How to tell if you already have wireless.

Could you already have wireless and not realise it? Yes, and here is how to find out for sure! As wireless networking is becoming cheaper day after day, an increasing number of laptops and desktop computers are being launched on the market pre-equipped with such devices as an additional feature of the system.

As a matter of fact, you might already have wireless networking without even realizing it. Therefore, you should take the time to read your computer's specifications, and set up the network if you have one. Let's take a look at what you should verify to better understand your computer's wireless capabilities.

Intel Centrino for Wireless Laptop Computers

If your laptop comes equipped with 'Intel Centrino mobile technology', you already have wireless networking built in. Even though computer manufacturers do not usually explain what this technology is in an understandable way, you can relax because your computer is wireless-enabled and there's nothing you have to do. The name stands for the Intel Pentium M processor and Intel's Pro/Wireless card combined.

If your computer is Centrino enabled, look for some kind of 'Centrino' sticker on it or verify your processor' s name by checking what comes after the word 'Computer' on the screen, after right clicking the My Computer icon on your desktop (or in the Start Menu) and selecting Properties from the menu.

What's more, this technology can also increase battery life and enable computers to be smaller. However, even if you do not have a Centrino laptop, you should still be able to install wireless networking provided that your laptop has a free card slot.

Desktop Computers

To check whether your desktop computer already has wireless networking capability installed, simply turn it around and take a look at it. If you have a wireless connection, there should typically be a little aerial coming out from the back of the computer, towards the bottom.

If there's nothing there, your computer might still be equipped with wireless devices especially if you purchased it recently. However, you don't have to open up your computer just to verify this possibility; use Windows instead.

Checking in Windows

In order to discover more about your computer capabilities, you can simply use Windows' Device Manager by right clicking My Computer, and choosing Manage from that menu.

If you then choose Device Manager, a list containing all the different kinds of things you can install on your computer should appear in front of you. Go to 'Network adapters' and if beside the words '10/100' or 'Ethernet', which are usual network connections, there's anything else there your computer could be a wireless device.

If you see you have a wireless device, but there is a yellow warning sign next to its name in the Device Manager, double click its name to figure out what the problem is. Windows will explain why the device is temporarily out of work, and may even advise you to run its troubleshooter program. This is what you should do before trying anything else.

If you find out that there is a driver problem, insert the drivers CD that were included in computer. If you cannot to find this CD, you can still look for drivers online. Start by taking a look at the website of your computer's manufacturer, and then try to look for the name of the wireless device you found in Device Manager.

Of course, you may also discover that your computer is not wireless-enabled, but at least you can avoid buying wireless equipment you will not be able to use. Furthermore, even if your computer does not already have wireless device connections, keep in mind that wireless enabled computers' prices are decreasing constantly!





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