Desktop to connect wirelessly

[Panic Button]

What is the device that I need, to connect a desktop computer to a wireless internet router?

Why shouldn't I buy the cheapest?

[hc4361]

~Wifi adapter. You can have an internal one like this.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Edimax-EW-7728In-802-1 1n-WiFi-Card/dp/B000VK9BZE/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8& s=electronics&qid=1246457600&sr=8-9
Or a usb one like this.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lm-Technologies-802-11 g-Wireless-Network/dp/B000CC3ZFS/ref=sr_1_1?ie =UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1246457600&sr=8-1

[ChuckFickens]

Internal is more reliable, but do you really need to connect your desktop wirelessly! wireless is much less reliable than wired and as your not going to be movinig about the house with a desktop computer so use wired if you can.

[Panic Button]

We are already wireless with a laptop, and no easy phone point for the desktop.

[realaleman]

You just need a pair of powerline plugs. Plug one into the mains near your desktop PC and run an ethernet cable between them. Plug the other one into the mains near the router and run another ethernet cable. It then behaves as if you have a direct ethernet connection from PC to router, without any of the hassles of wireless. I'm using the ones that came with my BT Vision box, but I have also used Advent brand powerlines which also worked brilliantly.
I originally used a usb wifi adapter but had no end of trouble but now I get no loss of connection at all.

Hope this helps.

[Panic Button]

That's probably a good idea, but you might aswell have written it in Greek. What's ethernet?

[Androcles]

Ethernet is a system for operating networks. Most Desktops have an ethernet port - it looks like a slightly bigger telephone port. Pop into PC world or Maplins or similar and they have dozsens of them from 1 metre long to cable reels!

[Panic Button]

...and you plug that into the mains? Doesn't sound very safe!

[ACtheTROLL]

no it doesn't sound safe ... amazingly they sell 1000s and despite killing most of the people who buy them.... they still keep selling them!!!!!!!!!!!

homeplug has been round for ages and is as safe as the (mains powered) power unit that powers your 'puter or laptop, or tv, or ... well just about everything
(3 powers in one sentence)

forget ethernet and all the other stuff you should have an idea about

you buy 2 homeplugs
1 near the router - cable from router to plug
1 near 'puter - cable from plug to 'puter

nothing hard about it - and it will work more reliably

[Panic Button]

Blimey, thanks all.

I've never heard of such things, but will look into it. Excellent