3 Connecting to a network

Your computer can travel with you wherever you go. But even at home, you can explore the globe and access information from millions of websites using your computer and a wired or wireless network connection. This chapter will help you get connected to that world.

Connecting to a wireless network

Wireless technology transfers data across radio waves instead of wires. Your computer may be equipped with one or more of the following wireless devices:

●Wireless local area network (WLAN) device—Connects the computer to wireless local area networks (commonly referred to as Wi-Fi networks, wireless LANs, or WLANs) in corporate offices, your home, and public places such as airports, restaurants, coffee shops, hotels, and universities. In a WLAN, the mobile wireless device in your computer communicates with a wireless router or a wireless access point.

●Bluetooth device—Creates a personal area network (PAN) to connect to other Bluetooth- enabled devices such as computers, phones, printers, headsets, speakers, and cameras. In a PAN, each device communicates directly with other devices, and devices must be relatively close together—typically within 10 meters (approximately 33 feet) of each other.

For more information about wireless technology, see the information and website links provided in HP Support Assistant. To access HP Support Assistant, on the Start screen, select the HP Support Assistant app.

Using the wireless controls

You can control the wireless devices in your computer using these features:

●Wireless key

●Operating system controls

Using the wireless key

The computer has a wireless key and one or more wireless devices, depending on the model. All of the wireless devices on your computer are enabled at the factory.

Because the wireless devices are enabled at the factory, you can use the wireless key to turn on or turn off the wireless devices simultaneously.

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