USB Wi-Fi adapter

worried_jim
worried_jim Posts: 11,631 Forumite
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in Techie Stuff
My (2007 Acer Vista) pc is hard wired for the internet. Can I connect wireless by just buying a USB Wi-Fi adapter and plugging it in?

(yes, I have wifi)

If so can anyone recommend what I need?

Jim.
«134

Comments

  • molerat
    molerat Posts: 34,234 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    I have tried a few, including the £1.50 cheapo from China ones, and not found any major variations as long as you have a reasonable wi-fi signal in the house.
  • RumRat
    RumRat Posts: 4,967 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    USB Novel WiFi adapter
    Install the driver (From CD or online) then plug and play.
    My sister bought one of these and it's worked well. The advantage of using both 2Ghz and 5 Ghz is always a bonus if they are available.
    Drinking Rum before 10am makes you
    A PIRATE
    Not an Alcoholic...!
  • worried_jim
    worried_jim Posts: 11,631 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    RumRat wrote: »
    USB Novel WiFi adapter
    Install the driver (From CD or online) then plug and play.
    My sister bought one of these and it's worked well. The advantage of using both 2Ghz and 5 Ghz is always a bonus if they are available.

    Ordered. Coming tomorrow. Having carpets fitted on Monday so all my cabling is coming up.
  • GunJack
    GunJack Posts: 11,796 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Any/every Acer lappy from 2007 will have a wifi card in it...have you turned it off by accident??
    ......Gettin' There, Wherever There is......

    I have a dodgy "i" key, so ignore spelling errors due to "i" issues, ...I blame Apple :D
  • worried_jim
    worried_jim Posts: 11,631 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    GunJack wrote: »
    Any/every Acer lappy from 2007 will have a wifi card in it...have you turned it off by accident??

    PC not laptop.
  • GunJack
    GunJack Posts: 11,796 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    worried_jim wrote: »
    PC not laptop.

    OOps, misread :)
    ......Gettin' There, Wherever There is......

    I have a dodgy "i" key, so ignore spelling errors due to "i" issues, ...I blame Apple :D
  • poppellerant
    poppellerant Posts: 1,963 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    I can't help myself by saying nothing beats a wired connection. Far less to go wrong, no random disconnections and consistently faster.

    That's to say 5GHz wireless isn't fine for a few Youtube videos and websites. But if you game and download like me, I would never consider a wireless connection unless in an emergency.
  • molerat
    molerat Posts: 34,234 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    I have found the little usb plug ins don't work very well in a rear socket of a large metal box tower.
  • worried_jim
    worried_jim Posts: 11,631 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    molerat wrote: »
    I have found the little usb plug ins don't work very well in a rear socket of a large metal box tower.

    Good to know, its just been delivered. I've plugged it in the back and so far so good. Took a few mins to get up and ruining but all seems fine now.
  • kwikbreaks
    kwikbreaks Posts: 9,187 Forumite
    If it does turn out to be slow or unreliable a simpe USB extension lead to put the adapter in the clear may improve things
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