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How to connect desktop to Lynksis router? HELP PLEASE!!!!? - EA Hello, So, i ordered a brand new custom desktop with Windows 7. I have a Linksys Wireless-G ADSL Home Gateway (model WAG200G) at home with a mac thats connected to it and a pc laptop. What do i need to get wifi on my pc desktop? I've read a lot of people saying that desktops dont come with wifi and i need a wireless adapter. How exactly does this work??? Bottom Line: I just want to connect my desktop to the linsys router the SIMPLEST way possible, preferably not by installing stuff INSIDE my pc as i am a newbie. thank you! :) :) ps: also, is there no possibility that my computer can just get wifi out of the box? how can i check this knowing that the desktop has not arrived yet!? :)

Best Answer: Greetings EA, More then likely your new computer doesn't have a wireless card, unless you specified so on ordering. Check your order to see what you're getting. You might be lucky. Probably easiest way is a USB wireless adapter if your new machine doesn't have one. Load the sftwr, plug it in and set it up. Folow the docmentation and if you get stuck there's always "support". You can get internal cards but that involves opening it up and you don't want to do that. There are various makes of USB wireless adapters on the market. Pick one and go for it. Oh, before you do that, do some investigating to see which one suits your situation and make sure it's compatible. Best of luck. Francis R - Francis R

Hi there, What you will need is a USB wireless access point. This kind of device simply plugs into a USB 2.0 (or USB 1.1) and sends/receives the wireless signal. When you open the box it will have step-by-step directions for installation. Read and follow carefully. Take your time and you should have no problem. Don't make the mistake of plugging the adapter in and letting Windows install generic drivers. Generic drivers may or may not work (if it even has gereric drivers). Usually you install the adapter software first then just follow the directions for when to plug in the unit. You will need the network name and security key for your existing router. Once the device is installed it will be shown as connected but you will still have to go into the control panel and set up your internet connection. You have to tell your computer to connect to the internet using the new wireless connection. Just do a search of "Help and Support" in your computer for "connecting to the internet" or "how to connect to the internet" for a step-by-step procedure for your unique computer. I have used a similar device for a couple of years and it worked very well. Hope this helps, Al There is a link below for an example. However there are similar units sold by Netgear and others. - Albert W

If your system is new odds are you have an ethernet network subsystem integrated into the motherboard. You don't have to go wireless if you can place the router close enough to the new pc to go wired using a cat 5 cable. - john e

You need a wireless NIC (Network Interface Card) Most desktops don't have one built in. You can buy one that fits into a PCI slot on your computer or even USB (I recommend USB for the non tech savvy) http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Product_Id=459648 would suffice. Simply install the NIC to your computer, find your connection probably Linksys by default, and connect to it. Consider setting up a WEP key as well to prevent unauthorized access.

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