-- Posted by Falling Star at 4:33 am on Nov. 7, 2008 This may seem like a stupid question... But who cares: If I buy a wireless router, would I need to buy anything else for my computer to be able to go online? (A reciever or something like that) Because I don't wanna buy one, get home, set it up and find out I need to go back out and buy something else. Gonna be used with a computer with vista if that helps. -- Posted by hi sarah at 4:34 am on Nov. 7, 2008 if you have a laptop get built in wireless thing -- Posted by 420trendz at 4:34 am on Nov. 7, 2008 A wireless router is something you'd want if you had a laptop that has wireless internet. If you only have a desktop, it wouldn't be of use to you. -- Posted by Falling Star at 4:35 am on Nov. 7, 2008 Nah, it's a desktop. Not sure if it's got anything built in, it's a dell inspiron 530 -- Posted by Falling Star at 4:36 am on Nov. 7, 2008 Quote: from Trendsetta at 4:34 am on Nov. 7, 2008 A wireless router is something you'd want if you had a laptop that has wireless internet. If you only have a desktop, it wouldn't be of use to you. It's easier than going through the hastle of figuring out how to continue using my current modem through Vista since I can't as it is atm. And the computer I'm currently on is still going to be online. -- Posted by Chevy Jackson at 4:37 am on Nov. 7, 2008 are you using a laptop? if yes, is the laptop newer than two years? if yes, then your computer will connect to your wireless network, assuming it is set up correctly. if no, then you may need to check if you have a wireless card installed. if you are using a desktop, you may need to check if it has a wireless adapter. Look on the back to see if there is a short antenna sticking out. Typically, these antennas are about three or four inches long, and made of rubber or plastic, and not metal. if there is not an antenna, then you almost certainly do not have a wireless card, in which case you would either need to buy one and have it installed, or simply skip the router and plug your computer in with an ethernet cable attached to your internet modem. -- Posted by marshmellowman at 4:38 am on Nov. 7, 2008 Quote: from Trendsetta at 12:34 pm on Nov. 7, 2008 A wireless router is something you'd want if you had a laptop that has wireless internet. If you only have a desktop, it wouldn't be of use to you. Not true, you can easily get USB WiFi adapters for desktops, as well as WiFi PCI cards, you just need to look around, they're pretty inexpensive. So yes, you will need a dongle or receiver of some sort in your desktop, because it most likely didn't come with one. Whatever model you get, it's always a good idea to use the same manufacturer as the router, to ensure compatibility. So if you are buying a Linksys Wireless router, get a Linksys wireless USB adapter for the desktop. -- Posted by Falling Star at 4:58 am on Nov. 7, 2008 Is there anything I can buy that would just plug into my USB or something? -- Posted by marshmellowman at 5:08 am on Nov. 7, 2008 Quote: from Falling Star at 12:58 pm on Nov. 7, 2008 Is there anything I can buy that would just plug into my USB or something? Yes, a USB wireless adapter, such as this one made by D-Link. Just shop around on Amazon or at your local electronics shop like Best Buy or something. -- Posted by atomictastic at 6:22 am on Nov. 7, 2008 Linksys is the best wireless adapter.