- 1). Turn on your laptop and open a web browser in a place where you know there is a Wi-Fi signal. If you can surf the Internet or if you get a request for a password to access the wireless network, you know your computer has an adapter.
- 2). Examine the sides of your laptop for a wireless USB adapter. While these protruding devices are obvious when trying to put a laptop in a case, if the laptop is always stationary, people can become accustomed to them -- to the point of not noticing them anymore.
- 3). Examine the sides of your laptop for a wireless network card inside a port. These are about the size of a credit card. It may or may not have an aerial protruding from it. If you find a card and are uncertain of its purpose, turn off your laptop and eject the card. Read the label on the card to determine what it is.
- 4). Examine the front or side of the laptop for a wireless switch. Many laptops have this switch. If the switch is in the off position, turn it on.
- 5). Check the documentation that came with your laptop to see if it came with a wireless adapter built inside.
- 6). Turn on your laptop. Click on the "Start" button and select "Control Panel." From there, click on "Network and Internet," "Network and Sharing Center" and then "Manage Network Connections." This lists all the adapters in your laptop. Look at each entry to identify a wireless network adapter.
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