PC has no wireless ability - help please!

welshpolarbear

Hi there, I wonder if anyone can help, I have read through the "sticky" links at the front but can't seem to find the answer, would be grateful for a point in the right direction or any advice.

We bought a PC yesterday after researching, but being not so up with the technology we didn't realise it had no wireless unitl I tried to connect to our Virgin Wireless router. So now we need to get either a USB Wireless modem or something similar. Am I correct? I don't know where to begin and am desperate to use our shiny new PC!! Help!!!

(PS: could connect direct to modem via ethernet cable but the location is so awkward and cable so short this isn't even worth doing temporarily as would block the view of the TV! LOL)

Sazzarella

If you already have a wireless router then all you need is a wireless dongle. I use this along with the D-Link router that was supplied by Virgin but obviously D-Link do their own dongle and there are various other makes that will also work.

welshpolarbear

Thank you, we have a netgear wireless router that was supplied by virgin so this would be compatible. Does it work just fine for you then? Im assuming we will never get close to 54mbps so there is probably no need to get a faster usb dongle?

I appreciate the help. Thanks.

Sazzarella

Yeah it works fine. Just run the disk that comes with it and enter the network and password and it works fine. Ive never needed the faster dongle but I suppose it depends what your going to be using the PC for. If gaming (MMORPGs) then your probably better with an ethernet cable to get the best out of your internet.

welshpolarbear

Just for internet mainly so think we'll be fine with this.
Many thanks.

GunJack

WHOAH !!!! DO NOT run the CD that comes with any dongle. Use Windows to manage the wifi connection. You'll need the CD JUST to install the driver for the dongle.

1. plug dongle into pc
2. let windows detect the new hardware
3. let the new hardware wizard run
4. At the relevant point in thw wizard, insert the cd and let windows install the driver

If you just run the CD, you'll get all sorts of other carp that you don't need installed on the pc

welshpolarbear

GunJack wrote: »

WHOAH !!!! DO NOT run the CD that comes with any dongle. Use Windows to manage the wifi connection. You'll need the CD JUST to install the driver for the dongle.

1. plug dongle into pc
2. let windows detect the new hardware
3. let the new hardware wizard run
4. At the relevant point in thw wizard, insert the cd and let windows install the driver

If you just run the CD, you'll get all sorts of other carp that you don't need installed on the pc

Great advice thanks, our laptop drowned in slowness from installing too much stuff.

DCFC79

welshpolarbear wrote: »

Just for internet mainly so think we'll be fine with this.
Many thanks.

is the router in the next room to the pc

welshpolarbear

It's in the room but the pc is the other side of it (approx 20ft) there's no room next to it (at all!!)

Inner_Zone

Why not use an Ethernet cable, lot cheaper about £3 and very little if any setting up?

John_Gray

I would seriously look at the possibility of laying an ethernet patch cable of the correct length round the sides of the room between the router and the PC. This avoids any problems with wireless connectivity, and may well be cheaper (provided you don't buy the cable from PC World, or suchlike...). You can find cable lengths like 5 m, 8 m, 10 m, 15 m, 20 m or 30 m from all sorts of places, such as Broadband Buyer, eBuyer, Play, etc. at probably well less than £10. And (with difficulty) you can get them in pink!