ARCHIVED: At IU, how do I configure my Windows wireless network card?
Configuring your wireless card is one step in the overall process of using the wireless network at IU. For an overview of the process, see Wireless connections to the internet at IU.
The process of configuring a wireless network card varies depending on the manufacture, model, and controlling software for the card. For Windows Vista and Windows XP, you can use the software already built in, although you may wish to use other software provided by the system or wireless card manufacturer.
For Mac OS X, you may wish to use the AirPort; see ARCHIVED: What is AirPort?
On this page:
Wireless configuration in Windows Vista
On campus in an area covered by the IU wireless network
- On the Taskbar, right click the
Note: When your computer is connected to a network, the icon looks like two computers with a small globe in front of them. If your computer isn't connected to a network, the small globe is replaced by a red
X
. icon
and choose .
- Click to select , and then click .
Wireless configuration in Windows XP
On campus in an area covered by the IU wireless network
Note: If possible, use the first option below, as it is slightly easier to configure your wireless card when you are in range of the wireless network.
- In most cases, you will see an icon next to your clock on the
Taskbar representing the wireless connection. The icon looks like a
computer screen with radio waves emanating from it.
Wireless network icon (disconnected)You may see a balloon saying either "Wireless networks within range" or "Not connected. Right click here for more options". Right-click that icon and select
.If you do not see the connection icon next to the clock, do the following:
- From the menu, click either or and then .
- Double-click the icon. If instead you see , click the link in the upper left corner of the window labeled to see the correct icon.
- Right-click the icon and select .
- The
Wireless Network Connection
window will open. Under "Choose a wireless network", you should see listed. If not, click in the upper left corner. If appears, click the button. Alternatively, you can double-click the entry, and then click the button. Either method is valid.If you do not see
listed, one of the following may apply:- Perhaps you are in an area uncovered by a wireless access signal; for more information, see ARCHIVED: At IU, where can I get a signal for wireless network access?
- Your adapter may be controlled by a different software package. For example, many computers with the Intel PRO/Wireless adapters have the Intel PROSet software installed, which takes over control of the wireless adapter. In that case, do not follow these directions to configure your wireless connection; instead refer to documentation specific to your software.
Pre-configuring while off campus or in an area uncovered by the IU wireless network
To configure a wireless network card using the Windows XP built-in software:
- From the menu, click either , or and then .
- Double-click the icon. If instead you see , click the link in the upper left corner of the window labeled to see the correct icon.
- Right-click the icon and select .
- In the panel that appears, select the tab.
- Under "Preferred Networks", click
- In the new panel that opens, next to "Network name (SSID):", enter
IU Wireless
. - Under "Wireless network key" next to , select .
- For the setting, select .
- Click the tab. Under "Automatic connection", select .
- Click .
.
- In the new panel that opens, next to "Network name (SSID):", enter
- You will return to the "Wireless Network Connection Properties" panel. Under "Preferred networks:", click the button.
- In the list that appears, select . Click .
- You will again return to the "Wireless Network Connection Properties" panel. Under "Preferred networks:", make sure is at the top of the list. If it's not, select it, and then click the button until its position is first.
- Click .
Now, when you come within range of an IU wireless access point, your computer will already be configured to automatically connect to the wireless network.
Related documents
This is document ajzo in the Knowledge Base.
Last modified on 2018-01-18 12:58:38.