8.03.2011

How To Install Wifi on a Desktop






There's one burning question I keep seeing come up in the keyword searches that lead to my blog. "How to Install Wifi on Desktop". I haven't really directly addressed it because I guess I underestimated how many people are still using desktop computers. So here we go. I hope this helps.

What You Need:

The first step is determining what kind of internet provider you use.

You can get internet to your home a couple ways.

1. Cable broadband or DSL through a modem.

If you want to look for an internet provider in your area, Click Here


If you already have Broadband, you have something that looks like one of these:







Netgear N600 Wireless Dual Band Gigabit ADSL2+ Modem Router (DGND3700)


It is now connected with a cable directly to your computer.

Advantages - Blazing fast downloads. You can stream video and download music at dizzying speeds.

Disadvantages - Cable companies have monopolies in many cities and towns. Because of this they can raise your rates without much notice.

***See this post if you are tired of that like I was.  How to Save on Subscription TV and Groceries with Amazon Prime

If you get your internet with Cable broadband or DSL, you simply need one of these:






Cisco-Linksys E3000 High-Performance Wireless-N Router


This hooks up to the modem.

It is a wireless router. It will wirelessly broadcast an internet connection from the modem, to the wireless router then to all the computers in your home. Cisco/Linksys in particular has phenominal online tools and phone support making it a snap for beginners to set up.

If you don't have a cable or DSL connection you might consider getting mobile wifi through your mobile phone provider.

Advantages - This connection is portable and can go with you anywhere. So if you live somewhere part of the year and somewhere else the rest, or travel a lot, you'll really get your money out of this.

Disadvantages - Today wireless 3G and even wireless 4G technology isn't fast enough for streaming video or downloading big files. But if you just want to check email, chat with a buddy on facebook or surf the internet you are good to go.

If you don't have a mobile phone you can still purchase just wifi from a mobile provider.

You'll pay a monthly fee for data transfer and they'll likely give you one of these:



Medialink - Wireless N USB Adapter - 802.11n - 150Mbps - 2.4ghz - Windows 2000 / XP / Vista 64-Bit /128-Bit Windows 7 Compatible


If you have a couple computers you want to use wifi on, you can get one of these to get wifi on them all:



CradlePoint PHS300 Personal Hotspot - Wireless access point - 802.11b/g (Version 2.0/2.5.3)


Best of luck to the Desktop users reading this. If anything you'll get rid of a few more wires behind your desk.





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