The Acer Aspire 1310 Notebook Computer and Wireless LANs
Your Acer Aspire 1310 notebook computer may or may not have a built-in wireless network adapter as the 802.11b wireless LAN was an optional feature on this particular computer. Most laptops that have built-in wireless have a switch on the laptop that you use to turn wireless on and off. The two most common places for these switches are in the upper right corner of the laptop’s surface or along the front edge, near the latch. Look for a tiny “on/off” switch with an icon near it that looks like a radio tower emitting radio waves.
Enabling Wireless on your Aspire 1310
If your computer is so equipped, enabling wireless is as easy as flipping the switch. You will need a wireless signal, of course. This may come from a wireless network that you’ll be setting up in your home or from a Wi-Fi hotspot such as at the local Starbucks or your public library. When the switch is in the on position and you are within range of a free Wi-Fi hotspot, you should see a notification in your System Tray saying “Wireless networks are available.” From there, you can click on a link to connect. Your Windows Firewall (or other installed firewall) should prompt you to choose a profile which is a security measure to keep hackers from wirelessly intruding into your computer.
Public Hotspots
If you’re at a public hotspot, choose the “public” profile. Some Wi-Fi hotspots require that you enter your customer number or hotel room information to verify that you are a paying customer and that you qualify for the service. You may need to check with an employee for assistance connecting.
Installing a Wireless Adapter on your Aspire 1310
Since the wireless LAN adapter was optional, there’s a good chance that you do not have this option. Don’t worry, you can free yourself of cables soon enough. The two main types for laptops are PCI wireless network cards and USB wireless adapters. Both are easy to install and use. If you have a free PCI card slot, I’d go with a PCI card because USB ports fill up fast, especially if you have a USB mouse, MP3 player, printer, and so on. These wireless adapters simply plug in to your free PCI card slot or USB port (depending on the type you get) and require a simple installation. Once installed, your computer should be able to see other wireless networks. You will need to enter a password to log onto secured wireless networks such as your home network, so double check with whoever’s in charge to make sure that you have the proper log on credentials.
Celeste Stewart | November 13th, 2008
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