How to Connect a PC Via Wireless to the Internet
Wireless connections to the Internet are possible on any laptop or desktop computer that is equipped with a wireless Ethernet adapter. Wireless cards are now standard equipment on laptops but you can also add a wireless card to a desktop PC. Once a wireless card is present, connecting to a wireless signal is a matter of identifying the signal, obtaining any necessary security clearances and completing the connection.
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Instructions
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Unplug any hard-wired Ethernet connection cables that may be present then boot your computer. After your desktop appears, look for a network connection symbol in the lower right hand corner of your screen, down by the clock. The wireless network connection icon is represented by a computer monitor with WiFi "radar" beams. If the connection is disabled or inactive there will be a red X through this icon. If you don't see any WiFi icon in your start up task bar at all, go to Start/Control Panel/Network Connections and make sure your wireless card is enabled. Reboot your computer after enabling the WiFi card from Control Panel.
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Check to make sure your WiFi is turned on if you have a WiFi On/Off button on your laptop keyboard or on the side of the laptop. Look on the keyboard or the case for the symbol of a small pole or dot with radar beams. Turn on the WiFi card from here using a keyboard FN key or a case switch or button. There is no such switch for a desktop WiFi card: the card is always "on" if it has been installed properly.
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Right-click on the WiFi icon when it appears near the clock. Select "View Available Wireless Networks." Some operating systems, like Vista and Windows 7, will automatically provide a pop-up message informing you that "Wireless Connections Are Available," and providing the instruction "Click here to Connect." Click to enter the Wireless Connection list screen.
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Identify the WiFi signal that "belongs" to you, or one you know you want to connect to. You may have only one choice in signals, or several choices available. If you have a wireless router in your home or office you probably named this router during the initial set up of the router and you'll see this name in the list. Otherwise, your router may be named "default" or will feature the name of the router manufacturer, like "D-Link," or "Netgear." If you are in a public setting, such as a coffee house, look for the WiFi signal in the listing that most likely belongs to the establishment. Ask a clerk if you're unsure which WiFi signal is correct for the public place.
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Select the correct WiFi signal source and click on "Connect." If the signal is secured you will be prompted to enter a security code or password to gain access to the signal. If you secured your network when you first set up your WiFi router, you created this password at that time; hopefully you've retained this information somewhere. If you have forgotten the code you may need to reinstall your WiFi router to establish a new security code. If you're in a public place, ask an attendant or clerk for the security code. Enter the code into the appropriate box and click "OK" or "Apply."
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Open your browser as soon as the red X is removed from your WiFi icon or a pop-up message indicates that the wireless connection is now active. You browser should navigate to your established homepage.
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Tips & Warnings
If you intend to connect to this wireless network again in the future, add the signal name to your "Preferred Connections" list, found under Control Panel/Network Connections. Your Windows Wireless Connection wizard will automatically look for any and all of your preferred connections every time you reboot your machine. Otherwise don't add this signal to your Preferred list.
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