Computer help forum: does my Gateway SX2800-07 Desktop PC have wi-fi capabile?

Tell what device or where the internet is coming from and from there we'll figure how to get it to the PCs.
Bob

I'm trying to figure out what to subscribe to. Some say I need amobile wi-fi gizmo, but that it might not work on my desktop if it doesn't have wi-fi capabilities. Some say there's an antenna sort of thin that will help me pick up a connection from nearby. some say i must only get cable access, some say a broadband card will work, some say, some say, some say. I'm only able to make the cost happen once, so I want something that will work for me. I can't seem to find anyone who can tell me in words I understand, what the real options are. I've been going to mc donalds to use their wi-fi. Weird, I can sit at the edge of their parking lot and get access, AND at that point I'm about 60 feet from my porch... but from my porch I have no options.

Then we can look at solving the sharing issues.

hmmm.. the frustration continues. I don't KNOW what to get. That's why I need the info. I can't afford to 'get' something only to find it works on the laptop, but not the desktop.

I can solve this with the cable modem and some wifi access usb cellular modem stick. To me, there is no issue here to solve until we get the internet access decision.

I guess you could ask me to solve for all accesses but at that point I have to unsubscribe.
Bob

maybe I'm making this harder than it needs to be. Thanks for trying to help. I just feel more ignorant by the moment. I give up. Thanks anyway.

I can't see where the criteria is to make the decision. Why not a cable modem and usual router?

Here that's 33 a month for 2 years. And it's cheaper than Virgin Mobile's Android phone which is 35 a month unlimited (with limits) and the Android phone tether is fiddly.

I have most of the solutions figured out but I can't see where you have any burning reason to pick anything but the usual.
Bob

cox and i are at war over a previous issue, so cox is out. their competitor wants 200 install, and i'm on a mo to mo lease so that won't work. i have a motorola modem but that's it.

That's news to me. Given you are going to become a networking guru to solve your wifi issues, isn't installing trivial?

It was here. Hook cable to cable modem. Ethernet to router and configure.

Not a 200 dollar effort.
Bob

I really do appreciate your EFFORTS to help me, though i'm still no further along. The 200 buck installation is to get the cable to the apartment. yes, i have a modem. the problem is the last resident ;cut the cable wires away from the apartment. This means that quest or centurylink or whatever... they would need to come to the apartment and run all new cable. THIS is the reason they give for the 200 installation.
As far as becoming a 'networking guru', that's not at all my intention; it's rather to find a solution to the problem that would (in a perfect world) be in words or descriptions that I could understand. i don't intend on being bothersome, merely to find a solution.

Look at it as an investment: 200 for a year subscription is 8.33 a month to add to the price you pay.Seems reasonable.
The alternative is ADSL via a landline phone connection, if offered where you live.

Based on this simple points, calculate the price for the options available. Data mostly is unlimited or fair use, seldom limited nowadays. Speed is main factor determining the price for any ISP, be it via cable or via ADSL.
Then choose what you like most.

Kees

Here I do the simpler to even guru work because there is about a 10x premium to having it done for me. That is, air filter is 20 bucks at amazon.com but nearly 85 at the dealer.

Since the cable is gone, and cable wiring is your basic stuff with nothing special, what stops you from replacing the missing cable?

Here's a video on that work -> http://www.ehow.com/video_4805818_splice-coaxial-cables.html

So it's just a few minutes to splice then add more cable. Then we route the cable and use clips or tie wraps to hold in place.
Bob