What is needed to enable an old PC to pick up wi-fi

WLM21

We have had an old Dell PC linked via wire to our router, but our son fancies using it now.

What do I need to buy to enable it to connect to the router via wi-fi ?

I vaguely remember you can get something that sits in a USB slot and connects via wi-fi

We have a couple of long ethernet cables, but I would rather not have to start drilling holes etc.

Many thanks !

glentoran99

you can use powerline adapters or get a wifi dongle, Id recommend the powerline adapters

grumpycrab

WLM21 wrote: »

We have had an old Dell PC linked via wire to our router, but our son fancies using it now.

How far away will the PC be from the router and how many walls between the 2.
If they're close then any "usb wifi adapter" (look up on Amazon) will do.
If router and PC are both near spare power sockets then, as alread said, powerline is good.
e.g. http://www.ebuyer.com/720596-d-link-powerline-av-500-hd-starter-kit-dhp-509av-b

WLM21

Thank you for the replies

I'll try a USB dongle first.

Oh yes .. I actually had one of those previously for a laptop .. I was using the 'Three network' when I was away from home. Somebody suggested that or tethering my phone to the laptop.

Cycrow

WLM21 wrote: »

Thank you for the replies

I'll try a USB dongle first.

Oh yes .. I actually had one of those previously for a laptop .. I was using the 'Three network' when I was away from home. Somebody suggested that or tethering my phone to the laptop.

Those dongles are not the same thing.

All you need is a usb wifi adapter, which will allow you to connect to your existing router.

The usb dongles, like the 3 one, wont connect to your router, they will have a separate internet connection over the mobile networks (and will cost you to use it)

roddydogs

£4 on E-Bay

indesisiv

Can you not just grab something like this for £2.50 ?

googler

PCI WiFi card (assuming it's a desktop)

Internal component, so won't use up one of the USB ports....

Kernel_Sanders

grumpycrab wrote: »

If router and PC are both near spare power sockets then, as alread said, powerline is good.
e.g. http://www.ebuyer.com/720596-d-link-powerline-av-500-hd-starter-kit-dhp-509av-b

I don't have a router, so was wondering if this would pick up the mobile signal from a smartphone's portable hotspot facility and transmit it through the mains. Do these things cause TV interference?

Cycrow

Kernel_Sanders wrote: »

I don't have a router, so was wondering if this would pick up the mobile signal from a smartphone's portable hotspot facility and transmit it through the mains. Do these things cause TV interference?

No, those adapters replace a cable, so they need to plug into a router at one end.

instead you can get wifi extenders, which will extend the range of your mobile hotspot