Please help adding pc to wifi?

[cakedup]

Ds has been given a pc, it's quite old I think and I haven't used a pc in years!

So I'm trying to link it up to the wifi (have tried googling I promise!). Not happening.

I have tried clicking on network connections, then 'create a new connection' then 'connect to existing network' but my wifi details don't come up.

I have tried the wireless network set up wizard and clicked on "add new computers to the (name of my wifi) network'. Then I have the option to use a flash drive (eh??) or set up a network manually. When I choose the latter, I'm instructed to print my settings and manually enter it. But how do I do that??

Would really appreciate some help!

[olderthanyouthink]

Erm, does the pc have a wireless network card?

[cakedup]

What do you mean?

[AnchorDownDeepBreath]

How old is the PC? Is it a desktop? Some old PCs and laptop don't have wireless networking cards, which means they can't connect to wifi. They can connect via cable, or you can open the computer and install one if it's compatible, or pay someone to do it for you.

The situation you've described sounds like there's either no wireless card or it's not installed right.

[cakedup]

Oh sorry, by pc I mean desktop!
Any way of checking for sure if it has wifi?
And if that's the case I can just set up the modem in ds' room and connect it to the computer, right?

[cakedup]

Sorry, not sure how old it is.
But it has wifi wizard on there, so doesn't the fact it's acknowledging wifi mean it could connect?

[olderthanyouthink]

What operating system is it running?

Usually they have a little aerial sticking out the back.

I'm not sure if the wizard wouldn't be there if there was not wifi card. But if there's a router (modem aren't really a thing any more) in the same room you can run a network cable to the PC.

[cakedup]

Oh no I can't can I? No phone socket in ds' room. Sorry it's been so long since I've had a desktop I've completely forgotten the set up!

[nannynick]

If it has a network port and you have a broadband router (which you probably do as you are talking about WiFi) then you can use a system to send data through your electrical wiring to DS room.

TP Link Powerline (link goes to Argos but there are other stockists)

[nannynick]

Is it running Windows?

Try: Start - Run - MSINFO32

That with luck will present a screen showing lots of stuff... look for Network and then see what it says under Network Adaptors.

[LIZS]

You can buy a plug in usb wifi adapter if it isn't wifi enabled. Our allegedly wifi enabled pc only works plugged in.

[cakedup]

Thanks nannynick I have done the start/run thing, see pic. Now what am I looking for?

[cakedup]

Oh sorry, wrong pic! Hold on...

[cakedup]

Sorry wrong pic!

[cakedup]

So I've scrolled all the way down but no mention of wifi.

[OnionKnight]

You need a USB wifi dongle.

[cakedup]

olderthanyouthink the operating system is Microsoft Windows xp version 2002.

There isn't a router in the same room either.

[cakedup]

So, as it is looking likely that it is not wifi enabled, I can get either a TP link power line, a USB wifi adaptor or a USB wifi dongle (are the last two the same thing??) to enable wifi?

[FallenSky]

Something like this should do the job. Just make sure you look at the specifications before you buy to make sure it will run on Windows xp.

[BratFarrarsPony]

you need a little thingy that you stick in the side that will enable it to be wifi

[MrsPnut]

We use something similar to nick's link to connect the router to a desktop PC.
Run cable from router to one plug and run a cable from the pc to the other plug.

[cakedup]

Brat you speak my language!

Brill, thanks FallenSky

MrsPnut the usb adaptor seems a lot less expensive and simple/straightforward. Am wondering if there is much difference in quality though.

[nannynick]

Do you have a wireless device (phone, tablet, laptop) that you can take in to DS's room to check the signal strength? You want to check that the WIFI signal is strong... often the more bars showing on the WiFi icon the better the signal.

The USB adaptor could well be a good option for you. Found a video that may help, it is not exactly the same adaptor being used but the installation process will be similar.

[MrsPnut]

The wifi usb might work, it depends on how good your wifi signal is. The plug socket option is a wired connection so is on when the router is on.

[cakedup]

nannynick DS uses my laptop and his phone with wifi in his room all the time with no problems, so I guess it's a good signal. We live in a small flat so he is not far from the router.

Sorry to drag this out but I've just looked on www.argos.co.uk/search/wifi-usb-adaptor/Argos ...bit confused at the different types (some have arials, some don't, for example) and the wide range in prices. I'm on a low budget but don't want to buy the cheapest one if it's false economy.

I really appreciate your help so far . This PC has been gathering dust in DS' room for months because I just didn't know how to set it up

[nannynick]

No idea, I expect the aerial may give a bit better signal.
I would go with something around the £12-£15 mark and get DualBand, so if your router now (or in the future) supports 5GHz, then it can use that. Look for ones which cover "Wireless standards a/b/g/n" as that will give the most options for it to connect to your router.

I would stick to well known brands. TP-Link I have used for many years. Their website has helpful info such as how to manually install on a Win XP system: www.tp-link.com/en/faq-59.html