This guide will help you setup most wireless hardware for Windows XP. It is assumed you have already configured the access point as described in the documentation.

Although most hardware can be setup automatically, we will describe how to manually set this up, as this is useful to know if you ever have any problems.

Step 1: First identify the SSID, Channel Mode and WEP key for use with your new hardware. You may need to consult your manual for this information, alternatively you may find it on a label underneath your hardware. Note: Some hardware my not use WEP, so you may not be presented with a WEP key.

Step 2: Start up your computer. Look for the wireless network icon in the bottom right of the screen. Click on the Wireless Connection icon, you'll see a window that indicates connection strength and duration. Click the Properties tab.

Step 3: The next window will show the type of networking card installed. Click the Wireless Networks tab (Shown in the image above).

Step 4: Once the Wireless Network Connection Properties window is open you will have two options depending on how you have setup your desktop/laptop.

• If you do not see any networks listed in Preferred or Available Networks: You will have to manually add the SSID. Click Add and enter the SSID and WEP key, if required. Click OK you will then see the network you just added in the Available Networks box.

• If you see the correct SSID showing in Available Networks: You need to click Configure and enter the WEP key, if requried.
  

Step 5: In the next window, enter the SSID for the wireless network you want to access. Make sure you do not have Caps-Lock or Num-Lock turned on whilst entering the information as it is case sensitive. If a network key is required, click Data Encryption and enter the Network key you have been provided with, again this is case sensitive. Click OK. If you enter the key incorrectly a message will pop up and you will need to re-enter the key.

Step 6: Go to Start and click Connect - you will now see a number of choices. Click Wireless Network Connection and the connection should work. However, there are times when the connection does not work. If this happens you need to check your firewall software and make sure it lets you connect to the Wi-Fi network.

To check this: Disable your firewall software and check the connection again. If you can connect with the firewall program disabled, you should change your settings. If your firewall program is not the problem check the SSID and WEP key information that you entered. Both of these are case sensitive. If you have obtained SSID information from the Internet, check with someone in the establishment to see if the SSID has been changed.