I've been looking to buy a wifi for some time. I got a question. My brother was trying to hook up the wifi to my computer and he had it hooked up but couldn't really get "online". He kept saying it was my modem but I doubt it was. I heard you have to have a wireless network card or something to get wifi but I see on my Control Panel, you can set up a wireless network. So my question is do I need a card or can I still try to set up a wireless network to get wifi? Thanks for any answers come my way. Also I'm set to get a new computer of some sort. Definitely something not XP but Windows 7. So excited.

I've been looking to buy a wifi for some time. My brother was trying to hook up the wifi to my computer and he had it hooked up but couldn't really get "online". He kept saying it was my modem but I doubt it was.

I assume you mean you're trying to install a Wifi "router", to enable laptops/tablets/smart phones to access the internet?

I heard you have to have a wireless network card or something to get wifi but I see on my Control Panel, you can set up a wireless network. So my question is do I need a card or can I still try to set up a wireless network to get wifi?

Yes, a computer (laptop or desktop) will need a wireless network card to connect to a Wifi network, but pretty much all computers sold in the last few years have come with them built in. You'll need to check if yours has one built in, which I'm not sure how to do on a Windows PC.

I don't think setting up a wireless network is what you want to do, as that sounds to me like it's for a different situation - ie where you have a number of computers in the same building which you want to transfer files between....I think what you're wanting to do instead of that (since you talk about getting "online"), is "connect to a Wifi network" which will be associated with your router.

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The first thing you need to do when you get a new Wifi router, is go into it's setup screen, create a name for it and setup a password. Have you done that?

Timmy, get your computer with no OS pre-installed, so you can install Linux on it, NOT shitty Win 7.

domainator2010 said:

Timmy, get your computer with no OS pre-installed, so you can install Linux on it, NOT shitty Win 7.

How is Win 7 shitty?

^^ I see... I don't think mine's has a wireless network attached to it. My brother rented me his desktop and I believe it's as old as Methuselah. I was thinking of getting a laptop with a wireless network attached to it.

I think Windows 8 is solid once you learn to forget the "start" button

JoeTyler said:

I think Windows 8 is solid once you learn to forget the "start" button

Win 8 looks like it'll be best used on a tablet.

I'm actually thinking of either getting one with Win 7 or Linux installed on it with the wifi...

Timmy84 said:

JoeTyler said:

I think Windows 8 is solid once you learn to forget the "start" button

Win 8 looks like it'll be best used on a tablet.

I'm actually thinking of either getting one with Win 7 or Linux installed on it with the wifi...

it also has the classic desktop option!

the "tablet-like" meu is like an expanded start-up menu, useful for the daily programs...

and about the wifi, I'm not a big fan, but that's just me, since I download many gigabytes of content on a weekly basis...

JoeTyler said:

Timmy84 said:

Win 8 looks like it'll be best used on a tablet.

I'm actually thinking of either getting one with Win 7 or Linux installed on it with the wifi...

it also has the classic desktop option!

the "tablet-like" meu is like an expanded start-up menu, useful for the daily programs...

and about the wifi, I'm not a big fan, but that's just me, since I download many gigabytes of content on a weekly basis...

I've always been intrigued by the wifi... I even see a popular quote on Tumblr about it: "do I get wifi in Hell?"

Timmy84 said:

JoeTyler said:

it also has the classic desktop option!

the "tablet-like" meu is like an expanded start-up menu, useful for the daily programs...

and about the wifi, I'm not a big fan, but that's just me, since I download many gigabytes of content on a weekly basis...

I've always been intrigued by the wifi... I even see a popular quote on Tumblr about it: "do I get wifi in Hell?"

this may sound silly, but Wifi has about 20-25% less downloading capacity than cable DSL

and I don't like to be surrounded by waves and shit

but of course Wifi has many advantages...

JoeTyler said:

Timmy84 said:

I've always been intrigued by the wifi... I even see a popular quote on Tumblr about it: "do I get wifi in Hell?"

this may sound silly, but Wifi has about 20-25% less downloading capacity than cable DSL

and I don't like to be surrounded by waves and shit

but of course Wifi has many advantages...

Are you serious??? I use cable DSL now. I get told by my brother that wifi's faster.

Timmy84 said:

JoeTyler said:

this may sound silly, but Wifi has about 20-25% less downloading capacity than cable DSL

and I don't like to be surrounded by waves and shit

but of course Wifi has many advantages...

Are you serious??? I use cable DSL now. I get told by my brother that wifi's faster.

oh yes, technically Wifi IS faster, but wireless can SUFFER from interferences, path obstructions, Fresnel diffraction, weather, folliage attenuation, etc.

in my opinion the best choice is adding a Wi-Fi router to an existing DSL connection, then you have covered both options, just in case

JoeTyler said:

Timmy84 said:

Are you serious??? I use cable DSL now. I get told by my brother that wifi's faster.

oh yes, technically Wifi IS faster, but wireless can SUFFER from interferences, path obstructions, Fresnel diffraction, weather, folliage attenuation, etc.

in my opinion the best choice is adding a Wi-Fi router to an existing DSL connection, then you have covered both options, just in case

Oh I don't just plan to use just wifi. I got my existing DSL connection and we're going to get a router (I think).

Timmy84 said:

JoeTyler said:

oh yes, technically Wifi IS faster, but wireless can SUFFER from interferences, path obstructions, Fresnel diffraction, weather, folliage attenuation, etc.

in my opinion the best choice is adding a Wi-Fi router to an existing DSL connection, then you have covered both options, just in case

Oh I don't just plan to use just wifi. I got my existing DSL connection and we're going to get a router (I think).

JoeTyler said:

Timmy84 said:

Oh I don't just plan to use just wifi. I got my existing DSL connection and we're going to get a router (I think).

back at cha lol

JoeTyler said:

I think Windows 8 is solid once you learn to forget the "start" button

It'll probably take twice the RAM and CPU as Linux to do the same thing.

And, not really the same thing anyway, as Linux'll prolly be doing much more under the hood.

i use Win7 and i love it

you can make your desktop wireless with usb dongle

I'm gonna have to get that wireless PC-I card and have my brother or someone from Best Buy install it (and for some reason I rather the Best Buy dude do it) and then afterwards I can just hook up the router and I'll be done with it. I didn't know you had to use a password for that shit. We never got taught that shit in college.

I can't imagine life without wifi!

I first got it for my old computer. I had to get a USB antenna that would pick it up. Now with a laptop & iPhone, it is simply the way to go. I don't want to be connected to wires. I am sure downloads could be faster, but it's still the fastest connection I have ever had.

NDRU said:

I can't imagine life without wifi!

I first got it for my old computer. I had to get a USB antenna that would pick it up. Now with a laptop & iPhone, it is simply the way to go. I don't want to be connected to wires. I am sure downloads could be faster, but it's still the fastest connection I have ever had.

It's been years since I had a laptop and I'm seriously thinking of getting it, especially one with wifi in it. Hooking it up on a desktop is just too much. And I hope we make that decision to just buy a laptop with a wifi card in it so all we can do is get the router and just set it up.

Timmy84 said:

bigd74 said:

Timmy84 said:

It's been years since I had a laptop and I'm seriously thinking of getting it, especially one with wifi in it. Hooking it up on a desktop is just too much. And I hope we make that decision to just buy a laptop with a wifi card in it so all we can do is get the router and just set it up.

I think WiFi is pretty much a standard in laptops these days

I'm starting to think so too. I bet when I go to Best Buy tomorrow, they'll probably tell me it's best to buy a laptop with wifi in it than buy a wifi card to put it in the desktop. Especially old ass desktops. Of course we have to get a laptop at a lower price!

Get a router and a new laptop and then you're set... I'm never going back to the desktop again!

bigd74 said:

i use Win7 and i love it

in that case, you're going to be blown away by Linux try it on a live CD, which will run FROM the CD, without any installing required, before you switch, if you don't believe me

Timmy84 said:

I've been looking to buy a wifi for some time. I got a question. My brother was trying to hook up the wifi to my computer and he had it hooked up but couldn't really get "online". He kept saying it was my modem but I doubt it was. I heard you have to have a wireless network card or something to get wifi but I see on my Control Panel, you can set up a wireless network. So my question is do I need a card or can I still try to set up a wireless network to get wifi? Thanks for any answers come my way. Also I'm set to get a new computer of some sort. Definitely something not XP but Windows 7. So excited.

These days, all new desktops, laptops, and tablets have wifi cards in them. If your computer cannot get any wifi signals (mostly likely because you have a old desktop or laptop), it's because you don't have a wifi card at all. But there are options:

http://www.ccrane.com/WiFi

http://www.bestbuy.com/si...cat0503007

^ I rather buy a laptop with a wifi installed in it rather than buy the wifi card itself and then having the arduous task of installing it. Besides I need a update on my computer anyway.

Timmy84 said:

^ I rather buy a laptop with a wifi installed in it rather than buy the wifi card itself and then having the arduous task of installing it. Besides I need a update on my computer anyway.

In 2013, I was able to find a used laptop for only $200, with 4 GB RAM, Intel i3 processor, built-in wifi card, and all. All I had to do was removed Windows 7 by installing a Linux distro (Debian) and I've been a happy laptop user since.

You will be amaze how many laptops you can find in pawn shops that are still in excellent conditions.

TonyVanDam said:

Timmy84 said:

^ I rather buy a laptop with a wifi installed in it rather than buy the wifi card itself and then having the arduous task of installing it. Besides I need a update on my computer anyway.

In 2013, I was able to find a used laptop for only $200, with 4 GB RAM, Intel i3 processor, built-in wifi card, and all. All I had to do was removed Windows 7 by installing a Linux distro (Debian) and I've been a happy laptop user since.

You will be amaze how many laptops you can find in pawn shops that are still in excellent conditions.

Cool. There's lots of laptops on sale for that or less. I'm interested in seeing if there are any Linux laptops out there. I'm sure there are.

I have one of these:

http://www.apple.com/airport-express/

You plug your modem into it, plug it into the wall, do a 5-minute set-up on your computer (don't forget to password protect your network) and ba-da-boom ba-da-bing - WiFi.

[Edited 3/3/14 10:55am]

Genesia said:

I have one of these:

http://www.apple.com/airport-express/

You plug your modem into it, plug it into the wall, do a 5-minute set-up on your computer (don't forget to password protect your network) and ba-da-boom ba-da-bing - WiFi.

[Edited 3/3/14 10:55am]

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They're great because they also have an audio output so you can play tunes to your stereo from laptop/iphone/ipod/ipad wirelessly!

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