How to Check if Your Computer is Wi-Fi Enabled

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Wi-Fi is a wireless technology that allows desktop and laptop computers access to a free or paid Internet network. While cheap and portable Internet access is a communication breakthrough that hasn’t yet reached its full revolutionary impact, its current availability is impressive and growing rapidly in a variety of public places, including libraries, airports, hotels, and soon, airplanes. Even though it’s safe to assume that your computer is Wi-Fi enabled, particularly if you bought it within the past two years, you may still want to check to see if it's Wi-Fi-enabled.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Computer

Step1

Physically examine your desktop or laptop computer. Do you see an “Intel Centrino” sticker anywhere? Note that Centrino is a brand name for Intel’s Pentium M processor combined with a pro wireless card.

Step2

Search the back of your computer for a small aerial pointed downward. This may indicate that the computer is Wi-Fi enabled.

Step3

If you weren’t able to find a Centrino sticker or an aerial, turn on your computer and go to the “Start” menu. Right-click on the “My Computer” icon; then select “Properties.” Check if your computer’s Properties include Intel Centrino.

Step4

If you still haven’t found anything to indicate that your computer is Wi-Fi enabled, right-click on “My Computer” again, click on “Manage”, and click on “Device Manager.” Then click on the Device Manager window’s “Hardware” tab. Read the list below "Network Adapters." Note that any adapter labeled “Ethernet” or “10/100” will have nothing to do with wireless compatibility. However, any adapter labeled “wireless” or “802.11” will indicate compatibility.

Step5

If you’ve determined that your computer isn’t Wi-Fi-enabled, check to see if it has an available USB port. If so, go to your electronics store and buy a USB-type Wi-Fi adapter.

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Resources

Photo/Video Credit

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Comments

Klaubs said

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on 1/14/2008 Many laptops today have buttons or switches at the top, front, or side of the laptops that toggle the WiFi cards on or off. Normally these will also have an indicator light to show that the wireless card is turned on. If you can find a wireless icon (it looks like a triangle pointing upwards with two sets of waves radiating from the top), if it is not illuminated or there is not a light next to it that is turned on, the card is probably disabled in hardware or software.
Also, some computers are smart enough to turn off the wireless card if you have a wired connection to the laptop. Try disconnecting the wire and see if the wireless card turns on.

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