How to Set Wireless up on a Laptop Using Windows XP

If you have a laptop, it is critical that you have a wireless Internet connection. It will save you a headache if you are familiar enough with the software that maintains that connection to configure yourself so you can keep working anywhere that has an active connection.

How to Configure Wireless Access on Your XP Computer

Step 1

From the desktop screen, click the "Start" menu button. Select "My Network Places" from the list.

Step 2

Choose "Set up a wireless network for a home or small office" from the box called "Network Tasks." The Wireless Network Setup Wizard will open. Click "Next."

Step 3

Type in the network name (SSID). If you do not know the SSID, this can be found back in the "My Network Places" window. Choose "View Wireless Networks" from the list. This will bring up the access points within range of you. Type the name of the one you are trying to connect to back in the "Wireless Network Setup Wizard" screen.

Step 4

Leave the default setting radio button in the "Automatically assign a network key" selection if you do not have a network key assigned to your network, or you do not know it. If you have a network key and are prepared to enter it, select "Manually assign a network key." Click "Next."

Step 5

Enter the key and hit "Save Settings" to manually assign the key. If you are auto-assigning the key, and one is not required of the network you are trying to connect to, when you click "Next", you should see the wireless card attempting to establish the connection. Once your IP addressed is assigned by the router, you should be able to open the browser of your choice and begin surfing the Web.

Tip

• If you have any issues with the basic instructions, there are many troubleshooting techniques available at various site. Simply enter the issue you are having into any search bar, and you should get a wealth of information. A good place to start is the Microsoft website.
• Some wireless cards come with an additional software program to manage your wireless settings. It's best to use the Windows wireless management system and disable any other program that tries to manage your connection. Having more that one software trying to manage your connections will cause interruptions in your connection status. However, it is a good idea to keep both installed should one program become corrupted or cause difficulty.

Resources

• Microsoft.com

About the Author

Melissa Harkins has been in the technical industry for more than seven years. Her expertise is writing technical instructions in terms the end user can understand. She has been an on-site technical trainer for various companies writing internal documentation for their specific configurations. Most of these have been instruction-style manuals with easy-to-follow instructions so that everyone can be a pro on the computer.

Photo Credits

• laptop image by martini from Fotolia.com