How to hook up a second computer.

[John Schmidt]

I need to get Nancy's computer operating but not sure how to add a second computer. I have a good WIFI but not sure that has anything to do with a 2nd 'puter. Any advice is welcome.

[Serk]

Not entirely sure what you're asking? Does it just need Internet access from your home? Does it need to share data/printers as well?

Is her computer a desktop or a laptop?

If a laptop it likely has a WiFi NIC in it and just needs to be connected to your WiFi network.

If it's a desktop, it likely doesn't have WiFi, although that can be added relatively inexpensively. It likely has a wired network card. If that's the case your WiFi router should have a few Ethernet copper ports on it that her computer could plug in to, if it's going to be set up near to the router.

Hope that made a little sense?

[bassman]

Depending on her computer - Windows or Apple.....if Apple I THINK most, if not all, have WiFi capability already built in (my 8 year old laptop does so I'm ASSUMING anything later should also) and you can just log into your existing WiFi....just like adding a phone, iPad etc.  If Windows that may not have that capability (I'm not familiar with HP, Dell, Asus) you can use a dongle.

https://www.amazon.com/wifi-dongle/s?k=wifi+dongle


Just realized I have a 10 year old "spare" computer in my workroom that has WiFi built into it.  Its predecessor did not and I used a dongle.

Hope this helps.  Good luck...should not be a big deal.

[carolinarider09]

What they said above and having the password for the wireless internet server you are going to connect to. 

On my MacBook (and I think my apple computer) there is a thing at the top of the screen looks like a "signal strength indictor" (three curved bars each one a little bigger then the one below).  I just click on that and it shows a list of things I can connect two wireless.   

PCs are similar but I don't have one with me to remember with the thing looks like.  I think it's at the bottom right of the screen.  But just an old memory.

[John Schmidt]

Well, I finally got her hooked up. The problem was(and still is), she had no idea of useable passwords, which one of a rather long list of various writings might happen to be the magic one. I finally narrowed it down and got one that worked so I could sign her in. Next was another one to actually access Chrome...same scenario. Finally figured that one out...this is getting to the point where the trash bucket is looking tempting. Now I'm at the point I was able to find the "settings" button which was a different approach to the Control Panel access. There I was able to determine how to activate WiFi access and following that I got her on the internet.

What made this so much fun was she has no notes or instructions, passwords were changed at various times with no indication of which one was now active. I literally was one step away from tossing the fool laptop and modifying her old W7 OS desktop to be able to use WiFi. That computer works perfect and has loads of space but...she doesn't like the keyboard. (forehead slap). Life with Nancy is...interesting! 

[Jess from VA]

I hate laptop keyboards, and plug in an old desktop one.   

[h13man]

I hate laptop keyboards also thus I purchased a wireless mini mouse for $30.

[scooperhsd]

Will not use wireless keyboards / mice if at all possible. We only have laptop computers, I don't mind using the laptop keyboard, but I could use a USB keyboard, and I ALWAYS use an external mouse (hate the touchpads).

[John Schmidt]

I'm with you guys re. the laptop keyboard although I do use a wireless mouse. Nancy has some numbness in two fingers on her right hand and using a regular keyboard seems to bother it so she's fine with the laptop keyboard. I know I'll have to show her again how to get on her little toy computer...even with notes this time.