How to Wirelessly Connect a Laptop & Desktop

A wireless router enables laptop computer to access the Internet wirelessly.

You can connect a laptop computer wirelessly to a desktop computer using a wireless router. Once the router is installed and configured, it establishes a wireless network that allows the laptop to access the Internet via the desktop computer's Internet connection. In general, three types of wireless networks can be set up, depending on the router: 802.11a, 802.11b and 802.11g. Microsoft recommends the last type, 802.11g, because it is easy to establish and is very robust.

Things You'll Need

• Wireless network adapter
• Wireless router

Instructions

1. Check whether your laptop has built-in wireless capabilities by referring to its user manual or visiting the product page on the manufacturer's website. If your laptop is not Wi-Fi enabled, you will need a wireless network adapter, which is a card that will allow the laptop to communicate with a router over a wireless network. You will need one wireless network adapter for each computer you want to connect wirelessly.

2. Attach the adapter card to a vacant PC card slot on the laptop and install the software driver for the new equipment. If you already have a Wi-Fi enabled laptop, you will not need to attach the card.

3. Turn off your cable or DSL modem and unplug its power cord from the AC main. You need to turn off the modem because you are going to hook it up with the wireless router, which will convert the Internet connection to wireless signals.

4. Connect your wireless router to your modem. Detach the network cable from the back of the desktop computer's tower casing and insert into the Internet or WAN or WLAN port on the router; the label varies depending on manufacturer and model.

5. Plug in the modem's power cord and o the modem. Wait about 10 minutes for the device to connect to the Internet. Then, plug in your router's power cord and turn it on. Wait for the LED over the port marked Internet, WAN or WLAN to light up. This indicates that the router has successfully established a connection with the modem.

6. Install and configure the wireless router. Depending on manufacturer and model, the installation and configuration process may be different for each type of router. In general, you will be able to able to set up the device in simple and straight-forward steps, following on-screen instructions.

7. Type in the SSID and WEP or WPA for the wireless network, when prompted. The SSID (service set identifier) is the name of the network that you have just established, and the WEP (wireless encryption) or WPA (Wi-Fi protected access) is a security measure to block unauthorized access. Finally, type in the administrator password for the wireless network.

8. Connect your laptop to the main desktop computer (the one with the Internet connection). Turn on the Wi-Fi feature (from a switch for laptops with integrated Wi-Fi, or from software instructions for laptops with an external wireless card). Click on the wireless icon on the system tray to view available networks; select the one you established and click "Connect". Type in the password when prompted to connect to the desktop computer and access the Internet.

Tips & Warnings

• If you need to buy a wireless card, try to get one from the same manufacturer that built your wireless router.

• Wireless networks are easy to breach. Restrict unauthorized access to your wireless network by creating a strong password.

References

• Microsoft: 4 Steps to Set Up your Home Wireless Network
• UC Irvine: Wireless Router Configuration