Do I have Wifi ?

[modeller]

My Belkon router has aerials but I connect it with an ethernet cable. I also have a spare wireless mouse which works OK althouh I prefer to use an ordinary cable connected mouse. However does that mean my desktop PC is WIFI enabled and I would be able to use a Kindle ereader or any Laptop wirelessly. Or do I need to find a WIFI hotspot in my area. ?

[ChuckFickens]

If the router has aerials then yes it's wireless and a kindle or or wireless laptop will work with it..

A wireless mouse is totally different.

[DB_7]

If your router has aerials it is usally wireless enabled.

However most desktop pc's are not and need an add on card, most modern laptops are wireless. You usually need a password to connect to the wireless sent out by your router,

[Sqad]

What would be the point in having a desktop WIFI enabled......you not going to take it anywhere .........sorry i am not an IT expert.......but just wondered?

[DB_7]

@ squad - what if the power socket is nowhere near you router and you dont want to trail cables ;-)

[Ellipsis]

> My Belkon router has aerials

OK, that means it is almopst certainly Wi-Fi.

> but I connect it with an ethernet cable.

That means you're not using the Wi-fi.

> I also have a spare wireless mouse which works OK althouh I prefer to use an ordinary cable connected mouse.

Nothing to do with Wi-fi whatsoever.

> However does that mean my desktop PC is WIFI enabled

No, it means your router is wireless enabled. Your PC probably isn't.

> and I would be able to use a Kindle ereader or any Laptop wirelessly.

Yes, because they will connect via Wi-fi to your router - not your desktop PC.

> Or do I need to find a WIFI hotspot in my area. ?

No, you don't.

[Sqad]

DB_7......I told you that I wasn't an IT expert ;-)

[sidkid]

If you can connect to your router using an ethernet cable you will probably receive faster data transfer than wireless. I use a wifi dongle in my desktop as it's in a different room now. When it was hardwired it was faster....

[modeller]

Thanks for all your answers and you are right the wireless mouse does work without the router being switched on , so how does it connect with the PC ?

[modeller]

Sqad // What would be the point in having a desktop WIFI enabled......you not going to take it anywhere // Quite right but I would want to take the kindle, a laptop or a tablet down the garden.