PC Pals Forum

Technical Help & Discussion => Broadband, Networking, PC Security, Internet & ISPs => Topic started by: mkacala45 on December 09, 2004, 04:11

Title: Wirless Card? Newbie!!!!
Post by: mkacala45 on December 09, 2004, 04:11
I need to get a wireless card for my PC for college.  Can I buy any wireless card and have it work with the schools signals?  What am I looking for?  Any specific ones to look for?

Thanx- Mkacala45 (NEwbie)
Title: Re:Wirless Card? Newbie!!!!
Post by: Sandra on December 09, 2004, 12:28
Hi Mkacala45 and :welcome:

As far as I know any Wi Fi card should work but after looking a this :

Wireless Transmission Standards
Currently, four specifications make up the 802.11 series: 802.11, 802.11a, 802.11b, and 802.11g. The Microsoft products that conform to the 802.11g specification are sometimes said to use Wireless-G technology, and the Microsoft products that conform to the 802.11b specification are said to use Wireless-B.

The main features that distinguish these specifications are connection speed and radio frequency. The following table summarizes the four specifications in the 802.11 series. Specification Connection Speed Radio Frequency
802.11 1 or 2 Mbps 2.4 GHz
802.11a Up to 54 Mbps 5 GHz
802.11b 5.5 and 11 Mbps 2.4 GHz
802.11g Up to 54 Mbps 2.4 GHz

I would be tempted to ask the college which frequency they use as the 802.11a works on a frequency of 5 Ghz not 2.4 Ghz like all the other standard ones use  :(
Title: Re:Wirless Card? Newbie!!!!
Post by: Clive on December 09, 2004, 16:08
Mrs Clive uses a wireless laptop and seems to be able to hook it up to any network within range.