No WIFI Icon on Network Connections Page

I want to enable WIFI, but there is no icon on the Network Connections page of the Control Panel. All I see is a box with this info:

"Local Area Connection - Network 4 - Intel(R) 82578DC Gigabit Network Connection"

How do I add a WIFI icon to the Network Connections page?

My router is (AT&T) 2-Wire 3800HGV-B (the router sees a wireless dongle on my TV, so I know WIFI is active).

OS: Windows 7 64-bit.

TY!

You have to have a wireless adapter on your PC too. You will need to buy a wireless dongle or PCIe card to make use of it. What make/model is your motherboard? Fill in the System Specs please - System Info - See Your System Specs

GokAy said:

You have to have a wireless adapter on your PC too. You will need to buy a wireless dongle or PCIe card to make use of it. What make/model is your motherboard? Fill in the System Specs please - System Info - See Your System Specs

I filled in my system specs.

Why do I need a wireless dongle when I already have a wireless router/modem?

TY

Mark and 2 Cats said:

Why do I need a wireless dongle when I already have a wireless router/modem?

TY

You need something on your computer to receive the wireless signal from the router/modem.

Looking at the specs for your motherboard, I only see ethernet, no wireless built in, so you need a dongle.

derekimo said:

Mark and 2 Cats said:

Why do I need a wireless dongle when I already have a wireless router/modem?

TY

You need something on your computer to receive the wireless signal from the router/modem.

Looking at the specs for your motherboard, I only see ethernet, no wireless built in, so you need a dongle.

The computer is wired to the router/modem. Sorry - I should have made that clear. So the computer should be able to use the router/modem as a wireless transmitter/receiver, no?

No, those are two separate components. You need a device on your computer capable of receiving wireless signals.

Just because it's connected with a wired connection doesn't give it wireless capability.

derekimo said:

No, those are two separate components. You need a device on your computer capable of receiving wireless signals.

Just because it's connected with a wired connection doesn't give it wireless capability.

TY for the info derekimo - I shall get a WiFi dongle.

Why does my modem/router have wireless capability if my computer cannot use it? What is it there for?

It's there for when you can use it, a feature. You just need both parts to use it. :)

Your phone (which has a built in wireless adapter) can connect to it, laptops (also built in) can connect, only some desktops have a wireless adapter built in. The rest of us would need a dongle to make use of the wireless.