The fact that wireless Internet access technologies or virtual networking is now more popular than ever is probably not worth saying. True, the benefits that they provide to everyone, for the most part, are mainly used only by owners of mobile equipment and laptops, which initially provided for the presence of appropriate Wi-Fi wireless modules. But why are desktop computers worse, in which such equipment, as a rule, is not initially installed? And connecting a stationary terminal to a wireless network or router can be done, and quite simply.
How useful is a wireless connection on a desktop PC?
And it is worth starting the consideration of the main topic with why stationary terminals are not initially equipped with wireless communication modules. After all, many of them surpass both laptops and mobile devices in their basic characteristics. As is commonly believed, a desktop computer with its configuration was originally designed to solve more complex tasks related to using offline applications or accessing the Internet, but with a highercall quality.
This, as well as preventing possible signal loss, for example, due to increased load on the router, can only be achieved with a wired connection, not to mention the speed of Internet access. Thus, using a wireless connection on a desktop PC is more of a purely aesthetic consideration (especially since you can’t move to another place with a computer, as you can with a laptop, tablet or phone).
However, as they say, tastes differ. Therefore, let's still see how to connect a stationary computer to Wi-Fi. There is nothing particularly complicated about this, and the actions performed are absolutely no different from setting up a similar connection on the same laptop. The main condition is the availability of appropriate equipment in the form of a wireless adapter.
Note! You can, of course, connect the router to a desktop computer directly. But what's the point? After all, the main idea is lost in this way.
Choosing a Wi-Fi adapter
So, to perform further actions, you need to install a wireless adapter. But which one?
Today you can find two types of modules: installed directly on the motherboard (with an external antenna) and USB devices. Which type to use, there is not much difference. The USB adapter looks somewhat more aesthetically pleasing, and the internal type module is not visible, since it is usually located on the back wall of the computer unit. In this case, the main condition will be the correct installation of drivers and the possibility of theirtimely update.
How to connect a desktop computer to a WiFi router: logging into the router's web interface
So, let's assume that the drivers are installed, the adapter is connected and ready to go. At this stage, you need to create and configure a wireless connection. How to connect the router to a desktop computer to make the necessary settings? Thanks to the adapter, this is not a problem.
To enter the web interface of the router, use any browser installed in the system, enter the combination 192.168.1.1 (or 0.1 at the end) in the address bar and enter the login with a password. Usually they are the same - admin. The address of the router, as well as the login with a password, can be found on a special nameplate or in the device's passport.
Setting basic settings on the router
Now, in order to connect a desktop computer to Wi-Fi, some important parameters must be set on the router. To do this, you will need to enter the WAN section.
Most ISPs today provide dynamic addresses to user machines. If this is the case, you just need to select the appropriate type from the drop-down list. In this case, the remaining parameters will be set automatically.
Don't forget the only thing you need to do is turn on the distribution of the signal. In the case of a static IP, the required parameter values \u200b\u200band addresses will have to be writtenmanually. Their provider provides at the conclusion of the contract. When the router configuration is completed, the changes are saved, after which you will need to configure the connection already on the computer.
Setting up Wi-Fi for a desktop computer: creating a connection
In principle, establishing a connection on a stationary PC is no different from similar actions on the same laptops. The first step is to enter the "Control Panel" and use the network and sharing management section, in which you select the creation of a new connection. You will then be prompted to select a setting. We proceed from the fact that at the moment you need to install Internet access on a stationary computer.
Select the appropriate item and follow the instructions of the "Wizard". Upon completion, in principle, you can use the connection immediately. How to connect a desktop computer to Wi-Fi? Elementary! To do this, click on the wireless connection icon to call up a list of available networks, select the one you need and connect (remember that the access password has not yet been set).
Basic parameters of the IPv4 protocol
However, despite the simplicity of the steps taken, it is sometimes advisable to check some additional connection parameters that relate to the IPv4 protocol. A desktop computer or a laptop is used, in this case it does not play any role. These are already system settings.
Using the properties of the created connection, you must enter the IPv4 settings andcheck how addresses are received (automatic or manual).
For a wireless connection, only automatic mode must be set, otherwise the connection simply will not work. The maximum that can be changed is only the addresses of the main and alternative DNS servers, using as values, say, free combinations from Google based on combinations of eights and fours (and then only for those cases when the connection does not work for some reason). Also, if such settings are not provided by the provider, be sure to make sure that the use of proxies is disabled for local addresses.
Setting network security
Now you need to take care of the security of your connection.
You can set the necessary options in the properties of the created network connection on the security tab, where you select the preferred type of security and encryption from the list (usually WPA2-Personal and AES), and also enter the desired connection access password.
VPN features
Finally, a few words should be said about the use of virtual private network technologies. They are of interest to us in relation to a stationary computer, laptop or mobile gadget solely in terms of providing reliable protection through tunneling technologies and the ability to change your real external IP address to gain access to blocked Internet resources or hide tracesown activities on the World Wide Web.
In browsers, you can use various extensions (add-ons and add-ons) in the form of appropriate VPN clients and services for this. Things are much better with the Opera browser, which has such a client preinstalled. You can also use the Tor Browser, which is originally a VPN app on its own. For the entire system as a whole, you can install external address change programs like SafeIP.
How to create a distributing VPN server on a stationary PC?
However, a desktop computer can be turned into a distributing VPN server, for example, in order to increase the signal of a router or to increase the number of simultaneously connected devices.
To do this, when creating a new connection, you select a connection to your workplace, specify your own VPN connection, and then enter the address of the corresponding resource on the Internet (you can get it from your ISP or mobile operator if you connect through its modem), and then logins and access passwords are set.
What should I do if the connection is not working?
Wireless connections sorted out. Now let's see what can be done if the created connection does not work. First of all, immediately check the wireless module driver on the computer, as well as its status, which should be active in the Device Manager. If the module is not active, use its activation through the RMB menu. Againmake sure that obtaining addresses in the IPv4 properties is set to automatic. If necessary, change the DNS addresses and make sure that the router settings match the type of address you are using (dynamic or static). If all else fails, delete the connection and re-create it.
Of course, it would be nice to check your computer for viruses (so, just in case, because some threats can just block access to the Internet). For these purposes, it is better to use scanning with portable, rather than regular antiviruses. The best option is to boot from a disk or flash drive with the Kaspersky Rescue Disk utility and perform a scan with subsequent virus neutralization before Windows starts.
Instead of afterword
In general, if we draw a line under all of the above, we can only note that it makes sense to use a wireless connection on a desktop computer only if it will act as a distributing VPN server. In all other situations, there is no particular point in creating such a connection (well, you won’t walk around the apartment with a system unit and a monitor under your arm).
As for the settings of the router and network connections directly on the computer, there should not be any particular difficulties, since all the basic procedures are standard and do not depend on the type of devices used. Another thing is the installation of the wireless communication module and its drivers. It is better to purchase models from well-known manufacturers for which timely updating of the control software will notproblem.
If there are problems with the created connection due to its inoperability or the inability to provide Internet access, then give priority to setting the correct parameters in the system and on the router, since in most cases failures are associated with them.
