How to Connect Wireless to a PC

Wireless network card with an external antenna

Wireless Internet uses radio frequencies to establish a network connection. A Desktop PC requires an expansion wireless network interface card, a piece of hardware, which allows such a connection. Desktop wireless network cards usually have an external antenna to improve signal reception. Network cards are installed on a computer motherboard using the Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) interface.

Things You'll Need

• Wireless network card
• Driver CD that is included with the network card

Instructions

1. Switch the computer off. Open the side panel of the computer case, and lay the computer down on the side.

2. 

   Locate an available PCI slot on the computer motherboard.

3. 

   Insert the wireless network card into the PCI slot and fasten it with a Phillips-head screw.

4. 

   Attach the external antenna to the rear connector of the network card.

5. Close the side panel of the computer case and switch the computer on.

6. Insert the CD that came with the network card into a CD/DVD drive. Follow the onscreen instructions to install the wireless card drivers.

7. Right-click on the network icon in the notification area, typically located in the right-bottom part of the screen in Windows Vista.

8. Click on "Connect to a Network." Then select an available network from the list and click "Connect."

Tips & Warnings

• Wireless network cards are available from many retailers in a large assortment.

References

• "Build Your Own PC Do-It-Yourself For Dummies," Mark L. Chambers, Feb 2009