Wireless Setup
Note: This doesn't cover all scenarios, there are different types of wireless and some have different methods or procedures to set up wireless. The steps here may not apply to all devices but may be close enough to where you can modify it for your setup.
On this page
The items you will need to have before you can connect to the internet are
- An internet account and equipment (such as Bellsouth.net, Comcast.net, AOL so forth)
- Wireless Router
- Computer
- Wireless network adapter
- You will need a valid internet account to be able to access the internet. If this internet service is provided by a company or school, you will not need a cable modem or a DSL modem. If the internet service is the one you signed up for, you will need a cable or DSL modem.
- The wireless router is what provides the distribution of the internet signal. If you have internet service at home and you want to access it on a computer, you have to have the cable or DSL modem attached to the computer, a network cable attached, or access it through a wireless router.
- You will need a computer with the appropriate specifications to access the internet through a wireless setup. Majority of computers will work but you should check the specifications of your system with the requirements of the wireless router and wireless network adapter.
- You will need a wireless network adapter to communicate with the wireless router. There is different kinds. There is internal and external cards. There are cards designed for desktops and cards designed for portables. Most portables have built in wireless cards but not all of them. If the portable doesn't have one, you will have to use a card that you insert. Most Desktops do not come with one. You will have to add a wireless card or use an external wireless card.
To setup wireless, you will need to know the following Information
- SSID click here for definition
- WEP or other security ID or information (if they are using a security feature. If they are not using security then this doesn't apply)
- Is the wireless handled by windows or by the wireless program installed with the wireless adapter card.
To setup wireless, do the following
- If your wireless is not integrated, install a wireless card. There is three types (click on the one you have for more information)
- Install the driver for the wireless card if it is not installed.
- If you are setting up the internet connection, you will need to setup the wireless router. If you are connecting to a wireless out in town, then you don't setup a wireless router.
- Click here for help with setting up a wireless router.
- By the clock will be an icon for the wireless. There may be two different icons. There may be an icon for the wireless program installed by the wireless and an icon for the windows wireless program. Only one of them will be handling the wireless. They both will not be handling the wireless. During the setup if you don't see a wireless network in range on one configuration program, then check the other program.
- Right click on the wireless program.
- Click on View available wireless networks
- Highlight the wireless network that you want to connect to NOTE: There may be more than one available network so choose the appropriate one.
- Click on Connect
- If the wireless is secure, it will ask you for the security code (which is usually the WEP ID but can be other types of security)
- Enter the appropriate code
- Click on OK.
- You can also run the Wireless Network Wizard Setup located in Control Panel
- You may not see the SSID listed in the Available Wireless Networks. Some administrators hide the SSID as extra security. You have to manually enter the SSID for the system to find it.
- If you are having trouble with accessing an available wireless and you know there is one available, use the wireless troubleshooter
If you are still having issues connecting, contact me for further help.