wireless Card

stashmycash

I am trying to set up wireless network for 3 Dell computers.

As the computers are all only a few yearts old, is it possible that they already have inbuilt cards for wireless connection and if so how can I tell?

Halloway

stashmycash wrote: »

I am trying to set up wireless network for 3 Dell computers.

As the computers are all only a few yearts old, is it possible that they already have inbuilt cards for wireless connection and if so how can I tell?

Laptops or desktops? Usually the best way to find out is to install XP and see if there are any wireless cards present. Laptops rarely have external physical indication except for stickers. A desktop would probably have a PCI card at the back with an aerial attached.

Possibly (and I could be wrong) your machines might have Dell tag codes and you might be able to enter these into the Dell support site to see precisely what you have.

ormus

all modern laptops will have wireless built in.
very few if any, desktops have wireless.
as been said. an aerial at the back of the desktop, is the giveaway.

stashmycash

Thanks for your reply.
They are all desktops.

stashmycash

They don't have aeriels.

So is it easiest to buy usb adapters?

robt_2

stashmycash wrote: »

They don't have aeriels.

So is it easiest to buy usb adapters?

Easiest, yes.

espresso

Does it have to be wireless? Desktops don't tend to move much. Do you have Ethernet ports?

stashmycash

espresso wrote: »

Does it have to be wireless? Desktops don't tend to move much. Do you have Ethernet ports?

Yes they have ethernet ports, but I hate wires and they are on different floors.

ormus

then you can try a dongle. in my experience dongles arent too clever.
get one and try it in each puter at each station.
i prefer a wireless card. better aerial. and you can possibly extend the aerial for each puter.

siting the router could well be crucial.

totalsolutions

Cable is the best way via ethernet (cat5) and not now by USB, as you have now stated that the PC's are scattered over several floors and USB leads are only 3-4metres in lenght, a cat 5 cable can be 100metres.

>Yes they have ethernet ports, but I hate wires and they are on different floors.
There lies another possible problem wireless does not go up and down through walls and ceilings and your neighbours wireless can cause signal distruption.
As you have the ports already then use them. Connect together with a router/switch or hub.

stashmycash

totalsolutions wrote: »

Cable is the best way via ethernet (cat5) and not now by USB, as you have now stated that the PC's are scattered over several floors and USB leads are only 3-4metres in lenght, a cat 5 cable can be 100metres.

>Yes they have ethernet ports, but I hate wires and they are on different floors.
There lies another possible problem wireless does not go up and down through walls and ceilings and your neighbours wireless can cause signal distruption.
As you have the ports already then use them. Connect together with a router/switch or hub.

Now I'm really confused. I've got a router with a double firewall that shows it covering a large area of the house. I thought I just needed usb adaptors for the other computers.