Most people at some point will want to be able to use the Internet on their laptop either at home or when out and about. There are various ways of connecting your laptop to the Internet but the two main methods are either by Wireless or by an Ethernet cable.
Using a Wireless Connection for Internet Access
Wireless or Wi-Fi as it is called, is the ability to connect to the Internet without using any wires or cables. Most laptops are already Wi-Fi enabled which means you don’t have to buy any special cards first.
If your laptop is not Wi-Fi enabled then you will also need to purchase a Wireless Network Adapter which you just place in the PC card slot in your laptop.
When connecting at home all you need is a Broadband connection from a service provider and a Wireless Router.
When you are away from home you can connect to one of the many Wi-Fi hotspots available. Nowadays airports, hotels, cafés and many other locations and venues offer Wi-Fi access.
Setting up a Wireless (Wi-Fi) connection on your laptop is not difficult. To connect using Wi-Fi simply click on the Wi-Fi icon at the bottom right hand side of your screen and go to properties and then Wireless Networks. There you should see your Network listed. If your Network is not listed then you will of course have to add it first.
Click on the Network name that you want to connect to and enter your SSID and WEP key if required. If you have a router then you will normally have that information already or you could be given it when you purchase access.
That should allow you to connect immediately and you are ready browse the Internet.
Ethernet Connection
Using an Ethernet cable to connect is not as convenient as Wireless as you will have to be positioned in one place. You won’t be able to use the Internet on the bus or in a café for example.
If you have a router at home already then it’s easy. To connect your laptop to the Internet using an Ethernet cable, simply plug one end of the Ethernet cable into the router and the other end into your laptop.
If you have a PC that is connected to your router already then you can unplug the cable from your PC leaving the other end connected to your router and plug the cable directly into your laptop and obtain a connection that way.
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