Wireless Question...

[Matt Breuer]

I always bring my laptop to work with me, but was told by IT that I wouldn't be able to hard-wire in anymore, and I had to use my wireless connection. Well my wireless card isn't working, or something isn't right. I've tried fixing it and had IT look at it, and something's goofy. Anyway, it's an older laptop so I can't see spending $60/hour to some kid to get it fixed. Is there something out there that I can buy that will hold value in the future? IT suggested a USB wireless adapter? Is there a better option? Opinions please!

[MuleShack]

If they are telling you that you cant hard wire into the network, then wifi into their network presents the same security issues... (if that was the reason?)

It is possible that the wifi card is not turned on.

May have to go into the properties of the wifi card to make sure it is set to the right settings. If the card itself is bad, I would spend the $40 for a new internal card rather than the cheap plug in USB ones. From what I read on revies with those things, the reception is poor and some fail too.

You sure they weren't talking about the 3G wireless USB modems from a wireless company like sprint or verizon? Expensive but it would be independent and portable.

[Matt Breuer]

I think the card is on. I would think that was one of the first things she checked. If not, I have no idea how to do so...

All computers utilizing the hard-wires have to be on the network, and approved work computers. I was told directly by IT that I had to go wireless.

I would have to pay someone a ridiculous hourly rate to install the card, or is it simple?

She said the USB card for sure, said they were cheap.

[spearchucker]

I have used the USB adapters and they work just fine. Sometimes the reception is better because they usually come with a pigtail cord so you position it higher if needed. Probably not a reception problem in an office.

The only way I would not recommend USB is if the laptop was older enough where it didn't have USB 2.0.

[MuleShack]

I would have to pay someone a ridiculous hourly rate to install the card, or is it simple?

I replaced one on a Dell Inspiron a few months ago and it was pretty simple. I found the directions online. 2 screws to remove the keyboard cover, disconect the keyboard wire and then 2 screws to release the wifi card.

[LwnmwnMan2]

We use the USB adapters on a couple of desktops on our home network, since they were on sale rather than the card. They work fine.

You should be able to find some without the cord, that just plug directly into the USB port.

When you're done, you can just unplug the adapter and go home.

[spearchucker]

You don't have to use the cord. It is just a usb extension cable.

[PierBridge]

You should be able to find a USB Wifi adapter for around $20-30....

[spearchucker]

Look for some refurbished ones that are around at different places online. I got a Netgear USB adapter for $9.99 and it works great.

[upnorth]

The USB wireless cards are pretty simple, plug them in and you may have to pop the CD into install the drivers.

What version of windows do you have? If it is XP you should be able to go into control panel and network connections and find the wireless connection in there. Also in most case you can look at the lower right hand corner and see icons your networks, local and wireless, if you see one that looks kind of radio looking double click on that see if it shows as wireless. It should show any available broadcasting networks.

With Enterprise wireless separate networks can be setup to allow and control access to the local network. At a hospital that I worked at we had 5 seperate wireless networks setup with differnet authentication methods and different access to our LAN or no LAN access, Internet access.