wireless connection 3

[goldtooth]

How do I find out exactly which networking hardware, or wifi hardware, I have installed on my pc, if any at all?

 

[vacunita]

Go to Device Manager (Right click My computer-> Properties->Hardware->Device Manager) and check Network Adapters there.

Alternatively, go the PC's Manufacturer's website, and look up the model their. They usually have a list of features of the Pc in question.


----------------------------------
Phil AKA Vacunita
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Ignorance is not necessarily Bliss, case in point:
Unknown has caused an Unknown Error on Unknown and must be shutdown to prevent damage to Unknown.

 

[vacunita]

The above instructions assume the OS is Microsoft XP.

Vista or 7 may be a little different.




----------------------------------
Phil AKA Vacunita
----------------------------------
Ignorance is not necessarily Bliss, case in point:
Unknown has caused an Unknown Error on Unknown and must be shutdown to prevent damage to Unknown.

 

[goldtooth]

OK I have Vista, but I have a nvidia nforce networking controller. The device manager displays "NVIDIA nForce 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet". Does this mean I am set up for a wireless connection? If so, which router would you recommend, please?

 

[goombawaho]

NVIDIA nForce 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet

^^^^ That is a wired/ethernet connection. If no other networking device is listed under Network Adapters, you are NOT set up for wireless and you would have to buy a PCI or PCI-e ethernet card to put in your machine or a USB one.

Examples here - not necessarily recommending these.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...080&cm_re=pci_wireless-_-33-127-080-_-Product

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...4183&cm_re=usb_network-_-33-124-183-_-Product

 

[goombawaho]

Thanks for the star. Tell us if you want brand/model recommendations. If the distance is not too far, you don't need a Wireless N router - wireless G router and adapter would do just fine. Save some money that way.

 

[vacunita]

Yup no wireless there. I can recommend the Belkin USB wireless adapters. Easy to setup and use.

I've got two at home for the desktops, and they work very nicely. They even work with Windows 7.



----------------------------------
Phil AKA Vacunita
----------------------------------
Ignorance is not necessarily Bliss, case in point:
Unknown has caused an Unknown Error on Unknown and must be shutdown to prevent damage to Unknown.

 

[kjv1611]

As far as Wireless G vs Wireless N, I highly recommend going ahead and getting Wireless N. You don't have to get dual-band to get wireless - N, and so oftentimes, currently, you don't really pay much different go to N instead of only G. The good part about that? Also, Wireless N will give you a little bit of extra umph even if right next to the router. It won't feel super different for web browsing, but for video streaming, downloads, transfers between PCs, you can tell some difference.

I'd go with a D-Link DIR-615 for the router - less than $50... as cheap as $30 at times.

For your Wireless card on a desktop, I've had lots of good success with these cheapies (wireless N):

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833180058

Actually, I got one that was different, but that's the closest I could find on NewEgg at the moment...

Okay, they don't currently set it at NewEgg:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833180052

But, a couple other stores sell it... I suppose I'd go witht the 2 antenna deal right now, as it'll save $6, both support up to dualband wireless 6...

http://www.google.com/products?hl=e...esult_group&ct=title&resnum=4&ved=0CB0QrQQwAw

--

"If to err is human, then I must be some kind of human!" -Me

 

[goldtooth]

Thanks, kjv1611 for the info.