Wireless pc card advice needed

[larrysSRI]

As title, I need some advice about purchasing a wireless pc card for my laptop.
I have always used a usb wireless adapter but this has died on me so was thinking of getting a wireless card instead.
My laptop is a dell and about 3 yrs old.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Cheers

[67688c]

As title, I need some advice about purchasing a wireless pc card for my laptop.
I have always used a usb wireless adapter but this has died on me so was thinking of getting a wireless card instead.
My laptop is a dell and about 3 yrs old.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Cheers

Unusual that your laptop did not come with wireless built-in... strange! as most do. Almost everything in a laptop is built-in on one main board, it's rare to find any that can take separate cards, other than on some of the more expensive ones which may have a separate video card, but thats about it.

Due to the fact it's a laptop it's highly unlikely you will be able to fit a separate wireless card. I think you are limited to the USB type.

If it had been a normal desktop, it would have been a simple process.

[neverton]

Hi,
If you havent got wireless built in, which as 67688c said is unusual, then you pretty much have 3 choices;

1) Get another USB wireless adaptor
2) Get a PCMCIA (credit card, fits into the slot on the side of the laptop)
3) See if you can get the internal wireless adaptor for the Dell you have, might be able to find one on ebay.

[larrysSRI]

I have a netgear Wg111v2 wireless usb adapter that has stopped working owith my laptop although I have just used it ok with my desktop pc?
Obviously it is a problem with my laptop then? Drivers missing?

[Decker]

larry,
Some laptops can still take the wirless card. i have an old compaq which my daughter has i bought a t-link cheapo card and its been fine .

I have not seen anything noticably different between that and the Linksys card in my sons pc and my other laptops internal wireless.

So to be honest would just take cheapest option going if i were you.

[Decker]

see that happen before larry where usb stopped working but it was down to a conflict as a friend got one of them bluetooth usb adapters also and the usb did not like it.

[Steves-Vec]

No expert here but possilbly just re-install it with the software CD or just connect it to internet with Router via ethernet cable and and re-install or download drivers that way if the adapter is not faulty/broken.

[Ian S100]

Check that it's not just switched off in the Bios - also, if it's anything like my Dell Inspiron laptop the Wireless isn't on the mainboard it's on a small board under one of the screw on access covers underneath, but be aware that it probably costs more from as a spare from Dell than the original laptop cost - I'd go with a USB dongle, cheaper & simpler

[Big Knox]

Firstly may I compliment you on your choice of laptop can I ask what model you have?

[Big Knox]

Firstly may I compliment you on your choice of laptop can I ask what model you have?