Is my computer wireless enabled?

foreversummer

Hi

Can anyone please tell me how I can tell if my computer is wireless enabled. I've gone to the control panel and clicked on network connections but there is nothing there that says anything about wireless.

I can see my current broadband connection and there is also an icon that mentions LAN settings.

If not, is it possible to upgrade it without too much hassle, ie is there something I can plug in?

The computer is a Packard Bell and is 2 years old.

Any advice greatly appreciated.

Foreversummer

espresso

Very unlikely unless it's a two year old laptop.

totalsolutions

Model No. would be nice to check for you. Is it a laptop?
2yrs old...maybe, Parkard Bell .... maybe not..made to a price.

You will need to buy a "pcmcia" network adaptor card for the lappy from £5
For a desktop you need a pci network adaptor card again from £5 and a cat5 cable patch cable to reach your router lan socket at the rear for a cabled connection.
For a wireless deasktop connectivity a pci wireless network adaptor card would be required from £35 (guessing), with this option you need to open the desktop and check for a spare pci socket on the motherboard (a white coloured slot).

foreversummer

Hi, thanks for replying.

It is a desktop computer.

So it seems it will be necessary to have something fitted to the motherboard (above me, so I will need to take it either to PC World of a local shop).

I've seen something advertised on the internet called a Wireless USB Network Adaptor that seems to plug into a USB socket. Does this not do the job?

Sorry, but I really do not have a clue.

Thanks for your patience.

Foreversummer

aardvarkuk

Yes a USB dongle will do or a PCI card its upto you really, but dont go to PC World as youll only end up buying a printer and no dongle, :rolleyes:

robt_2

foreversummer wrote: »

Hi, thanks for replying.

It is a desktop computer.

So it seems it will be necessary to have something fitted to the motherboard (above me, so I will need to take it either to PC World of a local shop).

I've seen something advertised on the internet called a Wireless USB Network Adaptor that seems to plug into a USB socket. Does this not do the job?

Sorry, but I really do not have a clue.

Thanks for your patience.

Foreversummer

Yes that will work.

PeteMc

If it's a desktop, easiest way to tell is if you have a short stubby aerial in the back or a connector that looks if an aerial can screw into it. Not a TV aerial socket though (they just slide onto the connector). If not, follow totalsolutions guide above.

One of my PC's is a 4 year old Medion Desktop and it came with a wireless card as standard.

vernall

sorry to hijack someone elses post but just a quicky question

i am about to move in with a friend...i have a newish laptop that i currently run wirelessly....my friend has a desktop pc about 3 years old.......will it just be a case of connecting his pc to my wireless modem via the ethernet cable or is it not that simple?

this is my wireless modem
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/122152

thanks

aardvarkuk

Yes by ethernet or if he had a wireless card or dongle he will be ok

vernall

he has none of that but does have an ethernet socket,the modem will be where his pc is,so ethernet it is

thank you very much

espresso

vernall wrote: »

will it just be a case of connecting his pc to my wireless modem via the ethernet cable or is it not that simple?

this is my wireless modem
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/122152

thanks

Providing that your friends broadband is ADSL and not cable.