Wireless for Not-So-Dummies!

Before you begin to set up your wireless device (laptop, desktop with wireless card,etc), you need to get into your router configuration utility.

This is relatively simple. All you have to do is open your browser and type 192.168.1.1 into the address bar. (Most routers use this address, but some, such as the Siemens Speedstream 6520 use 192.168.2.1) For our purpose, we will be setting up a Linksys router.

When in here, you need to get yourself into the wireless security section of the configuration utility. In my opinion, the type of security you should use is WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy). It is 128 bit security, and very effective at keeping intruders out. You need two pieces of information from the router configuration utility. In the basic settings for wireless, you need to enter a name for your Wireless network. This is called the SSID. I recommend you use something easy to remember, such as your last name.

The next piece of information you will need, is your WEP key. To get the WEP key, go to Wireless->Wireless Security. In here, you will see a dropdown list of different types of wireless security. Choose WEP from this list. Set the encryption level to 128 bit. There is a passphrase field. Enter a word or phrase into this field, and hit the generate button. A 26 character code will be generated. Remember there are only digits from 0-9 and letters from a-f (no o's, l's, or I's) Copy down this code, and the SSID you entered, and you have the information required to set up your computer on your new wireless network.

The Computer
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Now, in order for your computer to connect to your wireless network, you have to configure the wireless connectiod on your computer. For the purpose of this tutorial, I will explain how to set this up in Windows XP, SP2.

First, go to your control panel, and in Classic View, find the Network Connections Icon, and open the Network Connections page.

There should be a heading called LAN or HIGH SPEED INTERNET. If your wireless card is installed properly, you should see a heading called Wireless Connection. Right click on it, and select Properties.

A window with 3 tabs across the top should appear. Click on the one that says Wireless Networks.

Make sure that Use Windows to Configure my wireless network settings is checked
Under Preferred networks, you should remove any networks that are showing up. Click the Add button.

Another 3 tab window will appear. The first one you want to choose is the association tab. Make sure there is no check in the second box from the bottom which says "The Key is provided for me automatically"

Back at the top of the tab, begin entering the following:

Network Name (SSID) Enter the SSID you entered into the router.
Network Authentication: Should be set to OPEN
Data Encryption: WEP
Network Key: The WEP key you wrote down earlier
Confirm Network Key: Enter it again

The key index should be 1 and there should be no checks in two check boxes at the bottom.

Click OK and you will be taken back to the Wireless Networks Tab. The SSID you entered should now be showing up in "Preferred Networks". There may be a red x on it, but that is ok. Click OK, and a yellow balloon should appear above the wireless network icon in the system tray. Test your connection by going to newfieecards.thoughtwatcher.co m.

Learn more about this author, Lori Macdonald.
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