How to Install an External Wired Network Adapter in an HP Notebook
HP offers a range of notebook computers, including dozens in the HP Pavilion line. Your HP notebook may have USB ports, PC Card slots, ExpressCard slots, or Firewire ports, depending upon the age of the notebook and the model. You will need to inventory your ports, compare them against any known issues and incompatibilities between your card and your computer, purchase an external wired network adapter, and then physically insert the card into the computer.
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Instructions
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Examine your HP notebook to determine the types of ports you have available and the number of ports. Account for any other external devices that you regularly connect to ports, including printers, wireless network adapters, and external hard drives, to select the best port type.
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Check your HP Support resources to make sure that the select port type does not have any known conflicts with external wired network adapters. For example, the HP Pavilion zv5001US notebook's PC Card slot cannot work with certain PC cards, such as the Sierra 750 and Merlin C201 wireless network adapters.
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Research and purchase an external wired network adapter that is compatible with your HP notebook and with the operating system on your computer. Cross-reference the card against the Windows Hardware Compatibility List if you are unsure if the card has drivers that will work with your operating system.
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Start your computer. Insert the external wired network adapter into the matching port type.
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Allow Windows to detect new hardware and to install drivers. Follow any documentation bundled with your external wired network adapter. You may have to update drivers or install additional software.
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Insert an RJ45 or ethernet cable into the RJ45 port on the ethernet card. Attach the other end of the cable to a router, hub or switch.
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