| u know if your new computer already has | | | | can generally see a small aerial antenna sticking |
| wireless capability? Many new computers have | | | | out of the back of the computer near the |
| the built-in software and connections in order for | | | | bottom of the computer. |
| you to set up a wireless network. These wireless | | | | If you don’t see anything there, it's still |
| networking devices are so inexpensive that the | | | | possible that you have a wireless device in the |
| manufacturers of the computers include them as | | | | computer, especially if the computer is relatively |
| part of the package and can be found on the | | | | new. Unless you’re a computer expert, |
| system specification list. | | | | don’t open the back of your computer to |
| Like most people, however, you may not even | | | | determine if it has wireless capabilities. Instead, |
| know how much memory your computer has, let | | | | you should probably try and figure it out using |
| alone whether it arrived already wireless-enabled. | | | | Windows. |
| This is especially true if you don't know what | | | | Checking in Windows |
| wireless networking is. It's easy to ignore this | | | | You can easily check your computer’s |
| detail in the specifications that come with the | | | | wireless capabilities by going into Windows' Device |
| computer and to fail to take the time to set it up | | | | Manager. You must first right-click My Computer |
| and get it working. Let’s look at some | | | | and choose Manage from that menu. Now click on |
| things to look for if you want to check your | | | | “Device Manager”. |
| computer's wireless capabilities. | | | | In device manager, you will be able to see a list |
| Intel Centrino | | | | of the different devices you have or would be |
| If you own a laptop that comes with something | | | | able to have on your computer. Look under |
| called 'Intel Centrino mobile technology', this is | | | | 'Network Adapters'. Anything that uses the words |
| what you’re looking for! Unfortunately, | | | | '10/100' or 'Ethernet' is a normal network |
| manufacturers of computers are not good at | | | | connection and isn’t related to wireless |
| explaining what this technology is or does. Quite | | | | connectivity. Anything else may be a wireless |
| simply, it means that your laptop has wireless | | | | device. |
| networking built right in; you don’t need to | | | | If you think you have a wireless device but note |
| do a thing! Intel Centrino is a term used in | | | | that it has a yellow warning sign next to its name |
| marketing that stands for a combination of the | | | | in the Device Manager, click its name to find out |
| Intel Pentium M processor and Intel's Pro/Wireless | | | | what is wrong with the device. Windows should |
| card. | | | | be able to let you know why the device is not |
| Your computer should have an 'Intel Centrino' | | | | working. The computer may also suggest that |
| sticker on it somewhere if it is enabled with Intel | | | | you go into its troubleshooter program. Try doing |
| Centrino. If you don’t see this type of | | | | that before trying anything else. |
| sticker, you can also check the name of your | | | | The problem could be a driver problem. In that |
| processor by right-clicking the My Computer icon | | | | case, insert the drivers CD that came with your |
| in the Start Menu (or on your desktop) and | | | | computer. If you can’t find the drivers |
| clicking on “Properties” from the | | | | CD, you can always find the drivers online. In |
| menu. Look at the wording following the word | | | | order to do this, you should look on the website |
| “Computer” in this section. It | | | | of the computer's manufacturer. From there, you |
| should tell you if it has the wireless feature. | | | | can try searching for the particular name of the |
| Intel Centrino technology has the capability of | | | | wireless device in Device Manager. |
| increasing the life of your computer’s | | | | Unfortunately, it could turn out that you don't |
| battery and allows computers to be smaller in | | | | have a wireless device after all. That’s |
| size. If you didn't buy an Intel Centrino laptop but | | | | too bad. On the bright side, it is much better to |
| your laptop has a free card slot, adding wireless | | | | learn that now than it would be to buy wireless |
| capabilities will be no problem. | | | | equipment and then realize you couldn’t |
| Desktop Computers | | | | run it on your computer. In any event, even if |
| Desktop computers come with wireless | | | | you did find a wireless device in one of your |
| capabilities, too. If you're not sure whether or not | | | | computers, you may decide that you need even |
| your desktop computer has a wireless connection, | | | | more wireless capability. Fortunately, wireless |
| turn it around and look at the back of the | | | | technology is getting cheaper all the time! |
| computer. If a wireless connection is present, you | | | | |