Is Wireless internet on Dimension desktop possible?

Question

We live out in the middle of the woods where high speed internet is not available. We are getting a tower installed to make wireless internet available in our community. Can I use wireless internet with a desktop computer? Or is that only a laptop type thing? What do I have to buy to make my Dimension compatible?

_Paladin · Answer

Hilton62,

Yes, you can make a desktop wireless. Most manufacturers of wireless equipment, Linksys, D-Link, Belkin, Netgear, all make wireless network adapters for desktops. Here is an example from Linksys. It supports Wi-Fi wireless access to an access point within 300 feet.

But, that's not the kind of wireless you will need to receive a signal from the new tower being installed. Most likely you will need proprietary equipment from the service provider installing that tower. That equipment will include a special grid antenna mounted on your house to receive the signal as well as either a specialized modem or specialized adapter card for your PC. Only the service provider will be able to tell you (and probably sell you) the equipment you need.

Romany777 · Answer

This is the same question I have only we will be connecting through our cell phone company.  We get good cell phone coverage here but there is no cable/DSL available.  Cell phone company techie told me that we could use one of their wireless PC cards in the desktop - Sierra Wireless Aircard 860 or the Option GT Max.  These are both PCI cards but not PCI-Express cards.  Before I unplug everything and open it up - does a Dell Dimension 4550 have any PCI slots?  What sort of connection speed might we get?  The cell phone techie was talking about 90-130kps (which is about what we've got with our ISDN line).   Is that realistic?   Thanks!

_Paladin · Answer

Romany777,

We need to be very careful with symantics here. The Sierra Aircard 860 (pictured here) is a PC Card, not a PCI card. It is designed to fit in the PC Card slot of a laptop computer. The GT Max is likewise a PC Card.

Does the D4550 have PCI slots? Yes, but PCI slots are not what you want.

There are PC Card adapters available. They are designed to adapt a laptop PC card to a desktop PC. Here are some examples after using Google to search for "PC Card desktop adapter." Those are just examples. There are lots of manufacturers. The adapter plugs into the PCI slot in the desktop PC and provides a PC Card slot that is accessible at the rear of the PC.

I have no idea about speed.

Romany777 · Answer

Thanks - having seen both laptop cards and desktop cards I was sure that I was missing something.  Sometimes you just know that you're not getting the right answer.

Hilton62 · Answer

The solution we came to doesnt involve opening up the computer at all. Our wireless provider hooked up an antenna on the eave of our roof, with a cable that comes down into the house to another little box with an antenna. Then there is an adapter we plug into a USB port on the desktop. This works for us because we end up with our entire house 'wireless' so to speak. We can also use the laptop anywhere we want, ie, the back porch..hit print...and it prints in the office.   Hilton62

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

Is Wireless internet on Dimension desktop possible?

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