Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I install and troubleshoot a wireless network in Windows XP?

A:
  1. Verify the following items prior to installing or troubleshooting a wireless network.

    • Broadband Internet Service Provider (ISP) service is active
    • Router/Access Point supports the type of adapters being used
    • Wired Network Interface Connection (NIC) is active in Device Manager for the computer that is used for configuring the router
    • Wireless NIC is active in Device Manager for computers to be connected wirelessly
    • Version of Windows® is supported by the router and adapter
    • Which version of Service Pack installed on the computer. The Service Pack determines the type of encryption that can be used.
    • Verify that Wireless Zero Configuration is active in MSCONFIG.

  2. Use an RJ-45 cable to connect from the Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) or cable modem to the computer's NIC.

  3. If the wireless NIC adapter is not already disabled, disable the wireless NIC adapter. If the adapter is internal, disable the wireless radio signal. The M275 notebook uses the keystrokes of FN+F7; all other Gateway® notebooks use FN+F2.

  4. From the Start menu, click Run. In the Run dialog box, type: CMD, and then press ENTER. At the command prompt, type: ipconfig, and then press ENTER. Information similar to the following graphic displays:
    CMD command

  5. Verify that the Internet access is active prior to setting up the network. Unless there is a dedicated server on the network, the Internet Protocol (IP) address is set dynamically by the ISP.

  6. Open Internet Explorer® to verify that the Internet connection is active.
    • If the router or cable/DSL modem was replaced recently and then not able to receive the Internet connection, the ISP should be contacted. Some ISPs register the Internet connection to your modem with a specific MAC address. You need to contact them to have the new MAC address registered.

  7. Disconnect the RJ-45 cable from the computer. Connect the cable to the Internet or Wide Area Network (WAN) port on the router.

  8. Connect a RJ-45 cable from the router to the NIC on the computer.

  9. Open the Command Prompt dialog box and complete a release/renew sequence.

    1. From the Start menu, click Run. In the Run dialog box, type: CMD, and then press ENTER. At the command prompt, type: ipconfig, and then press ENTER.
      CMD command
    2. At the command prompt, type: ipconfig /release. The information appears without Default Gateway being populated.
    3. At the command prompt, type: ipconfig /renew. The information appears after a few seconds, with Default Gateway repopulated. Write down the number for Default Gateway.

  10. Wait a few seconds, and then test Internet Explorer.

  11. In the Internet Explorer Address text field, type: http:// followed by the Default Gateway address, and then press ENTER.

  12. In the Logon dialog box, enter the appropriate user name and password. The default settings for the most common routers are listed in the following table:

    Router Address Username Password
    3Com® http://192.168.1.1 admin admin
    D-Link®   admin  
    Linksys®     00000
    Microsoft® Broadband   admin admin
    NETGEAR®   admin password

  13. Configure the router.

    1. If desired, change the password for accessing the router settings. Save this setting prior to entering the wireless settings.
    2. Change the Service Set Identifier (SSID) (network name) to a non-generic name.
    3. Enable SSID broadcasting. If desired, this can be disabled after access to the wireless network is completed.
    4. Set the channel to one that is not being used by any other 2.4 GHz devices (cordless telephone, etc.) in the vicinity. Common channels used are 6 and 11.
    5. Setting the network to a security mode is recommended. Verify that the method of encryption is supported by all computers that are to connect to the network.
    6. If the cable/DSL modem is also a router, disable Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) on the wireless router.
    7. Save the settings.
    8. Disconnect the RJ-45 cable from the computer.
    9. Enable the wireless NIC adapter. If the adapter is internal, use the keystroke FN+F2 (FN+F7 for the M275), to enable the wireless radio signal.
    10. Open the Command Prompt dialog box and complete a release/renew sequence.
    11. In the systray, right-click the Wireless Network Connection icon. On the General tab, click View Wireless Networks.
    12. In the Wireless Network Connection dialog box, click to select the SSID for the network, and then click Connect.
    13. If the network was secured, a dialog box prompting for the encryption code opens. Enter the encryption code on the first line, and then re-enter it on the second line. Press ENTER.

  14. If a connection is not achieved, open Control Panel, and then open Network Connections.

  15. In the Network Connections window, right-click Wireless Network Connection, and then click Properties.

  16. In the Wireless Network Connections Properties dialog box, click the Wireless Networks tab. On the Wireless Networks tab, in the Preferred networks list, click to select the displayed network. Click Remove, and then click Apply. This forces a recreation of the network wireless network settings.

  17. Open the Command Prompt dialog box and complete a release/renew sequence.

  18. In the systray, right-click the Wireless Network Connection icon, and then click View Available Wireless Networks.

  19. In the Wireless Network Connection dialog box, click to select SSID for the network, and then click Connect.

  20. If the network was secured, a box requesting the encryption code opens. Enter the encryption code on the first line, and then re-enter it on the second line.

  21. If connection is still not achieved, re-enter the router configuration utility. For testing purposes, disable security. Save the settings. Remove the network from Wireless Network Properties again. If this works, either reset the security settings or try a different encryption version.

  22. If using a different utility than Wireless Zero Configuration, open the utility and select Let Windows manage my Wi-Fi (or similar selection). If that option does not exist, remove the utility and reinstall just the driver through Device Manager. Verify Wireless Zero Configuration is active in MSCONFIG.

  23. Open the Command Prompt dialog box and complete a release/renew sequence.

  24. In the systray, right-click the Wireless Network Connection icon, and then click View Available Wireless Networks.

  25. In the Wireless Network Connections dialog box, click to select the SSID for the network, and then click Connect.

  26. If the network was secured, a dialog box prompting for the encryption code opens. Enter the encryption code on the first line and re-enter it on the second line.

Router/Access Point

An Access Point can be B, B-G, A, A-B, A-B-G, etc. The correct wireless NIC needs to be used on the correct AP. An 802.11b NIC does not work on an access point that is only 802.11a. In this case it is not even seen. An AP can only be set to work with one type, for example, a B-G AP can only be set to work with G Cards, and so any B cards trying to connect will not work, but can often see the AP since it is on the 2.4 GHz band.