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72504
HOW DO I ENABLE WIFI ON A DELL INSPIRON 4000?
I own an Inspiron 4000.
Here is the description of the current hardware and software
configuration
DELL INSPIRON 4000 Current Configuration
System Summary
Quantity Part Description
1 PROCESSOR, PIII, 900, 256K, PGA2, D0
1 ASSEMBLY, DOCS, TECHNICAL SHEET, CABLE, BAY (DRIVE BAY), DELL
AMERICAS ORGANIZATION, I4000
1 ADAPTER, ALTERNATING CURRENT, EXTERNAL, 20V, 70W, 3W, BELL
ATLANTIC
1 ASSEMBLY, PALMREST, INSPIRON, I4000
1 SUBASSEMBLY, LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY, SAMSUNG, EXTENDED GRAPHICS
ARRAY, I4000
1 KIT, COVER, HINGE, I4000
1 BASE (ASSEMBLY OR GROUP), NOTEBOOK, ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MFGR.,
PENTIUM III, C600, I4K, ADD
1 KEYBOARD, 87, US/ENG, C600/I4K, R2
1 CASE, CARRYING, NYLON, NOTEBOOK, I7500
1 BATTERY, 59WHR, 14.8V, 8CELL, DIRECT SHIP
1 MODEM, 56K, V90.PCMCIA, PSION DACOM, WORLD WIDE
1 KIT, DOCS ON FLOPPY DISK, MODEM, PSION DACOM, WORLD WIDE
1 SUBASSEMBLY, COMPACT DISK READ WRITE, SONY, KIT, OMAHA, WORLD
WIDE
1 CARRIER, HARD DRIVE, C600/I4000
1 HARD DRIVE, 40GB, FUJITSU
1 CONNECTOR, HEADER, 2X22, FEMALE, 2, S, G, 35K, THIRD HEIGHT,
CHIP SET
1 ASSEMBLY, FLOPPY DRIVE, INT/EXT, NOTEBOOK, LIGHT WEIGHT
1 KIT, SOFTWARE, OFCXPSB, ENGLAND/ENGLISH, ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT
MFGR.
1 KIT, SOFTWARE, MS-MNY-2K1, ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MFGR.,
ENGLAND/ENGLISH
2 DUAL IN-LINE MEMORY MODULE, 256, 100M, 32X64, 4K, 144, NETSCAPE
loaded the latest bios revision A23
replaced Windows 2000 Professional with Windows XP SP2
configuration
DELL INSPIRON 4000 Current Configuration
System Summary
Quantity Part Description
1 PROCESSOR, PIII, 900, 256K, PGA2, D0
1 ASSEMBLY, DOCS, TECHNICAL SHEET, CABLE, BAY (DRIVE BAY), DELL
AMERICAS ORGANIZATION, I4000
1 ADAPTER, ALTERNATING CURRENT, EXTERNAL, 20V, 70W, 3W, BELL
ATLANTIC
1 ASSEMBLY, PALMREST, INSPIRON, I4000
1 SUBASSEMBLY, LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY, SAMSUNG, EXTENDED GRAPHICS
ARRAY, I4000
1 KIT, COVER, HINGE, I4000
1 BASE (ASSEMBLY OR GROUP), NOTEBOOK, ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MFGR.,
PENTIUM III, C600, I4K, ADD
1 KEYBOARD, 87, US/ENG, C600/I4K, R2
1 CASE, CARRYING, NYLON, NOTEBOOK, I7500
1 BATTERY, 59WHR, 14.8V, 8CELL, DIRECT SHIP
1 MODEM, 56K, V90.PCMCIA, PSION DACOM, WORLD WIDE
1 KIT, DOCS ON FLOPPY DISK, MODEM, PSION DACOM, WORLD WIDE
1 SUBASSEMBLY, COMPACT DISK READ WRITE, SONY, KIT, OMAHA, WORLD
WIDE
1 CARRIER, HARD DRIVE, C600/I4000
1 HARD DRIVE, 40GB, FUJITSU
1 CONNECTOR, HEADER, 2X22, FEMALE, 2, S, G, 35K, THIRD HEIGHT,
CHIP SET
1 ASSEMBLY, FLOPPY DRIVE, INT/EXT, NOTEBOOK, LIGHT WEIGHT
1 KIT, SOFTWARE, OFCXPSB, ENGLAND/ENGLISH, ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT
MFGR.
1 KIT, SOFTWARE, MS-MNY-2K1, ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MFGR.,
ENGLAND/ENGLISH
2 DUAL IN-LINE MEMORY MODULE, 256, 100M, 32X64, 4K, 144, NETSCAPE
loaded the latest bios revision A23
replaced Windows 2000 Professional with Windows XP SP2
I want to upgrade my system so that it will be WIFI enabled. In other
words I need to logon to the internet from a WIFI hotspot like Starbucks so
that I can download large files. Please tell me what hardware and
software components I need to install to make this happen.
words I need to logon to the internet from a WIFI hotspot like Starbucks so
that I can download large files. Please tell me what hardware and
software components I need to install to make this happen.
mauisunset
127 Posts
0
August 26th, 2007 04:00
I've had good luck with either the Linksys USB or PCMCIA wireless products. Most wi-fi hotspots are usually G or B wireless, so you want to buy a Wireless G card (which is backward compatible with B). I would not invest the money in a Wireless N card unless you have N already at home.
The nice thing about USB is that it's plug and play - I'm not sure if your Dell has USB 2.0 or not, or if that matters with the wireless.
No matter which one you get, I recommend you unplug or remove the wireless card from the USB or PCMCIA slot when carrying the laptop around. I've seen people bring me busted PCMCIA cards or laptops with broken USB jacks at work because they were too lazy (or clumsy) when carrying their laptops around with the devices still plugged in.
Because nearly all laptops have built in wireless now, check with any friends, co-workers or if you work for a company with corporate wireless, ask an PC IT guy at work if they have any laptop wireless cards they no longer want.
jcorominas
24 Posts
0
August 26th, 2007 08:00
jec4312
366 Posts
0
August 26th, 2007 08:00
mauisunset
127 Posts
0
August 26th, 2007 15:00
Installing wireless in your desktop PC is possible but it would require you to buy another wireless card. If you buy Linksys equipment for the router, PCMCIA card for laptop and let's say a USB or PCI card for the desktop, you're talking about $49 + $49 + $49 at retail prices. Note: Linksys does sell a bundled router plus PCMCIA wireless card but it may be difficult to find in a retail store - you might find one on-line some place.
As for which router, the one I recommend is the Linksys WRT54G. There are other Linksys G routers available with features such as "SpeedBooster" but unless you have the Linksys wireless cards that are also equipped with SpeedBooster, the feature won't be of any help to you.
You might want to look at posts under the Network/Internet/Wireless forum to see what others might have recommended.
jcorominas
24 Posts
0
August 27th, 2007 00:00
mauisunset
127 Posts
1
August 27th, 2007 01:00
One bit of advice - it's a good idea to use the same brand wireless cards as your router. So if your home wireless router is Linksys, buy linksys cards, etc. This makes it easier in case you have issues and have to call the manufacturer for technical support.
BTW, you can buy wireless equipment and cards form many different places: Fry's, NewEgg (web retailer), Amazon, Circuit City, Best Buy, Staples, Office Depot and Office Max. I think Dell sells NetGear products. Availability and brands vary by store.
One advantage from buying from Amazon is that you can avoid Sales Tax if Amazon does not have a warehouse in your state and depending on the amount of the order, you might qualify for free shipping.
Message Edited by mauisunset on 08-26-2007 09:16 PM