How to Use a Wireless Notebook Card

A wireless notebook card, also called a wireless adapter, is a hardware device designed for laptops that enables your laptop to access high-speed, wireless networks within range of the wireless card. Although most new laptops come equipped with an internal wireless adapter, older laptops do not and require you to buy a wireless notebook card separately. To use your wireless notebook card to access the Internet, you must install the card and configure it to access wireless networks.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Setup CD Wireless access point ("WAP") (that is, a wireless router or Wi-Fi hot spot)

1. Install the wireless notebook card's software. Insert the software CD into your laptop's CD-ROM drive and wait for the installation wizard to load. If the CD does not automatically begin setup, browse the CD and double click the "autorun.exe" file. Follow the installation wizard's instructions.

2. Insert the wireless notebook card into the CardBus slot. Insert the wireless notebook card, face up, into one of your laptop's CardBus slots (usually found on the side of the laptop). Make sure that it is securely inserted. Wait for the "Found New Hardware Wizard" screen to appear, then click the "Install the software automatically" radio button and click "Next." You may be asked to restart your laptop.

3. Configure a wireless connection. You can use your wireless card's software or your operating system's Wireless Network Connection tool to configure a wireless connection. To log on to a wireless network for which you already know the SSID, you can type in the SSID. If the wireless network is a secured network (password/passcode is required), select the type of security setting the network uses (WEP, WPA or WPA-PSK) and type in the password/passcode. If you do not know the SSID of the network you want to access or if you want to see all available networks in range of your wireless notebook card, such as Wi-Fi hot spots, select the "scan for available wireless networks" option. If a network is password-protected, you must know and enter its password in order to connect to it. Click "Apply" or "Connect" to connect to the wireless network.

4. Test your wireless connection. After configuring a wireless connection, test that you can successfully access the Internet by opening a web browser and entering a website address. If the website loads, you are connected to the wireless network. If the web browser displays an error message, disconnect from the network and reconnect or try another wireless network. Your wireless card's software or your operating system will also indicate in a status bar or system tray icon the strength of the signal and your connection speed.

5. Save your network settings. Your wireless card's software may allow you to save and name your configurations or set priorities for certain networks. To do this, click the "Save Profile" button or "Save Settings" button. In your operating system, you can set connection priorities by right-clicking the connection and setting it to "Automatic" or "Preferred" status.

Tips & Warnings

• You must have access to a wireless network in order to connect to the Internet. A wireless notebook card is not a self-contained network---it is merely an antenna that receives and transmits signals to and from a "wireless access point" (WAP). A WAP is a hub that communicates to wireless devices, allowing them to log on to its wireless network. A WAP can be a wireless router in your home or office, or it can be a Wi-Fi hot spot (a "lily pad" of wireless networks) offered by a coffee shop, library, school or other establishment.
• You should not use your wireless notebook card to log on to another person's unsecured wireless network without his knowledge and permission.

Resources

• HowStuffWorks---"How WiFi Works"
• Microsoft.com---"10 Tips for Improving Your Wireless Network"
• CNet Reviews---"Wireless Network Buying Guide"