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Make a Basic Network Connection in Microsoft(R) Windows XP: Intel(R) PRO/Wireless Network Connection User's Guide

Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network Connection
Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 2915ABG Network Connection
Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 2200BG Network Connection

Connect to a Network in Microsoft(R) Windows XP
View the Status of Your Wireless Connection

Connect to a Network in Microsoft(R) Windows XP

The information in this User's Guide assumes that your wireless card and the software are already installed in your system. If you did not receive your wireless card as part of a system, refer to the Setup Guide that came with your wireless card for hardware and software installation instructions. You can check your system to verify that the wireless card is installed.

To see if you have a wireless card installed:

1. From your Windows Desktop or Start Menu, right-click My Computer.
2. Select Properties.
3. Click the Hardware tab.
4. Click Device Manager.
5. Double-click Network adapters.

If a supported wireless card is installed, either Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network Connection, Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 2915ABG Network Connection or Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 2200BG Network Connection is listed.

If you use Microsoft Windows XP, it is recommended that you follow the steps below to configure your wireless network connection. You can also choose to use Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless to configure your wireless card. This is discussed in the Make a Basic Network Connection in Microsoft(R) Windows 2000 or Use Intel(R) PROSet Wireless sections.

NOTE: If you use Microsoft Windows XP (Service Pack 1) Category View, some of the windows shown in the following examples may appear different from those on your screen. To switch from Category View to Classic view, click Start > Control Panel and on the navigation bar, click Switch to Classic View.

Connect to a Network

Before you attempt to connect to your network, verify that your access point or wireless router is connected correctly.  Please consult your access point or wireless router documentation. You should now choose the type of security for your wireless network. Most home networks use either no security or Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) encryption. Additional security settings are also available that are typically used in corporate environments or for advanced users who require higher levels of security.

1. Right-click the Intel PROSet/Wireless icon on the taskbar. Click Use Windows to manage Wi-Fi on the taskbar menu. The Wireless Network Connection Properties opens.

NOTE: If Open Intel PROSet/Wireless is listed at the top of the taskbar menu, you need to select Use Windows to manage Wi-Fi to open the Wireless Network Connection Properties.

2. Under Preferred networks, click Add to open the Wireless network properties.

NOTE: The names of wireless networks your computer can detect are listed under View Wireless Networks. For Microsoft Windows XP Service Pact 1, it is necessary to click Available Networks to see a list of available wireless networks.  The name of your network is listed here. If a blank network name (SSID) is received from a silent mode wireless router, there is no entry for that network in the wireless networks list. To associate with a "silent mode" wireless router, a new preferred network must first be created . After connection, the associated SSID can be viewed in either the Wireless Networks list or the Preferred Networks list.

3. Network name (SSID): Enter the name of your network.
4. Click OK. The new network name appears in the Preferred networks list.
5. Click OK to close the Wireless Network Connection Properties.

To add an infrastructure network:

Network security must now be configured. For a home wireless network, you can choose not to have security, or you can configure your network for WEP security. If there is no network security, anyone can access your wireless network. WEP security provides some level of security for your wireless network. Additional advanced security settings are also available that are typically used in corporate environments or for advanced users who require higher security levels. You must ensure that the security settings on the access point exactly match those chosen for the wireless connection.  Choose the appropriate link below for the security type that you want to use. 

• Configure your Infrastructure Network with No Security
• Configure your Infrastructure Network with WEP Security
• Configure Advanced Network Security Settings in Windows XP
• Configure Advanced Network Security Settings with Intel PROSet/Wireless

Configure your Infrastructure Network with No Security

1. Right-click the Intel PROSet/Wireless Network icon on the taskbar.
2. Click Use Windows to manage Wi-Fi. The Wireless Network Connection Properties opens (see Connect to a Network).

NOTE: If the wireless adapter is not already connected to a network, it is necessary to click Advanced in the Wireless Network Connection window to open the Wireless Network Connection Properties window.

3. Click to select your wireless network in the Preferred networks to open the Wireless Network Connection Properties (see Connect to a Network).

NOTE: Click Add to add a new network. Enter the Network Name (SSID) and proceed to step 4.

4. Click Properties. The properties for the selected network opens.

5. Network Authentication: Select Open.

NOTE: Earlier versions of Microsoft Windows XP software may not contain these menus. If you use one of these earlier versions, click to clear Data encryption (WEP enabled) and skip to step 5.

6. Data encryption: Click Disabled.
7. Click OK to save your settings.
8. Click OK to close the Wireless Network Connection Properties.

Your network configuration is now complete.  Continue to View the Status of your Wireless Connection.

Configure your Infrastructure Network with WEP Security

1. Right-click the Intel PROSet/Wireless Network taskbar icon.
2. Click Use Windows to manage Wi-Fi. The Wireless Network Connection Properties opens (see Connect to a Network).
3. Click to select your wireless network in the Preferred networks list (see Connect to a Network).

NOTE: To add a new network, click Add. Enter the Network Name (SSID) and proceed to step 4.

4. Click Properties to open the Wireless Network Properties.
5. Network Authentication: Select Open.

NOTE: Earlier versions of Microsoft Windows XP software may not contain these menus. If you use one of these earlier versions, click Data encryption (WEP enabled) and skip to step 6.

6. Data Encryption: Select WEP.
7. Clear The key is provided for me automatically.
8. Network Key: Type the WEP network key.  Your Network key must exactly match the access point's network key.  Your Network key is either 5 or 13 ASCII (text) characters, or 10 or 26 hexadecimal (0-9, A-F) characters.  The person who configured your access point is the only one who knows your network key.
9. Confirm network key: Reenter the key.

10. Click OK to save your settings.
11. Click OK to close the Wireless Network Connection Properties.

Your network configuration is now complete.  Continue to View the Status of your Wireless Connection.

View the Status of Your Wireless Connection

The quality of your wireless connection is affected by:

• The strength of your wireless networking signal
• The level of noise created by other devices in your home or office
• The location and environment in your home or office

The quality of your wireless network is indicated by the Wireless Network Connection icon (Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2) or (Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 1), located in the lower right corner of your Windows desktop. Point to this icon for a description of your signal quality.

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