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If I have an Acer pink mini laptop, is it wireless and can it connect to the Internet router downstairs and the wireless printer?

Connecting an Acer Laptop to Wireless Devices

You don’t mention the model of your pink Acer, but I think it is fairly safe to assume that it is quite new, probably an Aspire, and almost certainly equipped with wireless capability. As long as you are using a wireless router for the other computer, or computers, in your house you should be able to connect your laptop to the same network. A wireless router is one that provides Internet access without requiring cables. Check the router and make sure that it is appropriate for a wireless network.

Connect to a Wireless Network

Establishing a wireless network or connecting your computer to an existing network should be fairly straightforward. There may or may not be a small switch or tab on the side of your laptop, if so, make sure that it is set to on or enabled. You might want to consult your user manual to be sure.

Connecting to a Wireless Network with Windows Vista

Assuming also that you are running Windows on your Acer, here are some steps to find and connect with the existing wireless network in your house with Vista.

1. Click Start, then Control Panel
2. Choose Network and Internet
3. Under Network and Sharing Center, choose Connect to a Network
4. Choose Show All, then Refresh
5. Your network should show up, select it and click Connect
6. Check the option to Start this Connection Automatically
7. You may need to enter a password. Check with the person who set up the original network.

Adding a Network to your Laptop

If no networks show up, here’s how you can add them:

1. In the Connect to a Network window, choose Set Up a Connection or Network
2. Choose Manually Connect to a Wireless Network
3. Click Next
4. Enter the name of the network… sometimes the network is named after the router, like Linksys, ask the person who set up the router network, or check on the other computer to see the name of the network its connected to
5. Enter the information for the network, you might also need to check for this on the other computer on the network
6. Check Start this Connection Automatically
7. Click Next, then Connect To and you should be online (again, you may need to enter a password to connect)

Connecting to a Wireless Printer

For the wireless printer, you will need to load the software that came on a CD with the printer onto your laptop and initiate the sequence to configure them. The wireless printer manual should walk you through the process. If you would like us to detail the steps, let us know the make and model of the printer as well as more details about your computer such as the operating system. Good luck!