Desk Computer

[grandmacath]

Can anyone helpme please , I have moved my desk computer upstairs now it was connected to wifi down stairs which we use now for our laptop and tablets but would like to get the one upstairs on net ,have been told there is something I can get to plug into computer to receive the wifi from down stairs but don't know what to look for thanks

[hc4361]

You need a wifi adapter which can either be a wifi card you put inside the pc or a dongle you plug in to a USB port.
Both are less than £15

[hc4361]

Sorry, I have re read the question.

How was it connected to the internet when it was downstairs - by wifi or ethernet cable?

[grandmacath]

It was connected via a lead from the wifi to the computer

[Gromit]

You were connected by Ethernet cable when it was downstairs.

That does not mean your desktop does not have a built in wifi card. You may not have to buy anything, most computers have wifi built in. What model is it?

[grandmacath]

Thanks both ,the computer is a compaq presario windows Xperia

[hc4361]

Firstly you need to open your device manager:

http://pcsupport.about.com/od/windowsxp/ht/accessdmcpnxp.htm

Then click 'network adapters' to see if you have wifi installed

[hc4361]

You are looking for 'network adapter', mine says Broadcom 802.11n network adapter as an example

[bhg481]

Alternatively a pair of these:

http://www.7dayshop.com/products/trendnet-powerline-500-av-nano-adapter-kit-TPL-406E2K

Plug one in near your router and one near your desktop. Ethernet cable from the router to adapter (the one that used to go to your computer) and another one from the second adapter to your computer. Cables are supplied.

[hc4361]

We don't know if the pc is already wifi enabled yet

[bhg481]

I forgot to add - if you are short of mains outlets, you can get them with pass-through like this:

Amazon.co.uk User Recommendation

[Gromit]

^ ^
Why pay £35 if the desktop already has wifi?

[bhg481]

If the desktop already has wifi, why wasn't he using it before?

[hc4361]

My desktop is wifi enabled but it is connected by ethernet. It is faster, safer and more reliable, so why not? All my other computers and devices connect by wifi.

[bhg481]

Me too, hc4361, for the same reasons as you. So grandmacath might want to stick to cable connections for those reasons.

When I went to fibre and they insisted on putting my router in the hall I went the ethernet-adapter way to keep my desktop (in the bedroom) wired.

[hc4361]

They don't work in my house - upstairs and downstairs are on separate rings

[bhg481]

That's interesting hc4361. We have 2 ring mains (original house and extension). I've just tried and an adapter on each ring works OK. Have you actually tried, or did you just think it wouldn't work?

[hc4361]

I've tried.

[bhg481]

We've got circuit-breakers (as opposed to fuses) but not RCD. Are you the same?

[hc4361]

I have no idea. I'm no electrician :)

Apologies for hijacking your thread, grandmacath.

[bhg481]

Apologies from me also grandmacath, although it could be relevant if she chooses to use the ethernet-adapter route.