Installing a wireless network adapter card is similar to installing an Ethernet card. The NIC (network interface card)  comes in various sizes and types for your computer, be it a desktop with a PCI slot or a USB or  CardBus PC Card slot for a notebook.

Many new computers—especially laptops, like those that use Intel’s Centrino or Sonoma mobile technology, have the wireless adapter built right in, because that’s part of the Centrino deal. The Centrino systems all include a wireless card, energy-efficient processors, and long-life batteries right out of the box.

If your laptop or desktop didn’t come with wireless support, you can buy a wireless card for it. Like wired Ethernet adapters, wireless network adapters come in a three basic varieties: PCI cards for desktop computers, USB adapters for any computer with a USB port, and PC Cards that fit in laptop card slots.

linksys-wireless-pciPCI card – Card that fits into the PCI expansion slot inside a Windows desktop computer. To install this type of card, you have to open your computer’s case, find an empty PCI slot and insert the card into the slot.

PC card – Card that fits in the PCMCIA slot that is present on dlink-wireless-pc-cardmost laptops. Also called PCMCIA cards. The PC Card is a device approximately with the size of a credit card. It contains a very small built-in Wi-Fi broadcasting radio antenna. Some models also feature built-in LED lights that display the device status.These cards are very easy to install. The only requirement is to have a free PC card (PCMCIA) slot on your laptop.

linksys_compact_wireless_g_usb_adaptorUSB – USB adapters are probably the easiest to install. Adding a USB wireless network adapter is  almost as easy as plugging in a set of headphones. You don’t even need to stop Windows when installing such device. The only thing you need is a free USB port on your PC.

Installation.

1. Turn the computer off (only for PCI cards).
2. If you’re installing to a desktop computer, remove screws on the back of your computer, open the computer case and locate an  empty PCI slot for the network card. Remove the small metal panel covering the opening of the slot  and insert the card. You may need to remove the antenna from the network adapter during the installation. Make sure that the card is properly seated.  Replace the screws, the cover and the antenna.  Then turn the computer on.

If you’re installing the card to a notebook or similar computer with a PC (PCMCIA) slot, insert the card, making sure it is properly placed and that you hear the click to verify the card is all the way in.

If you’re using a USB network  adapter, just connect your USB adapter to  one of the unused USB ports of your PC.

3. When the operating system finds the card, it will ask to install the drivers. Use the CD or the diskette that came with the card . Follow the instructions on the disk. If you have trouble locating or installing the drivers, consult with the manual for your device or try to repeat the installation.

4. If your wireless card is installed properly, you have to see a new network connection icon in  Start > Control Panel > Network and Internet Connections > Network Connections, as well as  icon in the lower right corner, indicating that your wireless card is working. Then you will be notified if there are any wireless networks in range.

new-wireless-connection

new-network-connection

Now you are ready  to set up your home wireless network. The next step is to establish connection between your computer and your wireless router .

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