# Connecting a 12 year old computer to WiFi. **URL:** \ **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:** 14\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2015, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/connecting-a-12-year-old-computer-to-wifi/715120/21 "2015-03-17T05:38:25Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > Why would you be limited by USB speed on an Ethernet connection? You wouldn’t, of course, but my brain might be limited by pending senility! :smack::smack::smack::smack: The funny thing is that I’ve often actually used a bridge in preference to a USB adapter **for just that reason** – completely aside from the greater sensitivity of the bridge. Ahh, senility. 😃 I guess I’ve just been so sensitized to old computers limited by USB 1.1! The point being, however, that a bridge can be a really, really good idea to obtaining great wireless bandwidth without any dependencies on the client computer except for the singular aspect of its Ethernet connection. That’s a really big plus, and my screw-up kind of obscured that important point. ---
**Author:** ![FluffyBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecb155/32.png) [@FluffyBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FluffyBob)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2015, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/connecting-a-12-year-old-computer-to-wifi/715120/22 "2015-03-17T05:56:12Z")
There are some very cheap and reliable wireless bridges. I have a Cisco I use for my stereo; no drivers, WPS setup. Simple. It was $30, so more than the USB wifi adapter above. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2015, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/connecting-a-12-year-old-computer-to-wifi/715120/23 "2015-03-17T12:05:46Z")
> [@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/). Re-read post #15 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2015, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/connecting-a-12-year-old-computer-to-wifi/715120/24 "2015-03-17T18:22:15Z")
> [@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_. I used the linksys adapter with generic drivers and it work pretty well. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2015, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/connecting-a-12-year-old-computer-to-wifi/715120/25 "2015-03-17T18:42:18Z")
The Ethernet card in my Dad’s ancient computer blew during a storm, and I couldn’t convince him to open the case and replace it, so he uses a USB-WiFi dongle to connect to his router which is 6" away… He actually gets pretty respectable speeds from it, so I think that might be the way to go. ---
**Author:** ![Foggy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foggy/32/1082_2.png) [@Foggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Foggy)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2015, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/connecting-a-12-year-old-computer-to-wifi/715120/26 "2015-03-18T19:46:39Z")
A few things: [ul] [li]The hotel’s WiFi is in the planning stages and if we are lucky, it may be ready by Xmas.[/li][li]I don’t know if it will be free or not.[/li][li]…[/li][li]I’m currently using my friends xfinitywifi account[/li][li]Ram is maxed at 1GB, she canna take any more cap’n.:D[/li][li]The desktop has 3 available PCI Slots[/li][/ul] I don’t really understand what a WiFi bridge is. I think the [TP-LINK TL-WN851ND Wireless N300 PCI Adapter](http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833704040) is the one to go with. It has a low profile bracket, which will fit my computer. Also it’s cheaper than the USB Adapter. Have I missed anything? Again, Thank You. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2015, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/connecting-a-12-year-old-computer-to-wifi/715120/27 "2015-03-19T01:11:50Z")
You can do it but it will absolutely crawl to the point of unusability if your webpages are using flash, java or similar engines. Your PC has only a fraction of the horsepower it needs for useful responsiveness with the latest browsers. Honestly it’s kind of a waste of time to invest any real hours into a doorstop like the one you are working with. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2015, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/connecting-a-12-year-old-computer-to-wifi/715120/28 "2015-03-19T01:48:03Z")
FWIW, I put a wireless card in a 2001 iMac Indigo PowerPC. Works like a charm. (Of course, it’s a little slow on the browsing.) ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2015, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/connecting-a-12-year-old-computer-to-wifi/715120/29 "2015-03-19T03:26:35Z")
> [@Foggy](#): > > I don’t really understand what a WiFi bridge is. I think the [TP-LINK TL-WN851ND Wireless N300 PCI Adapter](http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833704040) is the one to go with. It has a low profile bracket, which will fit my computer. Also it’s cheaper than the USB Adapter. Forget the bridge. It’s more complexity and more difficult setup for no real benefit in this situation. The PCI one would work. So would this USB one for half the price: > **[TP-Link USB WiFi Adapter for PC(TL-WN725N), N150 Wireless Network Adapter for...](https://www.newegg.com/tp-link-tl-wn725n-usb-2-0/p/N82E16833704141)** > > Buy TP-LINK TL-WN725N Nano Wireless N150 Adapter, 150Mbps, IEEE 802.11b/g/n, WEP, WPA / WPA2, Plug & Play in Windows 10 (32 bit & 64 bit) with fast shipping and top-rated customer service. Once you know, you Newegg! Just get the cheapest thing you can, since no matter what, it’s going to be slow – your computer is just way old =/ ---
**Author:** ![iamthewalrus\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2015, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/connecting-a-12-year-old-computer-to-wifi/715120/30 "2015-03-19T22:46:40Z")
**Foggy** , if you haven’t already bought something, I think I have a PCI wifi card you can have. If you’re interested, PM with your address, and I’ll take a look tonight through the pile o’ computer parts. I don’t anticipate needing it again, and I’d be happy to see it get some use and keep it out of a landfill (and out of my pile). ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2015, 8:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/connecting-a-12-year-old-computer-to-wifi/715120/31 "2015-03-22T08:29:15Z")
I had to run on a machine like that for a while, and it worked fine. The majority of any slowdown would be due to Flash, so I say to get a Flash blocking extension. With Firefox, you can also set it up where any tabs will be unloaded with another extension. ---
**Author:** ![Foggy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foggy/32/1082_2.png) [@Foggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Foggy)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2015, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/connecting-a-12-year-old-computer-to-wifi/715120/32 "2015-03-23T01:11:35Z")
> [@astro](#): > > Honestly it’s kind of a waste of time to invest any real hours into a doorstop like the one you are working with. Well this doorstop is all I have. I’m surprised it has lasted this long, and I’m SOL when it dies. There is no getting a new computer. I was without Internet for nearly 6 months and withdrawal is hard. 😉 No naked cats & furry guys! 😃 > [@iamthewalrus\_3](#): > > **Foggy** , if you haven’t already bought something, I think I have a PCI wifi card you can have. Can’t buy anything until maybe May or June. Will it fit a low profile computer case? What Gateway calls a “Micro Tower”. [(Laying down- 5inches tall, 17inches wide, 18inches deep)](http://imgur.com/g47eL0A) PM Away! ---
**Author:** ![Nanoda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Nanoda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nanoda)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2015, 7:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/connecting-a-12-year-old-computer-to-wifi/715120/33 "2015-03-24T07:05:08Z")
I know it’s not solving your question, but depending on your location, you might be able to get a better computer for free from an electronics recycler, or someone who works in an office that uses PCs, or kijiji, or any number of other places. I’ve tossed better gear than that years ago 'cause it was uselessly ancient. (Just looking on kijiji right now, the only requests are for laptops. Nobody wants old PC gear) In any case, I’d also recommend a PCI device over USB - it’s more likely to be stable in the older setup you’ve got. ---
**Author:** ![iamthewalrus\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2015, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/connecting-a-12-year-old-computer-to-wifi/715120/34 "2015-03-24T18:44:03Z")
Mine didn’t fit. I think **Nanoda** has a good idea, though. My company routinely sends better systems to recycling. I’d check around with electronics recyclers in your area. I bet there’s stuff available for free if you look. Are you handy putting computer systems together? It’s not that hard, but you may end up with, say, pieces from a few, and have to put them together and do some troubleshooting. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/connecting-a-12-year-old-computer-to-wifi/715120.md?page=1)