Wi-Fi enabled

[Teabag]

Hi, I recently set up a home network which works fine, with a desktop connected by ethernet and a laptop by wireless. My question is about the laptop. The router came with a matching wireless pc card, which we are using, but the laptop is 'WiFi enabled'. Does this mean it can be used without the pc card? and if so which is better and how do I do it?. Probably sounds a daft question, but wireless can be a minefield and it took me long enough to set the whole thing up, so any advice would be great. Thanks, Teabag

[Fitzer]

Hello again Teabag, if the lappy is wireless enabled then there should either be a physical switch to turn on the wireless which should then search for your router and Bob's your Uncle, or it may be software controlled in which case it would probably be in Control Panel. As to which would be better the card or the inbuilt, go for the inbuilt every time, it uses less battery power, you free up your card slot and you can switch it off (probably) when you don't need it and save even more battery.

[Teabag]

Thanks again Fitzer, this is a brilliant website. I've looked and it's a software job. When I set the thing up I used the software that came with the router and card (3Com). I'll have a go at trying the laptop's inbuilt WiFi. Thanks again, Teabag

[wideboy]

As Fitzer says, use the built-in Wi-Fi. You then have a spare USB wi-fi for the future or if someone visits with a laptop which isn't wireless.