What do I need to have wireless internet on a Dell Inspiron 1525 laptop?

Question

I have no idea what the difference between a modem and a router is. Also, does a dell inspiron 1525 have one of those cards inside them? Oh! And what is DSL? If you can help me I would appreciate it.

Answer 1

A new Dell Inspirion 1525 usually does have a wireless NIC card built into them 802.11's are what they're called.

A wireless router is needed to access the internet. It's like a hot-spot for your home. A modem is for the internet you receive over the telephone line.

DSL is Digital Subscriber Line. It's also over the telephone line but uses a different frequency than your phone. That's why you can talk on the phone while on the internet. A modem doesn't allow that.

But I'll just advise you to talk to a Dell sells rep. They can answer most of your questions concerning their laptops and routers.

Answer 2

1.  You should have the low end wireless card in your 1525 unless you ordered better one.

2. A MODEM is short for MOdulater/DEModualter, it is interface between your computer and whatever type of device you use to get to theinternet.

3.  A router connects to the MODEM and routs all your cmputers to the MODEM, hence internet.

4.  DSL, IIRC, stands for Digital ( or Dedicated) Subscriber Line, used by phone companies.  Faster than dial up but uses existing telephone line.

When I got my 1525 I went to library and turne on my wireless card and made sure it worked, it did.  To turn on yours make sure switch on right corner side front of your  laptop is on and that the wireless card is turned on in the Windows Mobility Center.  The switch on the side also controls Blue tooth if you have it.

Answer 3

Internet from your provider to you: thru a modem.

Internet to multiple computers with one isp connection: thru a router.

Sometimes you can get a modem/router: one piece of equipment.  It's more common to have a modem and a router.  The modem hooks up to the internet connection from your isp, and serves the connection to you.  If you hook the router up to the modem, then this single internet connection can be used by multiple computers.

A wireless router has some ports for ethernet connections, and can also create a wireless network. This is what you want.  You name your network and secure it with a key or passphrase.

Your 1525 has a wireless adapter (switch on the right side) as well as an ethernet adapter, so you can access either wired or wirelessly.

DSL is a broadband connection thru your phone line.  If you are getting dsl, you may be able to get a modem/router combination device.

Answer 4

A modem turns the providers signal into internet for your computer, the modem takes this signal and spreads it all over your house could be wireless or non wireless, if you only have one computer the you can just plug the modem straight into the computer. Yes, that computer has an included wireless network card, which allows it to receive the signal coming from a wireless router, or you can get the ethernet cable from the modem or router and plug it straight to the computer. Not sure what DSL exactly stands for but i know is faster than dial up and not as fast as cable internet.

Answer 5

Okay.  First you must have internet already.  The Modem provides a type of internet.  An Internet subscription costs a certain amount of money each month.

Second, you have to go to a store to get a router  A router is the thing that makes the internet wireless.  And don't worry if you already have a PC that isn't wireless.  The router should come with a cord that will connect it to the internet.

I recommend a Linksys router.  Both a freind and I have one and they both work great.  It also comes with a setup disc that tells you what you need to do step by step with animation as well as text.  It's very simple to install.  If you have a PC you unplug the Ethernet cord (it's the one that looks like the cord you plug into the phone only wider) from the computer, and plug it into the router.  Then, with the cord they provide you plug one end into the number 1 port of the router, and then the other end into the PC Tower (the one you put discs into).  If you get one from Best Buy, like I did, they have the Geek Squad that can help you if anything goes wrong.  

Another way is that you buy a wireless internet cord from mostly any cell phone company.  You've probably seen those commercials for those.  You can get to the internet from almost anywhere whereas if you get a router you'll have to be within a certain distance from the router.

Hope this helps!