Hot Electronic Gadgets

That new computer you just bought. What do you know about its wireless capability? Is the necessary software installed and are the connections ready to go?  As the networking devices required for wireless have come down in price, many computer manufacturers now automatically include them in the package. Information on exactly what you have can be found on the description of the system specifications. You may already be set up with wireless capability.

It’s important to read the specifications carefully. You need to know whether or not your computer is already enabled for wireless and how much memory you have. If you’re not familiar with wireless capability, you can pass over these detailed specifications and, as a result, the wireless net work would not be set up and operating. If you want to spend the time checking out the capabilities of your computer in this area, we have some suggestions for you.

Do you have Intel Centrino?

If your laptop computer already has Intel Centrino installed, you’re ahead of the game. Having this technology already installed on your computer means that your computer came with wireless capability. You’re ready to go. As a point of reference, this is a combination of an Intel Pro/Wireless card and their Pentium M processor.

A quick way to check for this is to look for a sticker with “Intel Centrino” on your computer. If the sticker isn’t there, or if you can’t locate it, you’ll have to check the computer itself. To find the processor name, go to your Start Menu and right click on “My Computer”, After that click on “Properties” You should be able to find the information on whether or not wireless has been installed.

One of the primary advantage to Intel’s Centrino is that the computer’s batter will have a longer life. In addition, the size of the computer is decrease. When you purchased your laptop and Centrino was not installed, check for an unused card slot. If you’ve got one, you can easily upgrade your computer yourself to include wireless.

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Do you have a Desktop Computer?

New desktop units are available and set up with wireless capability. To find out if your computer came with wireless capability, simply turn it around and inspect the back. If, near the bottom of the back of the unit, there is an antenna, you’re in luck. This indicates that your system came with wireless capability when you bought it.

If there is no antenna, there is still a possibility that the computer has wireless capability, particularly if it is a newer on. However, do not open up the computer to look for an antenna or some other indication that the capability for wireless connectivity exists. The easiest (and safest) way to do this is to use Windows.

Using Windows to See if Your Computer Came With Wireless Capability

If you have a Windows operating system, you will start by opening up “Device Manger”. To do this, right click “My Computer”, locate “Manage” in that menu, click on that and then again on “Device Manager”.

“Device Manger” will display a listing of the devices that you either have on your computer or would be able to have. Going to “Network Adapters”, you looking one of these phrases – Ethernet or “10/100″.  These phrases indicate that a network connection that is not related to a wireless function exists. Any wireless device that is installed will have a different designation.

If, in your search for a device, you think you may have located the name of one with a yellow indicator by its name, do the following  Staying in Device Manager, click on the flagged name. This sign usually means the device is not functioning. Work through the troubleshooter function that is available first.

You may have a problem with your driver. Use the CD for the drivers that was included in the computer package. If the river is missing, check online, going to the website for the manufacturer of your system. The manufacturer will maintain a list of devices that you will be able to search until you locate the specific one listed in your Device Manager.

If, after all of this your computer didn’t come with wireless capability, don’t despair. At this point you will know exactly what you have and what you need. Because the technology is becoming less expensive all the time, an upgrade will most likely be within your budget. Therefore, if your setup didn’t come with wireless capability it’s not really that big of a deal.