US Advanced Technology

Whenever a new piece of technology comes onto the market there are also those people who want to get hold of it right away. I am not particularly one of those people but my wife is, so by default I guess I have to be as well.

Because of this I have been getting slowly dragged into the present day since I met her. Now my rather embarrassing collection of old gadgets is starting to dwindle as they get replaced by cooler and more modern equivalents. A good example is when she showed me what a good home security system should be all about. It certainly wasn’t what I had in mind, that’s for sure.

When we moved to a new house one of the first things we had to do was fit a security alarm to it. I had a horrible image in my head of wires all over the place and bells clanging away every time the cat decided to take a wander around the garden. Fortunately, the smartest person in my house told me that wireless alarm technology was going to make my life a whole lot easier than I feared. These are the benefits which make this such a good move.

Easy to Fit

We can’t all be DIY experts and fortunately these days we don’t have to be either. Fitting a wireless alarm doesn’t involve drilling holes through walls and messing about with cables. Even if you aren’t too confident with a set of tools you can still do this pretty easily.

Flexible

The first hint I got that my wife was already looking for a new house for us was when she said that we could take the alarm system with us. Even if we  end up going somewhere a lot bigger than the current property there won’t be any issues with increasing the size of the system; so that’s one more reason to start thinking about getting a mansion now.

Low Cost

To be honest, one of the first things I thought when I heard about a wireless alarm system was, “How much is that little beauty going to cost us?” It turns out that I didn’t have to worry about it at all, as they are a lot less expensive that I had thought. This is because of the DIY aspect to getting them fitted and also because they don’t need the same level of professional monitoring while they are working.

Good Looking

I can honestly say that most of the things I have done in any of my houses or fitted to them are a little bit unsightly. The good news about this kind of system is that even I couldn’t make it ugly. A smart box and no wires means that it fits in rather snugly and doesn’t attract attention to itself; it does just enough to let potential thieves know that the owner of the property is one smart cookie. Of course, they don’t need to know which one of us is the smart cookie, do they?

Step Away From The Computer Before You Have A Mental Meltdown

Do I Read A Technical Manual Tonight, or The Lord Of The Rings?
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Just out of courtesy, I think I should tell you that the following article is about as far from my typical writings as I can get. Quite frankly, it is nothing more than a very tired technology guy ranting and raving. Maybe a little wining too.

My entire world is about technology; computers, data communication, wireless and wired Ethernet, PDA’s, mobile devices, firewalls, security assessments, and on and on and on. I’m so addicted to technology and business that I have trouble deciding whether to read a technical manual or a good sci-fi / fantasy novel.

I love what I do and have no plans on making any changes in the foreseeable future but something as simple as checking the time of day nearly resulted in a mental nuclear meltdown this morning. This week has been considerably stressing. I have written at least eight significant proposals, performed continuous work on a report for a external security assessment, made and received way to many phone calls, and have been staying up to all hours of the night, or morning depending on how you look at it (It’s 2am on Saturday right now).

My Kingdom For The Right Time On All My Clocks!
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This morning, I literally became overwhelmed when I looked at the time on my desktop computer. Between all the laptops, digital and analog clocks, stereos, televisions, cable box, DVD players, and other electronic devices in my home, there are 28 devices that display the time of day. And guess what, there was about a 5 minute delta in the current time between this vast amount of time pieces. It sounds quite ridiculous but I nearly freaked out. With all the technology at our disposal, you would think it would be easy to synchronize all the time pieces in my home. And keep them synchronized!

Ok, this article is not really about clocks but it was “time” that set me off this morning. The fact is, like many others, time is something that I just don’t have much of. I believe Mr. Einstein would take a relatively strong position on this issue of mine. On top of the time issue, how much technology, or should I say , how much continuous exposure to technology can the human brain take before it just explodes. My family, friends, and associates routinely ask me “How in the world can you remember all these things about computers?” Sometimes I wonder this myself.

I don’t know about you, but sometimes I wish I could just completely isolate myself from everything electronic; spinning fans, clicking hard drives, bussing monitors (even these darn flat panels), the clicking of the keys when I type, and lets not forget the inevitable beeping of my UPS’s several times a day because Florida Power and Light can’t seem to regulate the flow of electricity in a stable fashion.

It’s Vacation Time: Technology Prohibited At All Times
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I’ve been in the technology business all of my life. Do you know it took about 5 years of my wife complaining about me bringing laptops and other technology gadgets with me on vacations before I finally wised up. And guess what, the first time I left technology behind on one of our summer vacations, it was like someone had lifted a tremendous weight off my shoulders. It was so unbelievable that when my wife asked me where the laptop was it took her the entire day to believe me when I said I left it at home.

I know I’m not the only person that has these little “moments”. My New Years resolution this year was to simplify my life. I’m not embarrassed to say that I’ve not made much progress yet but I am not going to give up. I am going to bring harmony to my life if it kills me in the process.

Conclusion
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I won’t blame anyone who reads this article and feels compelled to send me a bill. After reviewing what I’ve written here it reads like notes taken during a psychotherapy session:. I’ve decided that I’m taking the day off from technology, right after I’m done posting this article. And now, I’m tired and going to get some sleep.

You may reprint or publish this article free of charge as long as the bylines are included.

Original URL (The Web version of the article)
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http://www.defendingthenet.com/NewsLetters/StepAwayFromTheComputerBeforeYouHaveAMentalMeltdown.htm

What are Single Board Computers

When most people think of computers, the image of a PC or laptop comes to mind. Some may even recall the football field size computers of the 1960’s and 70’s before the emergence of the PC. Very few people would picture single board computers , even if there was one sitting right in front of them! A single board computer is the terminology used for a printed circuit board that contains a processor, memory, I/O (input/output) and a clock. Single board computers (aka SBC’s) resemble the motherboard contained in a typical PC, but include all the elements of a basic computer within it’s small design. Since the early 1980’s, the technology behind this type of computers has been used in industrial manufacturing and computerized product design to apply basic processing functions for high-tech product features.

Usage of Single Board Computers

Also commonly referred to as embedded computers, single board computers are used in products from airplanes and rocket ships, to toys and high performance athletic shoes. Almost everyone uses single board computers without being aware of their existence. Most products that utilize computer technology (such as fax machines, cameras, cell phones, etc) contain embedded single board computers. While these tiny computers can host a full size operating system such as Windows XP, most SBC’s have internal operating systems that take up much less space. Simpler operating systems equal a lower cost per computer. Software for single board computers is generally contained on a flash memory system or ROM chip. Quality indictors for single board systems include processor performance, I/O compatibility, SSD storage and wireless capabilities.

Pros and Cons of Single Board Computers

There are both advantages and disadvantages to using SBC’s for industrial and product enhancement. Deciding whether or not to implement single board computer technology is largely a matter of application necessity and cost. Some of the deciding factors on using them include:

+ Pro : Current technologies have increased the capability of the single board computer, while reducing its size and cost.

+ Pro : Wireless technology has made it possible for easy internet access via SBC.

+ Pro : The competitive market has greatly expanding the options and functionalities available for SBC’s.

+ Pro : Advanced computer technology offers reliability for industrial manufacturers and quality products for vendors using SBC’s.

- Con : Incorporation can be costly for high volume products and applications.

- Con : Some applications require customized sizes or I/O functions that are not compatible with standard SBC’s.

Single Board Computer Technologies

While all SBC’s are built using similar standards, different technologies can be included with individual SBC’s. Video capability, Ethernet access functionality and digital computer technologies are just some of the features that can be incorporated into a single board computer. In general, SBC’s can be as simple or as complex as an application demands. Additionally, supplemental hardware such as backplanes and mezzanine structures can significantly increase the functionality of a single board computer.

In addition to the common methods of spreading through email attachments, boot infections and program infectors, there are other ways by which viruses spread to your computer. These include:

Infection by Disk(Floppy, Zip, CD’s, Tapes, etc.)

Floppy disks, though not as commonly used as in the past, are still a very common way viruses being spread from machine to machine. Anyone with an infected machine, using a floppy disk to copy and save files, can also copy and transfer the virus. Any use of that same removable disk, by any user, at any time in the future, will most likely contaminate, or re-contaminate the any computer it is used with. The only way to properly clean an infected floppy disk is to perform a low-level format. The normal Windows(tm) “format disk” is often not enough.

With CD’s, all the above holds true with the exception that an infected CD can never be cleaned. To get rid of an infected CD, you need to put it in the trash and never use it again.

Infection from Networks

Peer-to-Peer network, Local Area Networks (LAN), a Wide Area Network (WAN), Wireless Networks, and the Internet, are all computer networks. They all have the same basic purpose; to share software, and information resources between two or more computers. As with anything else that is shared between computers, networks let users share files, and wherever files are shared, viruses can be shared and spread.

Most network virus/worm/Trojan activity is like what we described earlier, although more and more examples of automatic mass mailing attacks, system resource attacks are being found.

Recently many attacks are designed to specifically target major corporate interests (Microsoft, eBay, Amazon, major Banks etc.) in an attempt to disrupt their online services. Very generally these are called DOS (denial of service) attacks. The way they most commonly work is by secretly infecting thousands of local user computers (like the one you are using right now), and then at a specific time, launching a combined attack from all the infected machines against the primary target.

As you can see, your computer can be hijacked without your knowledge and then used in a major attack against an unsuspecting company. However with up-to-date virus/firewall protection, your computer will be immune to such hijacking.

Other ways by which virus spreads

Other sources of viruses have been found to be the result of software downloads available over the Internet. Software patches, drivers, demonstration software, from reputable companies, generally carries little risk. However, the Internet is also filled with “unofficial” software, pirated programs, and low-budget software from questionable sources that may be intentionally or unintentionally infected with viruses. Files downloaded directly from the Internet (either through file-sharing programs or direct download from websites), are among the fastest growing sources of computer virus infections.

Email, with its nearly universal availability and ease of use; chat rooms and messenger systems, not only make communication simple and quick, also make the transmission and re-transmission of infection simple and alarmingly fast. Creators of newer viruses, and internet worms specifically target these systems because they are widely used, and are often built right into the operating system and used with default settings making them much easier to attack and exploit.

As a point of reference, Internet Explorer, and Outlook/Outlook express email clients are two of the applications most targeted by Internet viruses and worms. Why? Because they are installed on more computers around the world than any other software, and they are installed 99% of the time with default settings (which means virus programmers have an easy blueprint to follow).

If you use an email system or instant message system that is installed automatically with your computer’s operating system you need to install and use current antivirus software. You also need to learn how to turn off certain default settings that can leave your system open to very easy attack.

Security System The Way To Protect Your Home Or Business

A security system is the key to protecting your home or business from intruders and burglars. Today security systems are increasingly popular and are installed in the majority of homes. There are many different models available from wired systems to wireless systems. You can also purchase do it yourself alarm systems that will range in price from $10 to $100, but for a sophisticated whole home security alarm system you will need to call in the experts.

A security system is built around a basic design concept and this concept uses a simple electric circuit. This circuit is built into an entry way and once the circuit is broken the alarm system is triggered. There are two types of circuits that are used and these are closed circuit systems and open circuit systems. Closed circuits are normally seen as the better choice.

Magnetic sensors are also used for closed circuit systems and when a door is closed the magnet closes the circuit. Other methods use small buttons which are embedded in the door frame and these buttons are pushed in when the door closes. If the door is opened the button is released and this will trigger the alarm.

The control box is the next most important piece of equipment used in security systems and these control boxes are normally located just inside your entrance door. Once your alarm system has been triggered you must enter your security code into the control box to disable the alarm.

The control box is also used to turn your alarm system on when you are leaving your home and is crucial to any security alarm system.

These are the key components to a security alarm system; sensors or circuit breakers and a control box. There are many additional components that can be used and these include motion detectors.

Whatever type of alarm system you decide to have installed in your home or business, it is always advisable to shop around before purchasing anything.

Playing to win – how to find the best gaming laptop

Finding the best gaming laptop can be very frustrating at times. In fact, finding the best of any computer related products can be frustrating because the technology field is so fast paced.

One thing is for sure that whatever is top of the line today most assuredly will not be in the top in a couple of months.

As I said, the pace of technology is simply astounding. And it can also get pretty frustrating if you just bought what you thought was the king of gaming notebooks, only to have a new king appear on the market a few weeks later.

This is why it may be better to consider looking for certain qualities in a gaming computer, rather than a specific brand or model.

Models get switched out every so often.

Brands get hyped by the reporters and computer magazines one issue, only to have their reputations bashed in the next.

Instead, what I recommend is to hunt for consistent quality across the board instead of just a flash in the pixilated pan.

No matter what brand or model your considering, the best gaming laptop must first and foremost come with Intel Centrino mobile technology.

First off, these new chipsets make sure that your notebook doesnt burn through its battery after only a few rounds of Doom III. And secondly, this mobile technology maximizes the graphic output, making images and movement appear smooth and crisp, not choppy and blurred.

Of course, to really appreciate these high-grade visuals, you need a large, potentially wide screen display. In the area of 14 or 15 inches, with wide angles and crystal clear imaging.

The extra display size may make your laptop a bit more unwieldy, but youre there to play the computer, not lug it around.

Finally, to maximize your web gaming, you should get a laptop with the finest in wireless technology, such as Bluetooth and Wi Fi connectivity. These will add the mobile to your mobile gaming, allowing you to challenge the competition in San Diego, California and San Juan, Costa Rica.

Now when your comparing prices and models, it goes with out saying that you should maximize your hard drive space, games and graphics need alot of space. Also remember to maximize RAM memory, and processor speed as well. For all of these components are literally the backbone of any computer system, let alone the best gaming laptop.

Mouse Hunt Not The Movie (Choosing The Perfect Mouse For Your Computer)

Computer Mouse its something you wouldnt run away from. Instead, it is the one thing you would search for. In fact, every body is in search for a good one. And it has actually become a not-so-easy task to hunt for a good mouse for your pc.

What do you look for, when you say good computer mouse? Often, when you buy a whole pc set, a mouse is already included. But there are others who still search for a good one.

In choosing a mouse, you must consider its compatibility with the pc and of course, with you, the user. As the technology advances, there are many types of mice to choose from ranging from mechanical (the ball-inside-type) to optical (ones that use laser to detect movement). Check the connectivity, as there are different mice with different connectivity ports: RS-232C serial port, PS/2 port and the USB.

The cordless (or wireless) mouse uses infrared and Bluetooth devices to receive and send signals. The advantage of cordless mouse is that the user wouldnt have to deal with messy wires. It is necessary though, for the pc (or laptop notebook) to have a Bluetooth or infrared capabilities. Also, most cordless mouse require batteries to operate.

Use the foot mouse when you do not want your hands to get off the key-board. This unusual idea was prompted by Hunter Digital, for the purpose that both hands can continually work on the keyboard while the foot can simultaneously move the mouse.

The touchpad (or glidepoint) is a usual input device found on laptop notebooks, and portable PCs. This built-in mouse and mouse pad is operated by the fingers gliding along the pad which sends signals to the censors and eventually moves the cursor. Like a normal external mouse, the touchpad also has two buttons which you can click to access icons, buttons and tabs.

The intellimouse, which is also known as the scroll mouse has become the standard mouse that comes along with the PC set. It has a wheel in between the two buttons that can be used to scroll up and down on the window. You dont have to point and drag on the vertical scroll bar which is usually at the side of the window. On some programs, the wheel can be used to open a link in tab.

Normally, the ball of the mouse is found inside the mouse. However, the trackball mouse has the ball on top of the gadget. This reduces the movement of the wrist of the user. The fingers or the thumb are used to move the ball that prompts the cursor to point at an object in the screen.

The trackpoint is another built-in device found inmost laptop notebooks and portable pc. It is a subtle, almost like a pencil eraser isometric joystick located between the letters GH and B. It enables the user to navigate the cursor without removing his hands on the keyboard. The two buttons of this joystick are found under the spacebar.

You must choose a mouse in which you, the user, will comfortable using. It would be best to check for the following in choosing a mouse:

Find a mouse that is as flat as possible and that would fit just right in your palm. This would reduce wrist extension.

Find a mouse that would easily glide as you prompt it. This way, you can reduce tension in your wrist and you can prevent restrictions in the circulation of blood. Remember, it is in your wrist where your pulse is–it should have a relaxed and free flow of blood to avoid injuries.

It is also beneficial to find a mouse that easily be configures to a left or right hand usage. This way, should your other hand be tired, you can shift the work to the other and give the former hand a little rest.

As more and more people make the switch from wireless networks to secure networks in their homes, there are a whole new range of security issues to be aware of. Too often people set up their wireless network and forget about the security implications.

However, this can be a serious oversight as people can easily access your personal information and is a common cause of fraud. In this article we advise you on some of the steps you can take to make sure your wireless network is secure.

Almost all computers with recent operating system and wireless capabilities will have the option to turn on a built in firewall. If you are using an older operating system you may want to install a third party firewall. Although this alone will not stop third parties from accessing your network, it will act to secure each computer on the network from unwanted network requests.

Creating secure user accounts is also advisable. Weak username / password combinations are exploitable should a hacker try to gain access to your networked computer via your wireless network. Stronger passwords will generally contain mixed case alphanumeric characters. You can easily find advice on writing secure passwords on the internet.

Most wireless routers allow you to access their configuration with your web browser. Be sure to change the default username and password that allows you to administrate your router to prevent unwanted access. If you do not, almost anyone could breach your network.

In addition, every network capable computer will have at least one MAC address that identifies it on your network. Granting access to your wireless network based on MAC addresses will filter out unwanted users and network capable devices. It is not foolproof, but it will discourage most would-be hackers.

Wireless routers also broadcast an SSID which is basically a name of the network that appears when a computer picks up its signal. By default, this will usually be the name of the manufacturer of your wireless router. Many companies identify their networks using the SSID and it can be a handy way to identify Wi-Fi hotspots when you are out and about. However, for the sake of your home network it is not really necessary so it is a good idea to stop broadcasting it entirely.

It should also be possible to encrypt the data that is sent between computers on your wireless network. However, you must ensure that all computers have the same encryption settings.

One of the main reasons that wireless home networks can have security issues is because the signal can often reach beyond the boundaries of your home. One major financial institution recently lost millions of credit card records because it did not have its wireless system properly secured.

Another method that is commonly used to secure wireless networks is static IP addressing. IP addresses are often assigned automatically on wireless networks. However, networks are much more secure if the IP addresses of all computers on a network are set by hand. This is not foolproof but will keep out casual hackers.

If possible, place your wireless router in a part of your house or apartment where the signal will not travel too far beyond the boundaries of your home. If your home overlooks a street, do not put your router too close to this part of your home. In addition, if you are going on vacation or are going to be away for an extended period of time you should turn your router off while you are gone.

Even if you do not have a wireless network in you own home, it is important to know how to keep your notebook secure when you are out and about. You should make sure that your notebook does not auto-connect to other wireless networks. By default, both Windows and Mac OSX will display a warning before connecting to unknown networks and both will allow you to identify which networks you trust for automatic connection. When you are connecting to outside networks that you do not know, make sure that your firewall is turned on.

Too many people overlook the importance of securing their wireless networks. The steps outlined above should not take long to implement. While they may not guarantee 100% security, they are likely to deter any would-be hackers.

These are just some of the steps you can take to make your home wireless network more secure. There are millions of networks out there that are very poorly protected so if you take the time to put even a few of these safeguards in place you will most likely deter any would-be hackers.

Wireless fidelity , or WiFi, is an amazing technology that allows you to network your computers, office, home, etc. without the need for wires. This makes networking so much easier and less messy because wires are not used. The computers simply connect to the network via radio signals.

Because of this easiness, many businesses, schools, malls, restaurants, cafes, stores, airports and other businesses have set up wireless hot spots that allow anyone to log onto the network. This is amazing for individuals that need to be able to work from any location, however there are some disadvantages because hot spots can be used by unauthorized users if not adequately protected through different security safeguards.

Hot spots are relatively new, but are growing in acceptance and popularity because of the incredible access it gives to students, travelers, business people and the like. Some hot spots are free, while others charge an hourly rate.

These days, if you go to an airport or hotel you will see signs that say internet zone or hotspot and will either say free or how to pay. Because of this evolution, individuals are able to work and study wherever they are, which makes traveling and working much easier and less downtime which is very important.

Wireless networking can also be installed in your home, which means you can work in any room in your home or even outside if you so choose. Many individuals are starting to realize how much easier this makes their lives and are installing the equipment necessary for a wireless network.

To get started, you will need an Internet connection, a router, and then wireless cards for your respective computers. The router allows the Internet signal to be routed throughout the home and the wireless cards that each computer has picks up the signal which eliminates the use of wires. All of this equipment can be purchased in your local computer store or online if you are looking for extra discounts.

If you are interested in installing a wireless network in your home, office, or business, then you can do some research online and install it yourself if you know even a little bit about computers. However, if you have a lot of computers you want to connect or are unsure of what you are doing, then you might consider hiring a professional to handle your wireless solution for you.

Once you have the wireless network setup anyone in your hotspot will be able to log onto the server as long as they are within range. However, if you want to exclude just anyone from logging on then you can use a virtual private network, Internet Protocol Security, or other security programs that will protect unauthorized users from logging onto your network.

Built in wireless capabilities are becoming almost standard equipment on most laptop and home computers these days for a couple of reasons. One of the primary reasons is cost. Adding wireless capacity is so inexpensive that it would be silly for the manufacturers not to add it. The perceived value of any machine with wireless capacity far exceeds the cost to add it. Wireless is the wave of the future, so if the manufacturers want to stay ahead of the technology curve they need to add it to all but there most basic models.

However, if you’re like most people you probably can’t even check how much memory your computer has, let-alone if your computer is wireless enabled. Throw in the fact that you may not even know what wireless networking is and it’s easy to ignore even trying to determine if your computer has that capacity. As a result, having ever taken the time to set it up is clearly out of the question.

However, since you bought your computer you’ve probably heard more and more about “going wireless” because it’s becoming the hip thing to do. If that’s the case with you or I’ve simply peaked your imagination then read a bit more because I’ve outlined a few things you can to do to check if your computer has wireless capabilities.

Laptops – Intel Centrino Mobile Technology
Computer manufacturers do less than a perfect job at explaining what this means but if you if your laptop came with this built in then that’s good news for you! In a nutshell, it means that your laptop has wireless networking built right in and you don’t have to do a thing. Intel Centrino Mobile Technology is a marketing name for a combination of the Intel Pentium M processor and Intel’s’ Pro Wireless card.

If you have Intel Centrino Mobile Technology then your computer should have a “Centrino” sticker on it somewhere. If you can’t find a sticker but you suspect you had one at one time then simply do the following. Right click on your “My Computer” icon. It’s probably on your desktop but if not then go to your Start Menu, find My Computer, right-click and select Properties. When the menu opens look at what it says after or under the word Computer.

On a side note, Intel Centrino Mobile Technology also increases battery life and allows manufacturers to build computers smaller. If you can’t find anything referring to Intel Centrino Mobile Technology under the word Computer — don’t worry because as long as your laptop has a free card slot, installing wireless is a piece of cake.

Desktop Computers
If you’re not sure whether or not your desktop computer has a wireless connection, the easiest thing to do is to simply turn it around and look for a small aerial sticking out of the back towards the bottom. If it’s there then you are wireless enabled. On the other hand, if there’s nothing then it’s still possible that you have a wireless device in the computer, especially if you purchased anytime in 2005 or beyond. However, because it’s not the best idea (unless you’ve done it before) to try and open up your computer to check something I’ll show you a way to check, if your wireless enabled, using Windows.

Using Windows to Check Wireless Capacity
Rather than messing with your computers hardware to verify what you’ve got installed, you can just as easily check using your Windows’ Device Manager. To use it, right click My Computer / Choose Manage / and then click Device Manager.

After you click Device Manager a list of everything you can install will appear on the right half of the screen. Take a look under Network adapters and ignore anything that says 10/100 or Ethernet because they are simply normal network connections — not wireless ones. If there’s anything else there, it could be a wireless device.

If you think you have a wireless device, but it has a yellow warning sign alongside its name in the Device Manager, you should take a look at it to see what’s wrong by double clicking on it. Windows should then tell you why the device is not working at the moment and may even suggest that you go through its troubleshooter program. Do that before you do anything else.

If it turns out to be a driver problem, you should insert the driver CD that came with your computer. If you can’t find the driver CD that came with your computer – don’t worry because you should be able to find and then download the appropriate driver online. The first step would be to go to website of your computers manufacturer and do a search for the name of the wireless device that showed up in your Device Manager. Once you find the correct driver simply download it and follow the instructions.

After all this (actually about 5 minutes) you may discover that you don’t have a wireless enabled computer — oh well, those are the breaks. However, it’s clearly better to find out your computers wireless capacity now — before you go out and buy some wireless equipment and then realize that you didn’t even need it.

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