How to Set Up a Wireless Network in Windows XP

Windows XP has tools that will help you to set up your wireless home network quickly and easily. To get started, you will need a wireless router for the computer that is directly connected to your broadband Internet connection and wireless access points for each other computer you wish to connect to the wireless network. Most new computers come with wireless adapters already installed. However, if you have older computers, you will probably have to upgrade them with wireless access points.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Install your wireless router and wireless access points. Turn on all the computers in your network, as well as your broadband modem and router. On the computer that is directly connected to the Internet, click Start > Control Panel > Network and Internet Connections. Click "Network Setup Wizard." Click "Next."

2. Review the checklist for creating a home network provided by the Windows XP Network Setup Wizard. When your network is turned on and ready to be configured, click "Next."

3. Click "No, let me choose another way to connect to the Internet." Click "Next." Select "This computer connects directly to the Internet. The other computers on my network connect to the Internet through this computer." Click "Next."

4. Select your broadband Internet connection from the next list. If an Internet connection is not shown, select "Local Area Connection." Click "Next."

5. Type your computer description and computer name, if desired. Your computer will be identified on the wireless network by the computer name, so change it if it seems to cryptic. However if your ISP requires that your computer have a specific name, do not change the name. Click "Next." Type your workgroup name, if it different from the default "MSHOME." If you will have Vista computers on your network, type "WORKGROUP" in the field. Click "Next."

6. Select whether you would like to turn on file and printer sharing. If you turn on file and printer sharing for your wireless network, you will be able to access shared files from any computer on the wireless network, as long as the computer to be accessed is turned on and awake. Click "Next." Ensure that the settings in the next window are correct and click "Next." Click "Finish" when the wizard prompts you.

7. Click "Wireless Network Setup Wizard" in the Windows XP control panel. Select "Set up a new wireless network." Select the check box at the bottom of the dialogue box if you wish to use WPA encryption instead of WEP. Make sure that the encryption type matches the one you have set up for your wireless router. Click "Next."

8. Select "Manually assign a network key." Type the network key you created when you installed your wireless router. Click "Next." Select whether you want to use a USB flash drive to transfer network settings or set up your network manually. Click "Next." Click "Print Network Settings" then click "Finish."

9. Run the Network Setup Wizard and the Wireless Network Setup Wizard on each other computer on your wireless network that is running Windows XP. If you selected the USB flash drive option in step 8, make sure that you have the drive handy when you run the wizards.

Resources

• How to Set Up a Linksys Wireless Router with a DSL Modem
• How to Set Up a PCI Linksys Wireless Access Point with a Wireless Router
• How to Troubleshoot a Linksys Wireless Router
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[rockymtngrma]

on 8/12/2009 I tried, unsuccessfully to do exactly this. Now I know where I went wrong. Thank you very much for the clearly written instructions. 5*