Wireless network connection for home or small office networks: Before connecting your WiFi device to the wireless network, you should know the settings of your wifi router or the hotspot.
Things you need to know before connecting your devices to the WiFi:
The first and important thing is the name of your Wireless network which is also called as SSID. While searching for WiFi on your computer or other device, you may find more than one SSID and one of them might be your.
The second thing is security key or password. If your WiFi is secured then you should know the security key or the password. If your router is using WEP security then make sure that you have the 10/26 digit hexadecimal key. If your router is using WPA/WPA2 security then your password can be 8 to 63 characters long. WEP is no more a stronger security.
What if you don’t know the settings of your wireless network connection ?
Simple, open the setup page of your WiFi router and check the settings. Connect the computer to the router with the Ethernet cable. Each router has an IP address. Open the setup page of the router and check the WiFi settings.
If your router is using MAC address filter then add the MAC address of your computer or device which you are trying to connect. I will suggest you to disable MAC address filter, it is no longer secured and it will be wastage of your time.
Also make sure that SSID broadcast and DHCP server are enabled on your router.
Read how to check router settings.
Steps to connect to the wireless:
Step 1: Search for your SSID.
On all the computers and gaming devices there is an option to search for WiFI. Locate your own WiFi SSID. Some people will see more than one SSID because there must another WiFi router in that area which is broadcasting it’s own WiFi. This is why, it is recommended that you should change the SSID of your router from it’s default name to something unique which you can remember as your own SSID. What if you don’t see your own SSID? Make sure that SSID broadcast on your router is enabled. Try changing wireless channel.
Step 2: Try to connect to the Wireless.
Select your own SSID and then click on connect. If your WiFi is secured then it will ask you to enter the security password/key. Enter the correct password and get connected. Remember the Security password is case sensitive.
Step 3: Get online. If you enter the correct security password then your computer or device will be able to access Internet without any problem.
How to connect to the wireless network on Windows XP computer?
In the bottom right hand side, in the system tray, you will find wireless network connection icon which looks like a computer screen. If you right click on it , you will find option to view available WiFi networks. Select your SSID and click connect. It will ask you for the security key/password. Enter the correct password and get connected.
Different error messages on Windows XP:
Windows can not configure this wireless…
No wireless networks are found in the range…
Waiting for network to be ready…
Limited or no connectivity…
Network may no longer be in the range…
Read more about Windows XP wireless connection
How to connect to the wireless on Windows Vista, 7 computers?
Like Windows XP, you will find icon for wireless network connection in the bottom right hand corner. Right click on this icon and click on Connect to a network. You will find your own SSID. Select your WiFi and try to join. It will ask you for the security password, enter the password and get connected.
Error messages on Windows Vista and 7:
Settings saved on this computer do not match…
Press the configuration button on your access point…
Windows can not connect to the network…
Enter the PIN number…
Additional log on information is required…
Read more about Windows vist/7 wi-fi connection
How to connect to the wireless on MAC?
I think connecting to a WiFi is very simple on a MAC computer.
You will find Airport icon in the top right corner which looks like WiFi signal. If you click on it, you will list of available WiFi connections.
Select your SSID and try to join. Enter the correct security key and you are done. It is very simple.
Common error on MAC:
Error joining airport: If you are using WEP security type on the router then you will need to add $ sign to your security key. Lets consider, the WEP key is 1234567890. While joining Airport, enter the WEP key along with $ sign like $1234567890 . Or you can change the security mode to WPA on the router.
Use Fix Home Network’s FREE Easy setup Guide and get all your computers and devices connected to the wireless in just few minutes.
Wireless network connection on other devices like iPad, kindle, gaming devices is the same process. Search for the network, enter the password and get connected.