Dell - how do i know if it is wireless compatible

Discussion in 'Hardware' started by scattycat69, Dec 31, 2009.

  1. scattycat69

    scattycat69 Private E-2

    Hi
    I have a pc which is a DELL Dimension 5150 and since I have re-located the pc the router no longer reaches to plug in. I do however have a wireless router and wondered how I will be able to know if:-
    a. my pc will connect to the wireless router, wireless
    b. If it is compatible, how do I set it up.
    c. If it's not compatible, do I have to get a card to put in the pc. (I can open the case and 'plug and play'.

    I hope someone can help me. I'm not sure if a dongle thing is the way to go or a card if that's what it needs. The pc is not that old, but I do appreciate that things change in the computer technology and so it may not have been wireless enabled when I got it.

    Also the pc is quite slow, I wondered if this is something easy to sort. Maybe clogged up with stuff!

    Thanks
     
    scattycat69, Dec 31, 2009
    #1
  2. DavidGP

    DavidGP MajorGeeks Forum Administrator - Grand Pooh-Bah Staff Member

    Hi

    Likelyhood is that the dekstop wont have a WiFi connection but there are many add-on PCI cards you can get and I would advise a PCI card over the USB dongles as they just dont cut it for me. To find out if you have one installed open up Device Manager and look in the network list for Wireless device, but knowing that you would have had to specify a wireless card for many desktops from Dell, as I mention likey their is not one installed.

    Sample PCI Wifi card Here others may have some good suggestions on this and PCWorld would be a place to get one from, or from one of the UK online PC stores like Dabs, Scan, OverclockersUK (mention these as I have used them for years so know they are safe online stores)


    You could get a longer Cat5e cable to run from router to PC? this depends on where the router is and the PC is now located as the logistics of feeding a cable around a house is not always easy.

    Is your router a wireless capable one?



    as for cleaning up your PC then try this guide HERE
     
    DavidGP, Dec 31, 2009
    #2
  3. scattycat69

    scattycat69 Private E-2

    Hi Halo

    May I first say a huge thank you for such a speedy reply and very informative. I did think the pci card would be the better option, so thanks for confirming that over the dongle.

    Also thanks for the links will use immediately.
     
    scattycat69, Dec 31, 2009
    #3
  4. RoyalGeek1

    RoyalGeek1 Private E-2

    PCI is definitely the way to go, and be sure to read the box, and get one with a quality antennae.
     
    RoyalGeek1, Dec 31, 2009
    #4
  5. cat5e

    cat5e MajorGeek

    cat5e, Dec 31, 2009
    #5
  6. scattycat69

    scattycat69 Private E-2

    Thanks for this. I am definately going down this route.
     
    scattycat69, Jan 3, 2010
    #6
  7. scattycat69

    scattycat69 Private E-2

    Thanks for the reply Halo. I have looked at the pci cards and there is quite a range in price. Does it depend on the router I have? It is a D-link, or is the cost as usual the better the product the higher the cost?

    Thanks again, much appreciated
     
    scattycat69, Jan 3, 2010
    #7
  8. scattycat69

    scattycat69 Private E-2

    Hi Halo

    Also thanks for the info about cleaning up my system. I am in the process of following the steps. I was just wondering if Norton 360 did the same thing or similar, as this is the package I run for my anti virus etc.

    Thanks again. all your help very much appreciated
     
    scattycat69, Jan 3, 2010
    #8

MajorGeeks.Com Menu

Downloads All In One Tweaks \ Android \ Anti-Malware \ Anti-Virus \ Appearance \ Backup \ Browsers \ CD\DVD\Blu-Ray \ Covert Ops \ Drive Utilities \ Drivers \ Graphics \ Internet Tools \ Multimedia \ Networking \ Office Tools \ PC Games \ System Tools \ Mac/Apple/Ipad Downloads

Other News: Top Downloads \ News (Tech) \ Off Base (Other Websites News) \ Way Off Base (Offbeat Stories and Pics)

Social: Facebook \ YouTube \ Twitter \ Tumblr \ Pintrest \ RSS Feeds