Wireless help please

[pezza27]

Hi,

I am not a good with the tech side of things, I'm just a user so forgive me if I say something stupid

In my house I have a desktop PC which is connected to a broadband modem by wires (an eTec USB ADSL with no ariel), so I guess my problem is it's not sending a wirless signal ?

However, I have a laptop with wireless connection which I can get connected no problem by Wi-fi in coffee shops and friends so my laptop does easily get wi-fi connection but I can't get it at home ?

At home, it brings up a few wireless signals which require passwords but I don't beleive any are mine because the password does not seem to work in them.

Therefore, I have the following two questions:

1) How can I check on my desktop what my internet connection is called so I can look the options up on my laptop to see if thats one of the one's coming up (which I don't beleive it is) ? and

2) Whats the cheapest way to upgrade my modem to a wireless/wifi, should I buy a whole new modem, or can I just buy an ariel to add to my desktop (what are the costs) ?

Thanks for your help, cheers
Pezza

 

[dave597]

1) goto control panel and select network connections, look at the one which is activated and has a light blue screen as an icon, and not the greyed out one. alternatively press windows and run, then 'cmd' then type in ipconfig and press enter then it will output the connection data.

2) you need a wireless card or adaptor, and a wireless router. the adaptor costs around £20, and router would cost more.

 

[liam_w_99]

Yer. All you need to get is a router, plug the ethenet cable coming from your modem(you don't need a new modem )that you would normally plug strait in your PC and you're done. Only other thing you need is an adapter or wireless internet card for your each PC that needs the internet, but obviously not your wireless laptop. If you're not sure about opening up your computer and installing the card ,then i'd suggest simply getting an adapter that easily plugs in a USB socket. If you don't want to take up a USB socket, then send me a private message and i'll run you through installing the card .

 

[pezza27]

I forgot to thank you guys for the help, I was in too much of a hurry to go out and buy the router - it's much appreciated.