Has my desktop got Wi-Fi?

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beenz

444 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 165972 26-Feb-2015 12:25

How can I tell if my desk top is wi-fi enabled? (apart from unplugging the router which is a bit awkward)

I want to re-position my router to another location in the house but need to make sure my desktop is wi-fi enabled first.

Thanks

Bernard

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# 1247012 26-Feb-2015 12:36

Google search make / model and then check the specs

Sideface

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# 1247015 26-Feb-2015 12:43

Very few desktop PCs have WiFi as standard.
Look at the back for two Wi-Fi antenna connector holes (typically a pair of screw-on brass fittings) &/or antennae.
You could retrofit a WiFi card if you have a slot vacant.

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wasabi2k

2091 posts

Uber Geek

# 1247020 26-Feb-2015 12:46

More than likely not.

If you open computer management (start/run compmgmt.msc) then go to System Tools, Device Manager.

Under Network Adapters what do you see?

If you don't, USB wifi adapters are super cheap:
http://pricespy.co.nz/category.php?m=s209953952&o=produkt_pris_inkmoms#prodlista

robjg63

2980 posts

Uber Geek

# 1247021 26-Feb-2015 12:48

All in one PCs are quite common now and many of them do have wifi built-in.
What make/model is your desktop?

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

Jase2985

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# 1247024 26-Feb-2015 12:53

hard to tell you if you dont tell us what you have :)

johnr

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# 1247025 26-Feb-2015 12:55

If not buy a USB WiFi dongle

beenz

444 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 1247040 26-Feb-2015 13:06

Thanks guys, no wi-fi in this PC.

I am going to go with either a USB wireless adaptor or a new router to extend the range of my wi-fi.

Not sure which is the best solution?

My problem is to extend the range of my wi-fi so it covers my sleep out and to do this I have to either move my router nearer the sleep out (and get a wireless adaptor for my desktop)

Or get a router with a longer range at the moment I am using the standard vodafone home gateway SHG 1500
which does the job but gives a very weak signal at the sleep out.

I do not mind spending a couple of hundred if it will fix the problem as my thoughts are that the internet on my desktop will slow down if I use wi-fi on it as rather than a direct connection.

Thoughts appreciated please.

Sideface

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# 1247044 26-Feb-2015 13:15

How far away is your sleepout?
Line-of-sight with the house?
Is it on the same mains power circuit as the house?

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Jase2985

8874 posts

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# 1247045 26-Feb-2015 13:17

move the router, and get and adapter for your computer

beenz

444 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 1247132 26-Feb-2015 14:45

Sideface: How far away is your sleepout?

I would say 20-30m
Line-of-sight with the house?

Yes

Is it on the same mains power circuit as the house?

Yes

blakamin

4431 posts

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Inactive user

# 1247135 26-Feb-2015 14:49

Jase2985: move the router, and get and adapter for your computer

Which will slow down your PC.

Looked at a range extender?

beenz

444 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 1247149 26-Feb-2015 15:05

I am thinking of maybe a new router with a better range, maybe something with a range extender built in or just a good long range router that will work over say 30m or more ??
Any recommendations ?

Thanks

Sideface

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# 1247151 26-Feb-2015 15:11

beenz:
Sideface: Is it on the same mains power circuit as the house?

Yes

"ethernet over power" = "powerline ethernet adapter" would give you fast ethernet in the sleepout, if that's what you want.

eg TP-Link TL-PA211KIT

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wasabi2k

2091 posts

Uber Geek

# 1247152 26-Feb-2015 15:13

how about you move the router closer to the sleep out and see if it covers it.

If it does - buy a USB wifi adapter for desktop.

Total price: $20.

Don't go buying a router ($100+) if you aren't sure it will work.

beenz

444 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 1247154 26-Feb-2015 15:14

wasabi2k: how about you move the router closer to the sleep out and see if it covers it.

It will cover it, but it is not the way i want to go as it will slow down my desktop internet.

If it does - buy a USB wifi adapter for desktop.

Total price: $20.

Don't go buying a router ($100+) if you aren't sure it will work.

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