# Connecting a 12 year old computer to WiFi.
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/connecting-a-12-year-old-computer-to-wifi/715120
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [March 16, 2015, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/connecting-a-12-year-old-computer-to-wifi/715120 "2015-03-16T16:30:09Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Foggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Foggy)
#### Post date: [March 16, 2015, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/connecting-a-12-year-old-computer-to-wifi/715120/1 "2015-03-16T16:30:09Z")
What would I need to do to connect this [computer](http://40.media.tumblr.com/c5789847ec5420d0fb8855c98d5151e7/tumblr_nfmc8ocCSk1tfye43o1_1280.jpg):
> [@](#):
>
> **Operating System** Windows XP Home Edition 32-bit SP3
> **CPU** Intel Pentium 4 Northwood 0.13um Technology
> **RAM** 1.00GB SDRAM @ 133MHz (3-3-3-6)
> **Motherboard** Intel Corporation D845GLLY (X1)
> **Graphics** FPD1530 (1024x768@60Hz) Intel 82845G/GL/GE/PE/GV Graphics Controller (Gateway 2000)
> **Storage** 74GB Western Digital WDC WD800BB-53CAA1 (ATA)
> **Optical Drives** MATSHITA DVD-ROM SR-8588
> **Audio** Unimodem Half-Duplex Audio Device
…to WiFi?
And before anyone tells me to upgrade, I can’t, no money for it. In fact I doubt I can afford to do what it takes to connect to WiFi, but I want to know just in case.
Thanks!🙂
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### Author:  [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)
#### Post date: [March 16, 2015, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/connecting-a-12-year-old-computer-to-wifi/715120/2 "2015-03-16T16:35:09Z")
[This should work](http://www.bestbuy.com/site/netgear-n300-wireless-n-usb-adapter-black/9928575.p?id=1218196479078&skuId=9928575). Specs say it should work with Windows XP, and you appear to have at least one USB port on your computer. I can’t say that it would be very fast, but it should at least work. Be warned that I tried something similar to this with a 2001 P4 box with XP Professional and the computer itself became horribly slow, probably because of the wifi driver. But it did _work_.
-robert\_columbia, A+ certified computer technician since 1999.
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### Author:  [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)
#### Post date: [March 16, 2015, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/connecting-a-12-year-old-computer-to-wifi/715120/3 "2015-03-16T17:37:29Z")
This assumes that you have a wifi network to which you can legally connect.
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### Author:  [@buddy431](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buddy431)
#### Post date: [March 16, 2015, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/connecting-a-12-year-old-computer-to-wifi/715120/4 "2015-03-16T18:20:55Z")
That motherboard also appears to have PCI slots, so if one is available, you could use something like [this](http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833704040).
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### Author:  [@Foggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Foggy)
#### Post date: [March 16, 2015, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/connecting-a-12-year-old-computer-to-wifi/715120/5 "2015-03-16T18:27:00Z")
> [@robert\_columbia](#):
>
> [This should work](http://www.bestbuy.com/site/netgear-n300-wireless-n-usb-adapter-black/9928575.p?id=1218196479078&skuId=9928575). Specs say it should work with Windows XP, and you appear to have at least one USB port on your computer. I can’t say that it would be very fast, but it should at least work. Be warned that I tried something similar to this with a 2001 P4 box with XP Professional and the computer itself became horribly slow, probably because of the wifi driver. But it did _work_.
>
> -robert\_columbia, A+ certified computer technician since 1999.
That little thing is all I need, wow! Thank you!
> [@bob\_2](#):
>
> This assumes that you have a wifi network to which you can legally connect.
Well of course. 🙂
I’m currently using a friend’s laptop & connecting to his WiFi account with his permission, but this won’t last as he will need his laptop back soon. The hotel is planning to install WiFi for the residents soonish, if it’s free, I wanted to know if/how to connect to it.
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### Author:  [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)
#### Post date: [March 16, 2015, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/connecting-a-12-year-old-computer-to-wifi/715120/6 "2015-03-16T18:27:16Z")
Yeah I would go for PCI, myself. I wouldn’t trust USB for WiFi…it can be so flaky.
XP is fine with wireless. I had my XP boxes on wifi for years.
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### Author:  [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)
#### Post date: [March 16, 2015, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/connecting-a-12-year-old-computer-to-wifi/715120/7 "2015-03-16T18:45:02Z")
> [@bob\_2](#):
>
> This assumes that you have a wifi network to which you can legally connect.
Reported for making an ass out of you and me.
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### Author:  [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)
#### Post date: [March 16, 2015, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/connecting-a-12-year-old-computer-to-wifi/715120/8 "2015-03-16T18:48:02Z")
> [@Foggy](#):
>
> That little thing is all I need, wow! Thank you!..
You’re welcome. And yes, a PCI card should work too, but your photo makes it hard to tell whether you have a slot available. Keep in mind that it’s unlikely to be a speed panacea - it still may be a bit slow. I think that test with the 2001 box actually did involve a PCI wifi card.
Also be sure to scan for viruses and unnecessary software - that can help speed things up.
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### Author:  [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)
#### Post date: [March 16, 2015, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/connecting-a-12-year-old-computer-to-wifi/715120/9 "2015-03-16T18:55:57Z")
> [@robert\_columbia](#):
>
> Reported for making an ass out of you and me.
Did I do something wrong?
The OP’s question implied someone who is not all that knowledgeable about computers. I know someone, a fair bit younger than me, who thought that his new computer, that the salesman assured him would connect to the internet wirelessly, would do just that. He had no idea that he would have to pay for a connection and install a router.
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### Author:  [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)
#### Post date: [March 16, 2015, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/connecting-a-12-year-old-computer-to-wifi/715120/10 "2015-03-16T19:00:44Z")
> [@Foggy](#):
>
> That little thing is all I need, wow! Thank you!
A long time ago when we first got wifi I used something like this to connect my Win 3.11 computer to it. Worked fine, though they were a lot clunkier back then.
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### Author:  [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)
#### Post date: [March 16, 2015, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/connecting-a-12-year-old-computer-to-wifi/715120/11 "2015-03-16T19:01:34Z")
> [@Foggy](#):
>
> That little thing is all I need, wow! Thank you!
> …
You can buy even smaller USB WiFi adapters. The one I bought for my ex’s computer is the size of my thumb nail + the silver connector bit. Maybe 3/4" total length.
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### Author:  [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)
#### Post date: [March 16, 2015, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/connecting-a-12-year-old-computer-to-wifi/715120/12 "2015-03-16T19:11:11Z")
> [@bob\_2](#):
>
> Did I do something wrong?
>
> The OP’s question implied someone who is not all that knowledgeable about computers. I know someone, a fair bit younger than me, who thought that his new computer, that the salesman assured him would connect to the internet wirelessly, would do just that. He had no idea that he would have to pay for a connection and install a router.
No, just being a bit humorous. I didn’t actually report you :).
---
### Author:  [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)
#### Post date: [March 16, 2015, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/connecting-a-12-year-old-computer-to-wifi/715120/13 "2015-03-16T19:12:54Z")
> [@Leaffan](#):
>
> You can buy even smaller USB WiFi adapters. The one I bought for my ex’s computer is the size of my thumb nail + the silver connector bit. Maybe 3/4" total length.
The smaller ones might not have the best range. It probably wouldn’t be significant to the OP situation since other bottlenecks are more likely to matter, but smaller adapters _are_ easier to lose and harder to find when lost.
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### Author:  [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)
#### Post date: [March 16, 2015, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/connecting-a-12-year-old-computer-to-wifi/715120/14 "2015-03-16T19:38:08Z")
> [@robert\_columbia](#):
>
> [This should work](http://www.bestbuy.com/site/netgear-n300-wireless-n-usb-adapter-black/9928575.p?id=1218196479078&skuId=9928575). Specs say it should work with Windows XP, and you appear to have at least one USB port on your computer. I can’t say that it would be very fast, but it should at least work. Be warned that I tried something similar to this with a 2001 P4 box with XP Professional and the computer itself became horribly slow, probably because of the wifi driver. But it did _work_.
>
> -robert\_columbia, A+ certified computer technician since 1999.
I recently used one of those on my mom’s older PC running XP. Worked like a charm.
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### Author:  [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)
#### Post date: [March 16, 2015, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/connecting-a-12-year-old-computer-to-wifi/715120/15 "2015-03-16T19:46:07Z")
> [@robert\_columbia](#):
>
> The smaller ones might not have the best range. It probably wouldn’t be significant to the OP situation since other bottlenecks are more likely to matter, but smaller adapters _are_ easier to lose and harder to find when lost.
Actually it might as he states he is going to use hotel wifi, those things are hit or miss for signal strength you may get. A PCI card would get you the ability of a real antenna. If you have a network connector, you can get a wireless bridge instead which would allow you to place the antenna where signal is greatest.
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### Author:  [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)
#### Post date: [March 17, 2015, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/connecting-a-12-year-old-computer-to-wifi/715120/16 "2015-03-17T00:40:04Z")
Just wanted to add that $35 is very expensive for a wifi adapter. You can get them for $10 or less, such as this random one from Amazon:
> **[Amazon.com: Panda Ultra WiFi (b/g/n) 150Mbps Wireless-N 2.4GHz USB Adapter -...](https://www.amazon.com/Panda-Ultra-150Mbps-Wireless-Adapter/dp/B00762YNMG)**
>
> Buy Panda Ultra WiFi (b/g/n) 150Mbps Wireless-N 2.4GHz USB Adapter - Windows XP/Vista/7/8/10/11, Mint, Ubuntu, openSUSE, Fedora, Centos, Kali Linux, Tail OS and Raspbian Compatible: USB Network Adapters - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on...
Use the difference to buy more RAM for your computer. 1 GB is way too little for most websites these days; you’ll probably have trouble even checking webmail…
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### Author:  [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)
#### Post date: [March 17, 2015, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/connecting-a-12-year-old-computer-to-wifi/715120/17 "2015-03-17T02:27:23Z")
I’m surprised that no one has suggested the most obvious answer – [a WiFi bridge](http://www.cnet.com/how-to/reuse-an-old-router-to-bridge-devices-to-your-wireless-network/). The great thing about a bridge is that the device (old computer, media player, whatever it may be) thinks that it’s connected directly to the Ethernet so there are no wireless driver issues, and you will often (as in the linked example) get way better performance than you ever could with some WiFi dongle. The bridges I have are based on WRT-54GLs with Tomato firmware but you can buy ready out-of-the-box wireless-N capable bridges.
On an old machine like that you’ll be limited by the USB1.1 speed but it will still be way better than a USB dongle and it’s a clean solution requiring no changes to the PC at all.
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### Author:  [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)
#### Post date: [March 17, 2015, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/connecting-a-12-year-old-computer-to-wifi/715120/18 "2015-03-17T04:31:41Z")
> [@wolfpup](#):
>
> I’m surprised that no one has suggested the most obvious answer – [a WiFi bridge](http://www.cnet.com/how-to/reuse-an-old-router-to-bridge-devices-to-your-wireless-network/). The great thing about a bridge is that the device (old computer, media player, whatever it may be) thinks that it’s connected directly to the Ethernet so there are no wireless driver issues, and you will often (as in the linked example) get way better performance than you ever could with some WiFi dongle. The bridges I have are based on WRT-54GLs with Tomato firmware but you can buy ready out-of-the-box wireless-N capable bridges.
>
> On an old machine like that you’ll be limited by the USB1.1 speed but it will still be way better than a USB dongle and it’s a clean solution requiring no changes to the PC at all.
Why would you be limited by USB speed on an Ethernet connection?
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### Author:  [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)
#### Post date: [March 17, 2015, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/connecting-a-12-year-old-computer-to-wifi/715120/19 "2015-03-17T05:19:09Z")
In terms of speed limits, it’s likely that the most noticeable things would be:
1. Shared wifi like that is usually hecka slow to begin with
2. An old computer like that can barely keep up with any modern web browser already, and the CPU and RAM are going to be more of a bottleneck than even USB 1.1’s 12Mbps limit.
I wouldn’t worry about USB or ethernet speeds. Any plain ol’ wifi adapter is going to be the most modern component of that system, and more than fast enough.
And it’s probably easier to just pop in the driver disc and install the driver rather than finding an old router that can use custom firmware, downloading and flashing that custom firmware, properly configuring the network settings, etc. And if you go out and buy a wifi bridge, you still have the same driver issues, and they usually cost more.
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### Author:  [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)
#### Post date: [March 17, 2015, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/connecting-a-12-year-old-computer-to-wifi/715120/20 "2015-03-17T05:28:26Z")
Just checked: that [motherboard has USB2 anyway](https://www.dropbox.com/s/bh18zp58dd9ef4u/Screenshot%202015-03-16%2022.27.23.png?dl=0). But I’d be surprised if you even get speeds of 1 or 2 Mbps from this free wifi, much less USB 1.1 or 2.0 speeds.
[Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/connecting-a-12-year-old-computer-to-wifi/715120.md?page=2)