cheap nowadays;)

Just an example for you.

fuzzball172

You can pick then up quite cheap on ebay, stick with netgear, good all round bit of kit. Stay away from belkin, they are usually tempremental.

Depending on what type of wireless protocol you router has (b+g or N) the cost of the kit will differ. A USB wifi adaptor would be the easiest to install. If you have an older b+g network, then a WG111 (£5-£10) will be the cheapest, if you have a wireless N (£15-£20) the the WN111 would be the better deal as you get a faster speed and possibly a greater range.