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Each device on a wireless network needs a wireless adapter. Some of your devices — such as laptops — may already have built-in Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) capabilities. If a device does not have built-in Wi-Fi capabilities, you can install an internal Wi-Fi card.
Follow these steps to install an internal Wi-Fi card in your network device:
1. Follow the manufacturer's instructions to install the Wi-Fi card software.
 | Make sure that you follow any special installation instructions provided by the Wi-Fi card's manufacturer. Most cards require you to install the supporting software before physically installing the card in your computer. |
2. Leave the Wi-Fi card's installation CD-ROM in the CD-ROM drive and shut down your computer.
3. Disconnect all cables and move the case to a safe, clean working area.
4. Open the case of your computer as described in the manufacturer's documentation.
5. Locate an open PCI slot (see Figure 1).
Figure 1: Four empty PCI slots.
6. Use a screwdriver to remove the blank-off plate on the back of the computer case next to the open PCI slot you plan to use.
7. Carefully insert the network card into the PCI slot.
8. Secure the card in the case, as shown in Figure 2.
Figure 2: Secure the card in the case.
9. Reconnect all cables and restart your computer.
10. Log in to Windows.
11. In the resulting Found New Hardware Wizard, choose whether or not you want Windows Update to search for installation software for the card and then click Next.
| If the card's installation CD isn't still in the CD-ROM drive, insert it at this time. If you have the card's installation CD, choose No, not This Time in the Found New Hardware Wizard. |
12. In the next screen, choose the Install the Software Automatically option and then click Next to install the driver. (If you see a warning that the hardware hasn't passed Windows Logo testing, click Continue Anyway.)
13. Click Finish to close the Found New Hardware Wizard.
 | Computer hardware is very fragile. If you don't have experience installing expansion cards in computers or making other hardware upgrades, consider hiring a professional to install your Wi-Fi card. Computer retailers can install cards and other hardware you buy for a nominal fee. |
After installing a new wireless networking card, visit the manufacturer's Web site (it should be listed in the card's documentation) and check its support pages for any updates for your card. It's possible that the card you bought sat on a store shelf for a couple of months, and during that time the manufacturer may have developed some important updates.
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