How to Set Up a Laptop on a Wireless Router

A wireless connection allows you to connect to the network anywhere within range.

One of the main advantages of a laptop PC is being able to take it wherever you go. That advantage is lost if you have to connect it to the router with an Ethernet cable. It's not difficult to connect a laptop to a wireless router, as long as the laptop has a wireless networking feature. Laptops without built-in wireless networking need a wireless network CardBus card or a wireless network USB dongle to connect to the network.

Instructions

1. Check the wireless network indicator. This is a small light on the laptop or the network card indicating whether the laptop has Wi-Fi capabilities turned on. Usually the light is blue or green when it's turned on, and red or orange when it's not. Turn on the Wi-Fi receiver if it is not already on.

2. Right-click the network icon in your system tray. Choose "Connect to a Network."

3. Choose your wireless network from the list of SSIDs that appears. Enter the network password if you set one up when initially setting up the wireless router.

4. Check the network icon in the system tray. Hover your mouse pointer over the icon to see whether you have successfully connected to the network. The status, signal strength and speed appears in a pop-up box.

References

• Microsoft: Add A Device or Computer To A Network