Enabling Wi-Fi adapter on a laptop. External WiFi adapters

In this article, I promised to tell you about one interesting scheme that can be used to connect a TV to the Internet wirelessly.

I will quickly tell you what the essence of this method is and in what cases it can be used. Well, then, let's start setting up.

This method is useful when your TV does not have a built-in Wi-Fi receiver, in which case, the TV can only be connected via a network cable. But, you don't want to pull the cable from the router, or it just doesn't work.

Yes, you can buy this very branded external Wi-Fi receiver. But it costs twice as much as a simple router. But I am still inclined to believe that you will use this method in the case when you already have a router that is simply idle.

Or for example, the signal of your Wi-Fi network does not catch in the place where the TV is. Yes, in this case, you can also buy a Wi-Fi repeater that will amplify the signal of your wireless network. But even a regular router can be configured as a repeater.

What do we do?

We'll take the router (which, for example, is gathering dust somewhere in your locker), install it somewhere near the TV, and configure it in repeater mode. Then, from this router, connect the network cable to the TV. That's the whole scheme.

Now a little more detail.

So, we take our router and install it near the TV. I have it TP-Link TL-MR3220, I've had it for a long time already idle. It is not necessary to install it near the TV itself, for example, you can even somewhere on the floor, behind the bedside table.

We plug the router into an outlet (you don't have to connect to the TV yet)... The main thing is to configure the router in repeater mode. We need it to take the Internet from your main router and transfer it to the TV. We configure everything according to this instruction -.

And only after this router (which we put near the TV) will distribute the Internet, go to the second step. To test, just connect your laptop or phone. If the Internet works, then you can connect the TV. If, nevertheless, you failed to configure the bridge mode, then you need to remember that not all routers can work in this mode with each other. (I'm now about device incompatibility)... It's good when both devices are from the same company, then there are more chances to make them friends.

If you succeed, then.

by the author: admin

In this article I will talk about Wi-Fi adapters for laptops. What is it and why are they needed, where are they located, what they look like, how to replace, configure, etc. I think this article will be useful to everyone who has problems with setting up and connecting to a Wi-Fi network. And especially for those who have a broken internal adapter in a laptop. This, unfortunately, sometimes happens.

In laptops, the Wi-Fi module is internal. It is connected to the laptop motherboard, or soldered into it. But in newer models, the wireless module is usually soldered into the board. Wi-Fi antennas are connected to it. Which very often simply do not connect after cleaning from dust, or other repairs, etc.

As a rule, there are no problems with connecting laptops to wireless networks. There are snags with drivers for this built-in Wi-Fi module. Either there is no driver for the installed Windows, then the "curve" driver, or the user himself will install the wrong driver. Also, the module itself can be disabled in the settings.

If there is no Wi-Fi on the laptop, does this mean that the internal module is broken?

No, not required. If there is no Wireless, WLAN, 802.11 adapter in the device manager, then it is quite possible that the problem is in the driver. Or the adapter is disabled. True, when it is disabled, or works with an error, it should still be displayed in the device manager, on the network adapters tab. It may have a yellow exclamation mark next to it, or it will be inactive (a little transparent).

Below you can see what the wireless model looks like in Device Manager on my laptop. When it works fine.

You can also enable the display of hidden devices if the adapter is not there. Perhaps it will appear, and you can activate it by right-clicking on it.

I have already written many articles about solving various problems with wireless adapters. Below I will provide links to some of them, and you do not necessarily have to look and check everything on your laptop.

• (large and detailed article).
• If .

If all else fails, then it may well be that your module itself just burned out (or something else). I will tell you what to do in such a situation below. But I would also try to reinstall Windows and install the driver downloaded from the official site.

What to do if the Wi-Fi module on the laptop is broken?

If you have tried everything and nothing works, or the internal module is buggy, then you need to replace it.

Your laptop may still be under warranty. If so, take it to a service center, let them replace the module itself, or the motherboard. If there is no guarantee, then you can take the laptop to the workshop and pay for the repair.

Yes, you can disassemble a laptop, find a wireless module in it, order somewhere the same (or other manufacturer), and replace it yourself. But there are two problems:

• Not everyone understands this. And if you have already decided to do this, then remember that you do everything at your own peril and risk. You can make it even worse, and be left not only without Wi-Fi, but also without a laptop.
• As I already wrote, in most new laptops the WLAN module is soldered into the board. It just can't be replaced.

You can connect your laptop to the Internet using a network cable. The solution is not very good, but as an option - maybe.

The simplest solution is a USB Wi-Fi adapter

There are many external USB adapters on the market. I already wrote an article on how to choose them, and gave the link at the beginning of this article. Many manufacturers have compact adapters that are great for laptops. They are no larger than a wireless mouse or keyboard adapter. I have such a nano adapter - TP-Link TL-WN725N.

It protrudes from the laptop body by 0.5 centimeters.

Connected, installed the driver (in Windows 10 everything is automatic) and you can connect to the Internet.

Not only TP-Link has such compact models. You can look at some online store.

It is a quick and easy replacement for the internal Wi-Fi module. Yes, it takes up 1 USB port and sticks out a bit, but better than with a cable.

A Wifi USB adapter is a device for connecting a personal computer or other device to a wireless network.

What are Wi-Fi devices for?

When building a radio network in an office or at home, you have to use devices that do not have wireless functions. For example, computer system units, televisions, game consoles and more. Even if the device is equipped with a wireless client, it is often necessary to purchase and install a more modern Wifi USB adapter that supports faster communication formats. After all, information technologies are constantly evolving, very often it turns out that a device released 2-3 years ago is irrevocably outdated today. Every day, devices are produced more and more miniature, and functions and parameters at the same time increase. If a couple of years ago, in order to supply the Internet to two personal computers at once, it was required to install switches, stretch twisted-pair cables through the apartment, today everything is much simpler. It is enough to install a USB adapter on the PC Wifii, which is compatible with all versions of operating systems, and that's it - the network is ready. Several wireless devices can be connected to such an improvised access point. For example, communicators, laptops and other computers. To support such networks, use specialized software Virtual Wi-Fi. This software is the basis of the Windows 7 operating system. This wireless network supports high-level WPA2 PSK encryption.

Communication standards for wireless networks

When choosing a Wifi USB adapter, you must first of all pay attention to the standard that this device supports. This parameter must match your router. Since, having bought a device that is incompatible with the main equipment, you will not be able to coordinate and configure a wireless network. In this case, an important parameter is the frequency of radio signal transmission. Today, two are widely used (2.4 MHz and 5 MHz). In addition, when choosing an adapter, you must pay attention to the number of transmitting and receiving devices that the device can support.

Interfaces supported by Wi-Fi receivers

A few years ago, one could meet with various types of connectors: PCMCI, PCI, and others. However, today the USB standard has superseded all other types of interfaces. This is very convenient because, having purchased the said device, the user can use it with any personal computer. And even when replacing your PC with a new one or upgrading an old one, you can always use this adapter.

Specifications

The wireless USB Wifi adapter transmits data at 300 Mbps, and some models are capable of transmitting data at 450 Mbps. There are Wi-Fi devices with three antennas, which significantly increase wireless performance and signal stability. In the Russian market, the sales leaders are adapters manufactured by Asus, D-Link and TP-Link.

Turning a Wi-Fi USB Adapter into an Access Point

Thanks to the Wi-Fi Virtual technology, any adapter that supports this technology in the drivers can be used as a Wi-Fi signal distributor for client devices. To debug the system, the installation of drivers is not necessary; it is enough to use a personal computer with the operating system Windows 7. This software contains built-in installation utilities. And when installing the equipment, it will offer to download the latest software version. The list of adapter models that are compatible with the Virtual system can be found on the official website of the software developers. Basically, it is a graphical shell that works with the netsh snap-in through the console. This program makes the process visual and user-friendly, moreover, it is completely free and has all the necessary functionality. It is capable, in addition to the main purpose, to put the adapter into Ad-hoc mode, which allows you to create peer-to-peer networks. Almost all laptops and personal computers are capable of supporting this standard.

How to connect and set up Wifi USB adapter with Virtual Router system?

The first step is to install the necessary software on the PC (for example, Connectify), it converts the Wi-Fi receiver into an access point. After that, we connect the adapter to the USB port of the personal computer. The Windows 7 operating system independently installs drivers; for this, the PC must be connected to the Internet. After that, we launch the program. The first step is to set the name of the wireless network, which is indicated in the HotspotName field. Next, in the Password section, you need to set a password to access the created system. For strong protection, it is recommended to specify a password of eight characters or more, which uses upper and lower case letters, numbers, and special characters. In the future, it must be entered on each wireless client during the first connection. In the "Internet" field, you must select the connected personal computer with access to the World Wide Web. For example, it could be a network card. Then you should select "Local Area Connection".

Next, in the Advanced field, specify the Wi-Fi adapter. If only one device is connected to the computer, then we select by default, and if there are several, then it is necessary to specify exactly the device that will be used as an access point. This completes the setup, it remains only to turn on the device. Basically, we created a Wi-Fi router from a regular adapter and a PC. After clicking the Start Hotspot button, another NAT server appears on the network. After that, you can connect the first clients: laptop, tablet or smartphone. To do this, we search for wireless networks and "connect" to ours using the specified password. The device is then ready for use.

How much does a USB Wifi adapter cost?

The price of such a device will depend primarily on the manufacturer and on the parameters of the device. In any case, the cost of a USB Wi-Fi adapter will be affordable for almost everyone, it is 10-20 US dollars, depending on the model chosen.

Most modern laptops and other mobile devices are equipped with Wi-Fi receivers that allow you to connect to wireless networks. However, this does not always apply to stationary PCs, which are designed for a wired connection due to their characteristics. But for many users it is vitally important to connect a stationary computer to Wi-Fi - this allows you to get rid of the laying of wires during the finished repair, as well as to increase the convenience of interaction of various devices in the same network.

To do this, it is not at all necessary to purchase a PC with a built-in wireless module - just install an additional receiver. We will consider what Wi-Fi adapters for computers are, what their technical parameters may be, and which specific models should be preferred.

Any desktop computer can be upgraded for Wi-Fi

First of all, it is worth deciding which interface you will use to connect the adapter to the computer. The most popular is the portable receiver with a USB plug. In terms of size, such devices do not differ from large flash drives, so you can even carry them in your pocket or on a key ring. Adapters using the USB interface are ideal for people who often use different computers and laptops, as they are designed for frequent reconnections. However, such a receiver has a very serious drawback - models with external antennas are extremely rare, so the range of the wireless connection will be minimal.

Also, the adapter can be connected to the PCI Express slot located on the computer motherboard. In fact, such a receiver is a network card for a computer with the ability to work in a conventional wireless network. The PCI Express interface provides a better power supply to the module, so it will be easy to connect a PC to Wi-Fi even if the router is far enough away. Built-in adapters usually have internal or external high-power antennas, so the user will not have any serious problems with the connection quality.

For a laptop or a modern computer in the Net-top format, you can purchase a receiver that is installed in the PCMCIA "expansion slot" or its analogs from various manufacturers of electronic equipment. Such a Wi-Fi adapter looks like an oblong card devoid of any protrusions (like the model with a USB plug, you can carry it in your pocket). An unambiguous advantage of the PCMCIA interface is the ability to install an additional module without rebooting the computer, as well as the absence of protruding parts, unlike USB adapters. However, the problems remain the same - the built-in antenna cannot provide stable reception of information at a great distance from the router.

Technical specifications

Most people make the mistake of buying a desktop Wi-Fi receiver. They are sure that all devices, without exception, use standard parameters, so there are no significant differences between them. This is absolutely wrong, because adapters differ in signal strength, which determines the quality of reception over a sufficiently long distance. A typical figure for a modern home and medium office is 20 dBM. If it is lower, using such a device, it will be possible to connect a PC to a Wi-Fi network only in a small apartment.

The antenna gain is also important - the higher it is, the greater the reception radius of the computer. However, one should not focus on exorbitant values, since such adapters will be expensive and, moreover, will consume too much power. To connect a PC to a wireless network via a USB receiver, you should choose a model with a gain of 2 dBi, and for a built-in device with an external antenna, you need to focus on an indicator of 5 dBi.

Finally, you need to pay close attention to the wireless standards that the adapter supports. It is worth immediately abandoning devices that use connection protocols B or G - they provide data transfer at a speed not exceeding 16 Mbps. Despite the blatant obsolescence of such communication standards, many manufacturers still produce USB receivers that support them. It is worth purchasing such models only in one case - when you are looking for a cheap device that you will use very rarely.

To connect your computer to the WAN at a fast enough speed, choose an N adapter - its maximum bandwidth is up to 300 Mbps. Practice shows that this is quite enough for watching movies online, downloading large multimedia files, as well as Internet surfing and other purposes. And only if you will be using a PC to work with professional applications or for cutting-edge online games, you will need to buy an AC receiver that can transmit up to 10 gigabits per second. Searching for USB adapters that support Wi-Fi AC is almost useless - they are quite expensive and usually come in the form of plug-ins.

Remember that it is useless to purchase a receiver that does not match the Wi-Fi standard used by your router. Even if you buy the latest device that uses a high-speed data transfer protocol, a Type G router will not allow your computer to connect to the Internet at speeds over 16 Mbps. Therefore, it is worth taking a look at the characteristics of your existing wireless network before purchasing an adapter.

Top Models

External receiver

To connect your PC to a wireless network, you should choose the D-Link DWA-127 receiver. Unlike many USB-based counterparts, it features a full-size antenna that provides superior signal amplification. Thanks to this, the adapter can work at any distance from the router without dropping the data transfer rate. Of course, for a USB receiver, an external antenna is not only an advantage, but also a significant disadvantage - it will be inconvenient to carry it in your pocket. However, when connected to a stationary PC, this problem is unlikely to be relevant.

An adapter that supports the N data transfer standard is a reasonable solution, given its widespread use in modern electronics and the limited bandwidth of the USB 2.0 interface. Its body contains a WPS key, designed to connect to the router in automatic mode. Such a device would be ideal for a modern computer equipped with a sufficient number of USB ports - it provides a stable connection and does not require any effort to install.

Built-in model

The phrase "Cheap and cheerful" is the best way to describe the ASUS PCI-N10 adapter. This model costs approximately 800–1000 rubles, but its parameters are not inferior to analogues with a price 3–5 times higher. The main advantage of the device is the use of a special technology that allows it to be installed as a virtual router, to which you can connect another computer or mobile device. This scheme is often used by small businesses - to expand the range of a Wi-Fi network, not expensive routers are used, but adapters for stationary computers.

The device supports the N data transmission standard and provides a connection speed of up to 300 Mbps. The PCI Express slot has a sufficiently large bandwidth, so there will be no delays when watching multimedia content online. The user can connect the computer to a wireless network using any type of data encryption. On the back panel of the adapter there is a WPS button, designed for automated connection to the router.

For laptops

Of course, most laptops are equipped with built-in Wi-Fi communication modules and do not need to install an additional adapter, but there are exceptions. Examples of these are mobile workstations, as well as specialized mobile computers that are designed to perform a limited range of functions. The D-Link DWA-645 PCMCIA card was specially developed for them, which uses the N data transfer standard, which provides a connection speed of up to 300 Mbps. It has a relatively low cost - about 700-850 rubles, which makes it affordable for every user.

The D-Link DWA-645 user has access to a proprietary application that allows him to analyze the used Wi-Fi networks, determining the connections with the best speed. In addition, with its help, it is possible to select the optimal wireless channel, its width and other parameters for the router. RangeBooster N technology significantly increases the range of stable signal reception in comparison with similar devices. The transmitter power is 17 dBM - an excellent indicator for a compact device built into a laptop or desktop PC. The adapter can be recommended to anyone who needs a stable connection to a wireless network, but does not want to use receivers with large antennas protruding outward.

Modern options

Combo adapters are now available for users who appreciate the versatility of any device. They provide a robust wireless connection that is Wi-Fi and Bluetooth compliant, Miralink, Apple AirPlay and more. In addition, in stores, there are often adapters designed to establish a direct connection with mobile devices without the participation of a router - they are created using WiMax or Wi-Fi Direct technology. However, only users who own several mobile devices, as well as home electronics that are wirelessly controlled, can find sense in purchasing them. In other cases, it is better to give preference to the options described above, since they combine such advantages as practicality, economy and ease of installation.

WiFi receivers have already become so tightly embedded in our life that it is already difficult to imagine it without them. Almost all laptops and smartphones are equipped with such a device. With it, you can easily and easily connect to wireless networks.

Execution

By their design, WiFi receivers are of the following types:

• integrated;
• interior;
• external.

In the first case, it is made in the form of a separate microcircuit and is soldered to the motherboard. Most often, such devices in this design can be found on inexpensive motherboards, smartphones and netbooks.

The second option is internal. Not very common. This is a card that plugs into a PCI expansion slot on your motherboard.

In the latter case, such a device is made in a separate case and resembles a flash drive. Such a WiFi receiver is connected to the usual rectangular YUSB connector. The price for each of the options is different. An integrated adapter, for example, does not need to be purchased. It comes with a digital device. But comparing the internal and external, we can conclude that the latter costs much less. Prices for such devices start at 150 rubles. In turn, the cost of internal adapters starts at 400 rubles.

Moreover, their characteristics are identical. Another classification of such devices is based on the standard with which this wireless adapter can work. In this case, they are subdivided as follows:

• 802.11а - data transfer rate 54 Mbps, operating frequency 5 GHz.
• 802.11b - in this case, the data transfer rate is up to 11 Mbps with the same frequency, but the range of this wireless network increases to 150 meters in open areas.
• 802.11g - this standard appeared 4 years after the first two in 2003. Its speed is the same as that of "a", and the radius of action is twice that of "b". It is backward compatible with the previous two standards.
• 802.11n is the logical evolution of g. He has both the data transfer speed increased (up to 600 Mbit / s), and the range increased (up to 600 meters).
• The latest standard, 802.11ac, is not yet widely adopted. Its main difference from "n" is the increased data transfer rate, which in this case can reach a phenomenal 10 Gbps.

Connection

For an integrated Wi-Fi adapter, this step is skipped. The internal receiver plugs into the motherboard expansion slot. To connect it, you need to remove it from the system unit, install it into the white PCI slot. There may be several of them. It is better for these purposes to use the one with the serial number "1" (if it is free). Next, the Wi-Fi adapter board must be fixed with a bolt that is screwed to the case. At the next stage, the computer is assembled and returned to its original state. All the described manipulations need to be done only with the equipment turned on. If you need to connect external WiFi receivers, it is not necessary to turn off your computer or laptop. It is enough to find the required rectangular connector and install the adapter into it. For stationary PCs, it is recommended to use those YUSB sockets that are brought out to the back side and soldered into the motherboard.

Setting up

The next step is software for a PC or laptop. First you need to install the drivers. When a new device is connected, it searches for the software required for its normal operation. At the end of this operation, a message should appear stating that the equipment is installed and ready for use. But if the required software is not found, then a message will appear stating that the operating system did not find it. In this case, you need to manually install it. Each adapter comes with a CD. It has the required driver without fail. If the disc is lost, then the necessary information can be downloaded from the manufacturer's official website. Then we launch the installation version of this software and, following the instructions of the wizard, install it on our local computer or laptop. After that, a gray ladder should appear in the lower right corner of the monitor. We make a click on it with the left mouse button. In the list that opens, we find the wireless network we need and connect to it. If necessary, enter the password to gain access.

Test

At the final stage, you need to check the performance of the established WiFi connection. The PC receiver is already properly configured as well. To check, you need to launch any browser that is on your computer (for example, "Microsoft Explorer" or "Opera"). Then we enter the mail.ru address in its address bar and press "Enter". After that, this portal should open. Another nuance that you need to pay attention to during the setup process: the operating mode of the router and Wi-Fi transmitter must be the same. For example, if one of them has "b" and the other has "n", it will be impossible. Although wireless networks will be present in the list of available connections.

Conclusion

Within the framework of this material, various modifications of devices such as WiFi receivers were described. The order of their connection, configuration and testing is also indicated. All this will allow any user to easily configure such equipment, regardless of their level of training and knowledge. So feel free to take it and do it. There shouldn't be any problems.