1. First you will need to determine if you have all the hardware you need. You may need to buy wireless network adapters for one or more computers. If you don't already have a wireless router, you will need one. Be sure to buy one that has a slot for a printer. Look at the box when shopping. The picture in Step 3 shows what a wireless router that has a printer connection looks like.Be prepared to spend several hours setting up your network. Have the manufacturers' toll free numbers handy in case you run into trouble along the way.
NOTE: If you already have a wireless router and it is an older wireless structure such as Wireless G and you buy a new network card that is Wireless N, your wireless adapter will work, but it will only work at the Wireless G level. I have found that the newer Wireless N structure works far better than the older Wireless formats so if you can afford to buy a new router, I recommend it. Your wireless connection will only be as good as your wireless router.
2.
If you are installing a wired router for the first time, now is the time to set it up. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for installing the router. Most manufacturers advise you to shut power down before plugging something into the router so go ahead and do that first. Typically, you will be plugging a DSL or Cable internet connection into the wired router. You will plug the cable or phone line connection into the rear of the router as the instructions on the manufacturers' website or instruction booklet tells you to. Follow manufacturers' instructions for installation but if you have any trouble, there are toll free numbers available to you by the equipment manufacturer that you can call. It is usually fairly simple to set up a wired router if you follow manufacturers instructions.
3.
Now is the time to set up your wireless router. The typical wireless router made by Linksys, Apple or Netgear will have four ethernet connections on the back. Like wired routers, the manufacturer will probably recommend you power off the wireless router before plugging new cables in. You will need a Cat 5 cable to plug your wireless router into your wired router. Hopefully you paid attention to step one and have a wireless router that has a printer port on it. you can see that the Apple Airport Extreme Router in this photo has one. It is simply a USB port. Run the wireless router's software wizard to help you set up a password encryption so other people in the neighborhood won't be using YOUR wireless or be able to see what is on your computer. If you are especially cautious, set up the firewall that comes with all new wireless routers by following the manufacturers instructions.
4.
There are two types of wireless network cards available for computers. You can buy a wireless network adapter that plugs into an external USB port on your computer or you may opt to purchase a wireless PCI adapter card. If you feel comfortable opening up your computer and installing an internal card, this is the best way to go because USB wireless cards can wreak havoc on your computer's memory, causing your operating system to slow down in response.
5. Once you have determined that you have all the hardware equipment you need, you should go to the manufacturer of your wireless network card adapter's website. For example, if you bought a Linksys adapter, visit the Linksys website and look for a link to either 'Downloads' or 'support'. Put in the model number of your adapter and download the latest software and drivers for the item. This is crucial because the software that shipped with your adapter is probably out of date. If you are running Windows Vista on any computer, the network card won't work properly without updated drivers.
6. Few of us likes to do it, but before you try to install any network cards or routers, read the installation instructions. Network card adapters are usually installed only after you install the software. So read the manufacturer instructions and install the software. Then you will be ready for the next step.
7.
This Step is for People using Internal PCI network adapter cards:
After you have have installed the correct software and drivers for your wireless network adapters (or cards as some people call them), shut down the computers you are adding the adapters to.
After the computers have shut down, unplug them from the household electricity. After unplugging the computer (s), press the power button on the computers several times to discharge any residual power build up inside the machine.
Following your computer manufacturers instructions, open the case on your computer to reach its internal components.
NOTE: WEAR THE WRIST STRAP to contain any static electricity you might be carrying. Your computer's mother board can be completely ruined if you don't use the wrist strap to avoid static electricity charges.
Look to see where the PCI slots are located inside your computer.
8. Before powering your computer back on, go ahead and set the printer up where you would like it to be. This will necessarily need to be close to the wireless router, depending on how long your printer's cable is. Plug your printer's USB cable into the back of the router. Plug the printer into household power.
9. This step is for People Installing Internal PCI wireless network adapters:
After you have located the PCI slots, determine which one you will use. Behind the slot, you will see a metal strip that can be unscrewed. Unscrew the metal strip that has previously protected dust and other debris from entering your computer. Make sure that your wrist strap protector is clipped to the metal casing on your computer. Gently but firmly place the PCI network adapter into the slot you chose and push it in using a finger or two from each hand on the top of the adapter card and push into the slot completely while making sure the back of the card that will cover up the slot hole in the back of your computer is placed correctly. You shouldn't meet too much resistance while doing this. If you do, the adapter may not be placed correctly. Stop, make sure you have it where it needs to be. Don't force the adapter into the slot if it doesn't seem to fit correctly. You can damage the slot or the card if you don't have it aligned properly. Once you have the adapter card seated properly, and have screwed the metal strip on the back of the adapter card in, re-attach your computer's case housing and plug it back into the household power.
10. This step is for people using USB network adapters: First let me say one more time that even though USB network adapters are easy to install, they are inferior to PCI internal cards. USB adapters often make your computer run sluggishly as it uses up Randam Access Memory (RAM) which is the equivalent of short term memory in humans. If you have top notch ram and aren't worried about memory loss, go ahead and use the USB adapter. Now that you have installed the correct drivers and software for your wireless network adapter, turn off the computer. Unplug it from the household electricity. Press the on switch on your computer several times to discharge any residual power. Now plug the USB network adapter into an available USB slot. Plug your computer back in and power on.
11. Once your computer is powered on, you should see notification that your computer has detected new hardware and is installing it. If you have correctly installed the manufacturers' software, simply follow its instructions. If you haven't yet installed the wireless router, your new wireless adapter will be searching for a signal and probably won't find one unless some generous person in your neighborhood is offering their own free wireless which happens surprisingly often. That's okay. If your network adapter is searching for a signal, you are on the right path. Sometimes it takes a few minutes for your wireless adapter to find your wireless router signal. You should see your wireless network. Click on it and if you have put in a password on your wireless router, enter the password when prompted. You are now wireless!
12. If you are sharing a printer between a Mac and a PC, make sure you have installed the latest drivers. To share the printer from Apple wireless, you will need to install Bonjour on each PC. This is a very small program and easy to install and load. You can download it here: http://developer.apple.com/networking/bonjour/index.html
Download it and install it on each PC. Apple software is almost always easier to install than what you are used to if you are using a PC. The Bonjour software will walk you through the installation step by step and find the computer on the network that you want to share with the Mac computer. Just make sure you make it your default printer. Voila...you are set to go. You are now wireless!
No comments:
Post a Comment