How To Set Up a Wireless Home Network

Setting up a WiFi home network is surprisingly simple since there are no long cables to run.

For the initial configuration, you'll need to temporarily connect your main PC to the wireless router using an Ethernet cable. So, if your PC doesn't have a network interface card or Ethernet connection, you'll have to add one. You'll also need to run an Ethernet cable (permanently) from your broadband modem to the wireless router.

Once you have your main PC connected to your router, you can connect the router to a power source and run the Windows XP Network Setup Wizard or the router's included software on your main PC. That sets up the basic core of your network, and then you can disconnect that Ethernet cable.

All the other computers on your network will connect wirelessly. This means installing a wireless network adapter on each computer -- either internally with an expansion card or externally with USB. If you have a notebook PC, it probably has a built-in wireless adapter.

Run the Windows Network Setup Wizard or other installation software on each PC to properly configure the wireless adapter.

What You Need

Setting Up the Network

Running the Network Setup Wizard

Setting Up Wireless Security

Michael Miller is a writer and commentator on technology and digital lifestyle topics.