NOTE: These networking instructions do not apply to internal cards with Bluetooth® wireless technology or cellular products.
NOTE: To configure a wireless computer running the Windows 2000 operating system, see the User's Guide that came with your wireless network adapter.
Determining Your Network Type
NOTE: Most wireless networks are of the infrastructure type.
Wireless networks fall into two categories—infrastructure networks and ad-hoc networks. An infrastructure network uses routers or access points to connect several computers. An ad-hoc network does not use routers or access points and consists of computers that broadcast to one another. For additional assistance with setting up your wireless connection, go to support.dell.com and search for the keyword wireless setup.
1
infrastructure network
2
ad-hoc network
Connecting to a Wireless Network in Microsoft® Windows®
XP
Your wireless network card requires specific software and drivers in order to connect to a network. The software is already installed. If the software is removed or corrupted, follow the instructions included in the user's guide for your wireless network card. Theuser's guide is located on your Drivers and Utilities CD (that came with your computer) in the "User's Guides-Network User's Guides" category. Theuser's guide is also available on the Dell Support website at support.dell.com.
When you turn on your computer, a pop-up appears from the network icon in the notification area whenever a network is detected in the area for which your computer is not configured.
Click either the pop-up or the network icon to configure your computer for one of the
available wireless networks.
The Wireless Network Connections window lists the wireless networks available in your area.
Click to select the network you want to configure, and then click Connect or double-click the
network name in the list. If you select a secure network (identified by a
icon), you must
enter a WEP or WPA key when prompted.
NOTE: Network security settings are unique to your network. Dell cannot provide this information.
Your network is configured automatically.
NOTE: Your computer can take up to 1 minute to connect to the network.
After your computer is configured for the wireless network you selected, another pop-up notifies you that your computer is connected to the network you selected.
Thereafter, whenever you log on to your computer in the area of the wireless network, the same pop-up notifies you of the wireless network connection.
icon), you must
enter a WEP or WPA key when prompted.
