Connecting second pc to wireless. idiot level advice required ;-)

dawnteabag

Hi
Having spent all yesterday setting up my new laptop and wifi. Woohoo!
I decided to overreach myself and set the pc up on the network too so DS can use it in his room.
Why does everything have to be so complicated:mad:
Long story short, I haven't managed it (yet) but wondered whether I am going to have to physically attach the pc io the router at any stage in the installation process. (this might not be as stupid a question as it sounds -I didnt have to do anything to get my ipod to find the network)

Only reason I ask is that I'd like to get the pc moved this weekend but if we're going to have to lnk it to the modem for setup, I'll have to keep it downstairs - I don't have a wire long enough to run upstairs.

Secondly, I'm wondering whther my pc doesn't have a wifi antenna or whatever it is inside it - it's not that old - probably 2006 bought I can't work out why else it wouldn't work _ I've tried with and without wires for connection. Does anyone know how I would check?

btw its a dlink router and a gateway pc

DCFC79

dawnteabag wrote: »

Hi
Having spent all yesterday setting up my new laptop and wifi. Woohoo!
I decided to overreach myself and set the pc up on the network too so DS can use it in his room.
Why does everything have to be so complicated:mad:
Long story short, I haven't managed it (yet) but wondered whether I am going to have to physically attach the pc io the router at any stage in the installation process. (this might not be as stupid a question as it sounds -I didnt have to do anything to get my ipod to find the network)

Only reason I ask is that I'd like to get the pc moved this weekend but if we're going to have to lnk it to the modem for setup, I'll have to keep it downstairs - I don't have a wire long enough to run upstairs.

Secondly, I'm wondering whther my pc doesn't have a wifi antenna or whatever it is inside it - it's not that old - probably 2006 bought I can't work out why else it wouldn't work _ I've tried with and without wires for connection. Does anyone know how I would check?

btw its a dlink router and a gateway pc

yes usually if its wireless there would be an ariel at the back of the pc so if you can have a gander at the rear of the pc, ive not heard of 1 being inside the pc so maybe soemone could confirm that,

something like this would do the job

busenbust

Going into system properties /device manager/Network adapters: might also help: look for wifi adapter/card - not just PCI card.

dawnteabag

busenbust wrote: »

Going into system properties /device manager/Network adapters: might also help: look for wifi adapter/card - not just PCI card.

thanks - it says I have
1394 net adaptor
Intel PRO1100 VE Network connection
and my modem

do any of them seem likely?

thanks to all for your help so far

dawnteabag

and if we assume that I do need to buy an adaptor, when that arrives will I need to physically attach PC modem and router togather to instal? If not, I'll get lifting it upstairs

busenbust

dawnteabag wrote: »

thanks - it says I have
1394 net adaptor
Intel PRO1100 VE Network connection
and my modem

do any of them seem likely?

thanks to all for your help so far

as i thought - no, that is merely your wired Ethernet connection. wireless adapters are very inexpensive now -- couple of quid . Try Amazon.

HTH

st999

If you don't have an internal wireless network card, and most desktop PCs don't, you will have to get a USB wireless adapter, something like this

http://www.google.co.uk/products/catalog?hl=en&biw=1916&bih=903&q=netgear+usb+wireless+adapter&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=14639439284495459005&ei=2UK7TIXzF8O24QaR85ypDg&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0CDAQ8wIwAw#

this isn't a recommendation to buy what you see on this page, it is just showing what you need.

jayme1

usb adaptors can be unreliable, it is better to use an internal PCI wireless card like one of these

busenbust

jayme1 wrote: »

usb adaptors can be unreliable, it is better to use an internal PCI wireless card like one of these

agreed, they are temperamental things

busenbust

dawnteabag wrote: »

and if we assume that I do need to buy an adaptor, when that arrives will I need to physically attach PC modem and router togather to instal? If not, I'll get lifting it upstairs

u should not need to -- the wireless device (pc) should automatically 'see' the router, all other things being equal -- wep key etc. just as with your working laptop

HTH

DCFC79

How confident are you at taking it apart to fit the pci card, its easy to do