Whats the difference between LAN cards and a wireless LAN adapter?

[itsjuscindy]

Hello,
I have a Gateway Desktop, XP. Hasn't been turned on in about 6 yrs. I've been told that the LAN numbers are gone.GATEWAY wants $89 to give it to me. (NOT PAYING). SOOOOO, can I buy a LAN card and connect to the internet that way?

 

[Emerald]

How are you trying to connect?

do you have a router?

what do you mean by LAN Numbers? did you use to use dial-up?