Although a wireless adaptor came with my computer the software to allow me to wireless is missing.

Onboard adaptor hardware failure? Or is it missing Drivers?
Wireless adaptor - did you install drivers for adaptor? Did you check that WiFi on the adaptor is switched on?


On a side note: I've found that USB 2.0 Wireless N adaptors are the best for connectivity, as they have their drivers on the adaptor, are fully plug and play (Vista/7/8 and even some models on XP). I recommend Transcend (brand name).

Observe the condition to ascertain condition. For example, connect the keyboard to computer to ascertain response. usually with peripheral devices, connections to computer should display results of compartibility else mesages is malfunction missing media recogniseable. In the situation that the keyboard is malfunctioning as missing media is indicationof incompartible to computer. For example, wireless keyboards require adaptors devices attached to computer to function where the computer has to be wireless compartible. In the situation where a cables wired keyboard were attached to wireless computer would be missing the adaptor. Where a wireless keyboard were attached to a computer that least wireless with an adaptors would least produce any results. Circumpectively, the computer with wireless capabilities requires a wireless adaptor that recognies a wireless built keyboard.

A network adaptor is an interface device that allows your PC to communicate with other computers and the internet. There are wireless and wired adaptors.

Wireless adaptors usually connect your PC to the network through a wireless router and modem. Wired adaptors (also known as ethernet adaptors) connect your PC to another computer, a router or a modem using a cable.

Regards,

Yavacotech

Right click on top of my computer and select manage.
Drill down to device manager and see if you see any yellow or red icons next to your wireless adaptor. if there is a yellow or red icon there you have not loaded the driver for your wireless card. Your dell should have come with a driver cd, if not available go to DELL.COM and select support and drivers. using your computer model or your service tag number will allow you to search for your missing drivers. If you havent done so already make sure that you load your chipset drivers first.

I allowed Windows Update to search for the right driver. This took a long time - I'd tried earlier but evidently hadn't let it run for long enough. It located and loaded a driver and everything was then fine: the ethernet connection (via adaptor) 'went live', my new broadband set-up software recognised it and proceeded sussessfully from there.

I assume that the device manager on my PC was correctly identifying corrupt drivers on the small CD supplied with the adaptor and that I'd managed to find uncorrupted ones on the internet via Windows Update.

Robin Lovelock

You need the drivers. An oversimlified analogy of what a driver is - drivers are what the computer uses to translate the language the devices speaks into a language the computer can understand. It allows the two to talk to each other.
You should be able to download the drivers for this device at http://support.2wire.com/index.php?page=download
The manufacturer for any device that you connect to your computer should have the drivers necessary to install it on their website. If the device you are trying to install is a network device (wireless or wired) and you are unable to access the internet, the best suggestion I have is to borrow a friends computer and a USB key/drive or have them burn a CD with the drivers on it for you.

The Gateway m305 has 3 WiFi hardware options, 2 Broadcom and 1 ActionTec. I have found at times that the wireless adaptor will have its own control and configure software running and it will not allow windows to manage it. If this is so you can manage the connection with the manufactures software or find the option in network connections in the properties of the wireless adaptor to allow windows to manage it. Either way should allow you to connect but I prefer to use windows management. I hope this is of some help. Good Luck

Not sure I understand you what you mean. Let me recap:
1) Your LAN adaptor was working before you reloaded Windows XP Pro.
2) Now it’s not showing up in “Device Manager”.
If this is the case, there must be some software driver missing. Make sure there are no other devices that have an error. Double check Dell’s website at www.support.dell.com and select "I'm looking for drivers and downloads". If you don't have the proper version of Adobe you will be prompted to install it. Once installed return to "drivers and downloads" and enter the "service tag", (serial number) of the laptop. Dell keeps a listing of drivers for every customer's computer they sell.



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Thank You.

The modern laptop and Wii will be no problem. Windows 98 will work but it can be much trickier to set up.

Parts needed
1 x Wireless Router - You can pick up a 2WIRE Router from around £20 on eBay
3 x Wireless LAN Network Adaptors - Around £20 each.

Firstly, the Router. This bit connects to your telephone line and broadcasts your broadband signal by radio and allows several computers to use one service. When you buy a router make sure it includes installation software. You can install routers without, but it's a whole lot easier if you have it.

Next you need to be able to receive the broadband radio signal on your computers and Wii.To receive the signal you need Wireless LAN Network Adaptors on each device. Network Adaptors also have software, which allows you to install the drivers needed.

Your laptop may already have a wireless adaptor built in.
You can check this by clicking
Start\Programs\Accessories\System Tools\Communications\Network Connections
Then see if a Wireless adaptor is present. If it isn't, you can install one inside the laptop by buying a laptop wireless network card. Easier, is to buy a USB Wireless LAN Network Adaptor which just plugs in to a USB socket on the laptop.

Look for LAN Network adaptors that are suitable for the Wii and a separate one suitable for Windows 98. Most will be ok for the laptop.

Install the router first. just do what the software tells you, then install the LAN adaptor drivers on each device you want networked.

Finally, make sure you secure your router signal. That stops the guy next door using your network and offers some security from hackers. Your router will include a firewall and you can set up a key code that your adaptors will need before they can connect. Unless the guy next door has the key, he won't be able to use
your network and play your MP3s...hoorah!
Follow the instructions given in the software to set up a WPA or WEP security key.

Great fun, you'll love it if you can get it all going.

Are you sure the adapter is VISTA compliant? Some are, some are not. BPCS