How to Setup a Wireless Connection With One Computer

A wireless Internet router

A wireless computer connection gives you the freedom to move about your home or office and always be able to access the Internet, free of cords. Most modern computers come equipped with ways to access wireless routers with a Wi-Fi card already installed on them. As long as you have a DSL or Cable Internet connection and a wireless router you can set up a wireless computer connection all on your own.

Things You'll Need

• DSL or Cable Internet connection
• Wireless router
• 2 Ethernet cables
• Vista
• Mac OS X

Instructions

1. Plug the wireless router into a power source and unplug the Ethernet cord from your modem to your computer.

2. Plug the Ethernet cord into the wireless router's port that says "Internet," "WAN," or "WLAN" and wait for all of the lights to light up.

3. Plug an Ethernet cable into your computer and into the wireless router and open your Internet browser. Type in the web address that came with your router and use the provided login name and password to set up your router. You will be asked to set a password and change the name of the wireless network, in most cases.

4. For Vista, click on the "Start" button and select "Connect to." Click on the name of your network and click "Connect." Input your user name and password, if needed.

5. For Mac, click on the Airport icon in the menu bar, between the time and the Bluetooth icon. Select the name of the network, input the password and press "OK."

References

• Microsoft Support: 4 steps to set up your home wireless network
• Microsoft Support: Adding computers to your network

Resources

• Geek Squad: Setting Up a Wireless Network