How To Achieve a Wireless Internet Connection Without a Wireless Network CardJose MendezMarch 6, 2010ENGL 393

Introduction• This process is meant for anyone who has a desktop computer (which

does not have a Wireless Network Card) that they would like to connect to their Wireless Network.

• If buying a Wireless Network Card is out of the question, it is possible to achieve wireless on the desktop computer through a laptop.

• This process assumes that the user has a basic knowledge of computers, the Windows operating system, and connecting to a wireless network.

• All steps are done using Windows 7.

• Materials:▫ 1 Desktop Computer▫ 1 Laptop▫ 1 Ethernet Cable▫ Accessible Wireless Internet Connection

Step 1: Overview

•This is what the system will look like once complete

•Make sure both computers are on

Step 2

•Connect to your wireless network on the laptop

Step 3

•On the laptop, click on the Windows “Start” button

•Click on “Control Panel”

Step 4

•Click on “View network status and tasks”

Step 5

•Click on “Change adapter settings”

Step 6

•Click on “Local Area Connection”

•While holding the “ctrl” button on the keyboard, click on “Wireless Network Connection” so that both are selected

Step 7

•Right Click on “Wireless Network Connection”

•Click on “Add to Bridge”

Step 8

•Wait for the bridge to be established

Step 9

• The “Network Bridge” should now have the Wireless Network’s name under it (in this case, “UMBC Campus”)

• The “Wireless Network Connection” should now say “Enabled, Bridged” under it

Step 10

•Plug one end of the Ethernet cable into the desktop computer’s Ethernet port

•Plug the other end of the Ethernet cable into the laptop computer’s Ethernet port

Step 11

•The “Local Area Connection” should now say “Enabled, Bridged” under it

Step 12

•Set-up is complete

• The desktop computer is now connected wirelessly to the Internet

TroubleshootingProblem Cause Solution

The desktop computer cannot connect to the internet

•The laptop is not connected to a wireless Internet connection

•The Ethernet cable is not plugged in

•Check that the laptop is on, is connected to the Internet, and can load a webpage

•Check that the Ethernet cable is connected to the desktop and the laptop