Adding a wireless network adapter to your desktop computer is a snap, literally. Just plug it in, and if necessary, install the accompanying software. Adapters come as expansion cards that fit inside your PC and have an antenna that attaches to the back of the PC's case, as a USB device that plugs into a USB port, or for laptop computers, as a PC Card the slides into the PC slot on the side of your laptop PC.
Install a Wireless Network Adapter in Your Computer
Open your computer's case, making sure to protect your PC from any static electricity on your body by wearing a grounding strap and unplugging any cord or cable that can bring electricity into your PC.
If you're installing an external wireless network adapter that uses a USB connector, just plug it into your computer and you're done.
Take your wireless adapter out of the box and read the installation directions.
Insert the card in an open PCI slot in your computer. Gently push down on the top of the card until it's seated in the slot and fasten the card to the chassis with a screw.
A screw that fastens the card to the chassis should be provided with the card. If not, you can get a screw at any computer store.
- If the adapter has an external antenna, fasten it to the outside of the adapter card.
Install a Wireless Network Adapter in Windows XP
After you have installed your wireless network adapter and turned on your computer, Windows XP may recognize the adapter and automatically install drivers. If it does, the network icon should appear in the lower right-hand corner of your computer screen and you'll be ready to go. However, the installation procedure can be very different for different makes and models, so before you do anything, carefully read the installation instructions that came with your wireless network adapter. Here are the instructions for a typical installation:
With the new wireless adapter installed, turn on your computer.
Windows XP should recognize the new adapter and automatically run the Found New Hardware Wizard. At the Welcome screen, place the adapter's software installation CD into the CD-ROM drive and select Install the Software Automatically (Recommended). Click Next (see Figure 1).
Figure 1: Select Install The Software Automatically (Recommended).
- The installation should complete. Click Finish.
- You should see the Network icon in the system tray on the bottom-right corner of your screen.
Right-click the Network icon and select View Available Wireless Networks.
You may see more than one network listed. It's not uncommon to see a neighbor's wireless network.
Check the Allow Me To Connect To The Selected Wireless Network Even Though It Is Not Secure box and then double-click the name of your network. You should see the Wireless Network Connection Status screen (see Figure 2).
Figure 2: The Wireless Network Connection Status screen will confirm you have a good connection.
- To enable WEP or WPA encryption, click the Properties button and the Wireless Network tab. Select your network, click the Configure button, and follow the instructions that came with your adapter and router.
