Trying to figure out if I can use wireless networking!

I have a new computer with XP and an older computer running Millenium. Can I
use a wireless, broadband cable connection? The cable company asked if I had
wireless network cards and I'm not even sure how to find out. Any info would
be greatly appreciated.

I am no help, amy. I have exactly the same question to ask. Hope someone
replies!

Andrew

"Amy" wrote:

> I have a new computer with XP and an older computer running Millenium. Can I
> use a wireless, broadband cable connection? The cable company asked if I had
> wireless network cards and I'm not even sure how to find out. Any info would
> be greatly appreciated.

If these are desktop computers, they generally don't come standard with a
wireless network card unless you specified it. Look at the back of each PC
and see if you see an antenna, if not, you don't have one.

"Amy" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:8A443310-4A32-408D-B339-(E-Mail Removed)...
>I have a new computer with XP and an older computer running Millenium. Can
>I
> use a wireless, broadband cable connection? The cable company asked if I
> had
> wireless network cards and I'm not even sure how to find out. Any info
> would
> be greatly appreciated.

Amy wrote:

> I have a new computer with XP and an older computer running Millenium.
> Can I
> use a wireless, broadband cable connection? The cable company asked
> if I had
> wireless network cards and I'm not even sure how to find out. Any
> info would be greatly appreciated.

Yes, you can do this. It is unlikely that your new desktop computer came
with a wireless adapter unless you ordered one, but you can check by
going to Control Panel>System>Hardware tab>Device Manager. Expand the
Network Devices category. You will probably see a 1394 adapter
(Firewire) and your ethernet adapter. If you see a third adapter that
says something about 802.11g, then you have the wireless hardware.

Otherwise, you can either buy PCI wireless adapters for both your
computers and install them inside the machines OR buy USB wireless
adapters for both computers.

You will also need to buy a wireless router.

Here are some links to help you visualize and set up the network:

Linksys Learning Center - http://tinyurl.com/8ka4w
(Of course you don't need to buy Linksys hardware; this site has good
pictures and answers to basic questions.)

Wireless - Basic Configuration -
http://www.ezlan.net/Wireless_Config.html
Wireless - Basic Security - http://www.ezlan.net/Wireless_Security.html

Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User