Win XP Wireless connection w/ new iMac?

Factual Questions
1

eh, my original OP was lost when I closed firefox waiting for preview post. I hope the hamsters are happy! Long story short: I’ve got a new iMac. Love it. The g/f’s relatively new laptop (Dell XP SP2), when she’s here, picks up the wireless signal immediately. My new iMac connection, that is.

I’m wondering about the Dell/PC that’s in my bedroom (also XP SP2) . It doesn’t act the same way. Can I tell if it has wireless capability? The laptop needed no such prodding. Right way, there it is (the connection) you could say, with the laptop. It would be nice if the PC in the bedroom could do the same?

Thoughts?

2

Actually, perhaps the better question is whether or not to hook up the cable modem/ethernet cable to the Dell in the bedroom and have the new iMac pick up that connection.

I’m pretty dumb, really. But knowing that doesn’t really make me any smarter.
(or less ignorant)