Skink Posted January 12, 2016 Share Posted January 12, 2016 picked up a discounted 'scratch and bash' desktop from Dell for work and its pretty decent (i7 8Gb memory) but doesn't seem to have anything other than Ethernet socket. Its an Optiplex 9020 mini tower I am no techy so (i) how do I confirm no wifi capability? (Device Manager reports nothing I can see) and (ii) what's the best way to add this - I am willing to open the box but no experience of doing so - also there are other devices on the network so do I need multi channel? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghozer Posted January 12, 2016 Share Posted January 12, 2016 (edited) Something like this... http://www.ebuyer.com/337540-asus-pce-n10-wireless-n150-pcie-adapter-pce-n10?gclid=Cj0KEQiA5dK0BRCr49qDzILe74UBEiQA_6gA-jVFM41qTNrp41uGmwqjolCG-bCWjoYCswl2q4zKYOsaAmvk8P8HAQ#fo_c=951&fo_k=1c26f386e40f817a344981ed87546025&fo_s=gplauk?mkwid=sK5tAFbhp_dc&pcrid=51482427899&pkw=&pmt= will do Edited January 12, 2016 by Ghozer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skink Posted January 12, 2016 Author Share Posted January 12, 2016 cool thanks for the quick reply - easy to fit for a numpty with fat fingers? wrt Dell outlet I checked every day for about 3 weeks before the spec I was after came along (wanted i5 minimum with 8Gb) ended up with i7 / Win7Pro for just over £400. The OS was a bonus as I use a lot of older software Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyclone Posted January 12, 2016 Share Posted January 12, 2016 Or, more easily, get a USB adaptor and plug it in. http://www.dabs.com/products/startech-com-usb-2-0-ac600-mini-dual-band-wireless-ac-network-adapter---1t1r-802-11ac-wifi-adapter-usb433wacdb-9S41.html?q=usb%20802.11ac&src=16 ---------- Post added 12-01-2016 at 12:34 ---------- Something like this... http://www.ebuyer.com/337540-asus-pce-n10-wireless-n150-pcie-adapter-pce-n10?gclid=Cj0KEQiA5dK0BRCr49qDzILe74UBEiQA_6gA-jVFM41qTNrp41uGmwqjolCG-bCWjoYCswl2q4zKYOsaAmvk8P8HAQ#fo_c=951&fo_k=1c26f386e40f817a344981ed87546025&fo_s=gplauk?mkwid=sK5tAFbhp_dc&pcrid=51482427899&pkw=&pmt= will do That's an underspecced 802.11n adaptor, ac is the latest standard, and even with n it should be rated to 300mbps, not 150. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tzijlstra Posted January 12, 2016 Share Posted January 12, 2016 How far is it going to be from the WiFi router? If it is in a different room I recommend you get a bigger USB adapter that has an antenna, the small ones can have very poor performance, I had one at less than 8 meters but with a bathroom in between and it continuously lost signal, very annoying. I replaced it with an a/c Netgear USB adapter from Argos last year and that worked well, not sure if they still sell those. Might be a bit more, but was definitely worth it for the uprated performance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skink Posted January 12, 2016 Author Share Posted January 12, 2016 distance might be an issue, router is under stairs PC is in attic - hence not wanting to run an Ethernet cable Not unhappy opening the box (so long as a 'grown up' tells me it isnt a bad idea), but I know Dells can have issues with PCIs from what I have seen on google Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghozer Posted January 12, 2016 Share Posted January 12, 2016 Or, more easily, get a USB adaptor and plug it in. http://www.dabs.com/products/startech-com-usb-2-0-ac600-mini-dual-band-wireless-ac-network-adapter---1t1r-802-11ac-wifi-adapter-usb433wacdb-9S41.html?q=usb%20802.11ac&src=16 ---------- Post added 12-01-2016 at 12:34 ---------- That's an underspecced 802.11n adaptor, ac is the latest standard, and even with n it should be rated to 300mbps, not 150. It was just an example, i'm sure the OP would do further research, or ask more questions before purchase... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skink Posted January 12, 2016 Author Share Posted January 12, 2016 examples are good, comments too being lazy I just went to Amazon and picked #1 seller as my starting point: http://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-LINK-TL-WN881ND-300Mbps-Wireless-Express/dp/B006BSPTAQ/ref=zg_bs_430571031_3 now its making sure it fits and finding a decent non Amazon source Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apelike Posted January 12, 2016 Share Posted January 12, 2016 examples are good, comments too being lazy I just went to Amazon and picked #1 seller as my starting point: http://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-LINK-TL-WN881ND-300Mbps-Wireless-Express/dp/B006BSPTAQ/ref=zg_bs_430571031_3 now its making sure it fits and finding a decent non Amazon source Why not just get it from Amazon or one of the suppliers in the link? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyclone Posted January 12, 2016 Share Posted January 12, 2016 examples are good, comments too being lazy I just went to Amazon and picked #1 seller as my starting point: http://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-LINK-TL-WN881ND-300Mbps-Wireless-Express/dp/B006BSPTAQ/ref=zg_bs_430571031_3 now its making sure it fits and finding a decent non Amazon source I wouldn't buy TP-Link myself. They're flaky, and I'd still say the OP should buy ac, not n. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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