going wireless

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widebodyhachi

2 posts

Wannabe Geek

#28485 1-Dec-2008 19:02

really dumb question,I dont know how to tell if my laptop is wireless capable, its got wifi stickered all over it with manafacture option in brackets, i thort i had it in mine acer travelmate 2304lc, I have bought a linksys wireless router to work with tlestra modem done everything but cant get the wireless signal to come up on screen so can adjust the settings etc

raytaylor

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#181465 1-Dec-2008 21:18

On windows xp, click start > control panel > Network Connections
You will see more than one connection.
- Local Area Connection (wired ethernet plug)
- Wireless network connection (what you are looking for)
- 1394 Connection (if your laptop has a firewire plug)
Thats generally how you can tell if its there or not.

On windows vista
Start > Control Panel > Network & Sharing Centre > Manage Network Connections
Same as above.

Let us know what you see

Ray Taylor

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widebodyhachi

2 posts

Wannabe Geek

#181512 2-Dec-2008 07:10

bastard no I dont, so im going to need a pc card or usb adapter then, im guessing its better to try and get same brand adpater as router?
So then I should be right in theory,

With the cards is there anything special required to be done orare they generally plug and play

jfnz

211 posts

Master Geek
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#181558 2-Dec-2008 12:36

Look in device manager.
It's possible it has no drivers installed, or is disabled which is why it wouldn't display in Network Connections.

Why not just post the brand/model number of your laptop here, or better still Google for the specification sheet yourself?
802.11x/wireless adapter is what you're looking for in the specs.

Please note: Any posts, comments, or contributions in this forum are posted by me as an individual acting in my own right and do not necessarily reflect the views of any company I work for, clients I've consulted for, or anyone else.

raytaylor

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#181649 2-Dec-2008 19:10

Brand / model number probably wouldnt give us the exact details

Anyhow the next step as the above poster said, check the device manager.

To access the device manager in windows xp / vista

Click Start > Right click My Computer > Select Manage

or if my computer is on your desktop, right click it and select manage from there.

In the left hand tree, click Device Manager

On the right, you should see it under Network Adapters

If it is not listed under network adapters, it may be under Other with a yellow exclamation ! mark next to it. This should tell us its there, but has an issue to be sorted out.

You probably also have the option of buying a mini-pci wifi adapter. This slots onto the motherboard under a panel on the bottom. It is slightly more expensive than a usb or pccard adapter, but its out of the way and wont get broken from bumping it as there is nothing sticking out.
The mini-pci adapters a few years ago were for when a wifi only came on the expensive models and it gave the salesman an opportunity to upsell you to one.

Ray Taylor

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jfnz

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Master Geek
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#181654 2-Dec-2008 19:27

raytaylor: You probably also have the option of buying a mini-pci wifi adapter. This slots onto the motherboard under a panel on the bottom. It is slightly more expensive than a usb or pccard adapter, but its out of the way and wont get broken from bumping it as there is nothing sticking out.
The mini-pci adapters a few years ago were for when a wifi only came on the expensive models and it gave the salesman an opportunity to upsell you to one

That's a good idea actually, I didn't think of that.

Stryfe

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#181663 2-Dec-2008 20:48

And then... Depending on how (cheap) the manufacturer is, there may or may not be an antenna in the laptop for said mini-pci card (generally in the frame of the flat panel if fitted), if there isnt one built in you may find signal strength issues will be the bane of your existance.

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raytaylor

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#186602 29-Dec-2008 22:36

Stryfe: And then... Depending on how (cheap) the manufacturer is, there may or may not be an antenna in the laptop for said mini-pci card (generally in the frame of the flat panel if fitted), if there isnt one built in you may find signal strength issues will be the bane of your existance.

Right you are. Most generally do have the antennas. You can pop off the cover on the bottom of the laptop and you should see one or 2 wires with little flat / round plugs on the end sticking out. One wire is usually black, the other white.

Ray Taylor

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Aaroona

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#187665 5-Jan-2009 23:11

Or in some cases (some laptops) like mine,

You have three cables because of three antenna's.