Rick B. answered 08/28/14
Tutor
New to Wyzant
Most types of Math
You will need:
- a router (As previously stated, wireless is the way to go, but most routers have both Ethernet/wireless now. If you only have one computer and it is in the same room, and it is a desktop, there is nothing wrong with running Ethernet...cable)
- a wireless receiver in your computer (or Ethernet in case of a wired connection)
- software (that comes with the receiver) to tell the computer how to handle the information
If you computer is relatively new (less than 5 years old, or so), it probably already has wireless capability.
The cable connects to the router, and the information is sent wirelessly to/from your computer. Brick walls, filing cabinets, etc. may interfere with the signal if the router is not in the same room as the computer(s).
If your computer is older and doesn't have a wireless NIC (network interface card), you can use a USB wireless adapter, as Sheryl already stated.
To check if your computer already has a WiFi card, do the following:
1) Go to the lower left corner of your desktop screen to the 'Start' button and click on it
2) On the right hand side of the window that opens, go to 'Control Panel' and click on it
3) In the window that opens, go to 'Hardware and Sound' (depends on operating system, but 'Hardware' will be part of the title) and click on it
4) under 'Devices and Printers' click on (in the same window) 'Device Manager'
5) You are now in the Device Manager - find 'Network Adapters' in the list and double click on it (or single click the little arrow next to it). This is the list of Network Adapters you have on your computer.
You will most likely have 2: one for Ethernet (wired) and one for Wifi (wireless)
If you have a wireless adapter, all you need is the router, which will come with instructions on how to proceed.
If you don't have a wireless adapter, you can have one installed, or buy a USB style that you plug into your USB outlet on your computer, or you can hook the router directly up to your computer with an Ethernet cable (the jack looks just like a phone jack, only bigger)
Enjoy! :-)