Explore Windows configuration options for establishing your Internet connection.

Install a PCI card in each desktop system you want to connect to your network.

If your wireless systems won’t connect to the Internet just yet, you may need to take another step or two. On a Windows XP system, try disabling the Windows wireless-configuration feature to establish a connection. This step is also necessary if you want to use the bundled utilities. To disable this feature, click the XP Networking icon (it looks like two computer monitors) in the system tray at the bottom right of your screen. When the Wireless Network Connection dialog appears, click the Advanced button and select the Wireless Networks tab. Uncheck “Use Windows to configure my wireless network settings” and click OK to accept the change. Now reboot your system to bring the connection to life.

For operating system versions other than Windows XP, a simple reboot may be all it takes to get your Wi-Fi adapter running correctly after driver installation. Move on to the next steps even if you still can’t connect after rebooting. They should solve the problem.

Credit: CNET

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A Wi-Fi adapter connects your computer to the network. If your computer doesn’t already have the adapter that you need built in, you can add one.

Tip: If you’re lucky enough to have a notebook with built-in Wi-Fi, you won’t need the PC Card adapter.

Install the Wi-Fi adapter in each system that will connect wirelessly to the router. If you’re using the D-Link PC Card and PCI adapters, install the software from the CD before installing the hardware, then shut down your system, install the adapter, and reboot. After Windows boots, the Found New Hardware wizard should appear and initiate the driver installation. Select “Install the software automatically” and click Next. If you see a message warning that the driver has not passed Windows logo testing, click Continue Anyway.

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Learn how to install and configure your wireless router.

Routers act as the gateway between your broadband connection (DSL or cable modem) and your home network. As the name implies, these devices route traffic between your network and the Internet. Most include built-in DHCP servers that automatically assign the right IP address information to each computer on your local-area network, or LAN. A separate WAN, or wide-area network, interface on the router connects your entire home or office network to your broadband modem, allowing you to share your Internet connection through the router. Most routers also have firewall capabilities, and some include more advanced security features. Read more »