Knowledge Base

Table of Contents:

1. Wireless Networking: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
2. Setting up a Wireless Network
3. View and Connect to Available Wireless Networks
4. How Do I Find my Wireless Network Name
5. Getting the Wireless Network Name Directly from the Wireless Router in Windows XP
6. How Do I Find my Wireless Network Key
7. Securing Your Wireless Network
8. Troubleshoot Problems Finding Wireless Networks
9. My Internet Browser Cannot Display the Web Page
10. Setting up File and Printer Sharing
11. File and Printer Sharing Issues
12. How to Download and Install a Driver
13. How do I determine the Components in my Computer?
14. Internet Firewall Issues and FAQ's
15. The Wireless Network Adapter Still Cannot see any Networks or Will Not Connect
16. Changing the Wireless Network Name

This below provides links to other articles concerning wireless networking setup and troubleshooting for Windows XP.

Issue 1. Wireless Networking: Frequently Asked Questions

The article below provides information about:

• What is a wireless network?
• What are the different types of wireless network technologies?
• What hardware does my computer need to be on a wireless network?
• What is a Wireless Network Name (SSID)?
• What is a Wireless Security (Network) Key?
• How Do I Create a Wireless Security (Network) Key?

Wireless Networking: Frequently Asked Questions

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Issue 2. Setting up a Wireless Network

The article below provides information about:

• What equipment and services are needed to set up a wireless network?
• How to set up the wireless network hardware?
• For information on securing your wireless network, refer to the Securing Your Wireless Network section.

Setting up a Wireless Network

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Issue 3. View and Connect to Available Wireless Networks

This article provides information on how to connect to your wireless network

View and Connect to Available Wireless Networks

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Issue 4. How Do I Find my Wireless Network Name

The easiest way to find your wireless network name (SSID) is to put the computer and the wireless router side-by-side (1 to 3 feet away from each other).

Do one of the following task before performing the steps below:

• For a notebook computer, move the computer next to the wireless router and follow the instructions below.


• For a desktop that is already connected using a network cable, refer to the Getting the Wireless Network Name Directly from the Wireless Router in Windows XP section and follow the instructions. Otherwise it may be necessary to move the wireless router closer to the desktop (you do not need to move or power off the broadband modem because Internet access is not needed at this time, but any other computer(s) that is connected to the wireless router will not able to access the Internet during this process). Make sure the wireless router is powered on after moving it and follow the instructions below.
  Note: After finding your wireless network name, you will need to move the wireless router back to its original location and re-connect it to the Broadband Modem.

1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
   • When using Classic Start menu, click Settings, and then click Control Panel.

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2. Click Switch to Classic View in the upper-left corner when available.
   

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3. Double-click Network Connections.
   

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4. Double-click the Wireless Network Connection.
   Note: Refer to the Dell Knowledge base article Windows cannot configure this wireless connection message appeared if that message appeared and follow the instructions to allow Windows to control the Wireless adapter.

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5. Click Refresh network list in the upper-right corner, and then again when the screen refreshes.
   

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6. Write down the wireless network name with the strongest signal, exactly as you see it.
   Note: The signal strength is indicated by the number of green bars. Look for a listing that has five green bars next to it (it may be necessary to scroll up or down to find it, if the there is no listing with 5 green bars, refer to the Getting the Wireless Network Name Directly from the Wireless Router in Windows XP section and follow the instructions.

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Issue 5. Getting the Wireless Network Name Directly from the Wireless Router in Windows XP

For this process to work a network cable will have to be connected between one of the LAN ports on the back of the wireless router and the LAN port on the computer.

1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
   • When using Classic Start menu, click Settings, and then click Control Panel.

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2. Click Switch to Classic View in the upper-left corner when available.
   

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3. Double-click Network Connections.
   

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4. Double-click Local Area Connection Connection depending on how this computer connects to the wireless router.
   

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5. Click the Support tab.
   

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6. Locate and write down the IP address to the right of Default Gateway.
   

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7. Open an Internet browser.
   

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8. In the address bar, type http://[Default_Gateway_ip_address], where [Default_Gateway_ip_address] is the Default Gateway IP address.
   

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9. Log into the router. For some of the most common router user name and passwords, refer to Table 1.
   

   Manufacture	User Name	Password
   Linksys	leave blank	admin
   D-Link	admin	leave blank
   Netgear	admin	password
   2Wire	None unless one was set up.	None unless one was set up.
   Belkin	None	leave blank
   Apple	Use the AirPort utility
   SMC	Admin	smcadmin

   Table 1: Common Wireless Router User Name and Passwords
   
   Wireless router manufacturers typically keep the wireless Network Name or SSID under a page listed as Wireless, the method for getting to that page varies (please refer to the wireless router documentation or contact the wireless router manufacturer, links are provided in Table 1).
   
   Be sure to write the wireless network name down, exactly as you see it.
   
   When the common defaults do not work, it means that either someone has changed the default or your model of wireless router has a unique user name or password. Ask whoever may have set up the wireless router what is the user name and password, refer to the wireless router documentation or contact the wireless router manufacturer (links are provided in Table 1).
   
   Note: When all attempts to log in to the wireless router have failed, it will be necessary to reset the wireless router back to its defaults (like it was when first taken out of the box) to connect to the wireless router. Refer to the wireless router documentation or contact the wireless router manufacturer on how to reset the wireless router (links are provided in Table 1).
   
   Before you reset the wireless router please note:
   

   • When you access the Internet through a DSL (phone) connection:
     • Contact you Internet Service Provider (ISP) for your username and password that allows you to connect to the Internet, you will need to re-enter that information into the wireless router.
     • No other computers connected to your network will be able to access the Internet until you re-enter your username and password that you got from your ISP.
     • After re-entering your username and password that you got from your ISP into the wireless router, no wireless computers will be able to access the Internet until you reconfigure the router and wireless computers (refer to the wireless router documentation or contact the wireless router manufacturer, on how to reconfigure the wireless router, links are provided in Table 1).
   • When you access the Internet through a TV cable provider:
     • No other wireless computers connected to your wireless router will be able to access the Internet until you reconfigure the router and wireless computers (please refer to the wireless router documentation or contact the wireless router manufacturer, on how to reconfigure the wireless router, links are provided in Table 1).

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Issue 6. How Do I Find my Wireless Network Key

For this process to work a network cable will have to be connected between one of the LAN ports on the back of the wireless router and the LAN port on the computer.

1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
   • When using Classic Start menu, click Settings, and then click Control Panel.

   ---



2. Click Switch to Classic View in the upper-left corner when available.
   

   ---



3. Double-click Network Connections.
   

   ---



4. Double-click Local Area Connection Connection depending on how this computer connects to the wireless router.
   

   ---



5. Click the Support tab.
   

   ---



6. Locate and write down the IP address to the right of Default Gateway.
   

   ---



7. Open an Internet browser.
   

   ---



8. In the address bar, type http://[Default_Gateway_ip_address], where [Default_Gateway_ip_address] is the Default Gateway IP address.
   

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9. Log into the router. For some of the most common router user name and passwords, refer to Table 2.
   

   Manufacture	User Name	Password
   Linksys	leave blank	admin
   D-Link	admin	leave blank
   Netgear	admin	password
   2Wire	None unless one was set up.	None unless one was set up.
   Belkin	None	leave blank
   Apple	Use the AirPort utility
   SMC	Admin	smcadmin

   Table 2: Common Wireless Router User Name and Passwords
   
   Wireless router manufacturers typically keep the Network Key or Passphrase under a page listed as Wireless Security, the method for getting to that page varies (please refer to the wireless router documentation or contact the wireless router manufacturer, links are provided in Table 2).
   
   Be sure to write the wireless network name down, exactly as you see it.
   
   When the common defaults do not work, it means that either someone has changed the default or your model of wireless router has a unique user name or password. Ask whoever may have set up the wireless router what is the user name and password, refer to the wireless router documentation or contact the wireless router manufacturer (links are provided in Table 2).
   
   Note: When all attempts to log in to the wireless router have failed, it will be necessary to reset the wireless router back to its defaults (like it was when first taken out of the box) to connect to the wireless router. Refer to the wireless router documentation or contact the wireless router manufacturer on how to reset the wireless router (links are provided in Table 2).
   
   Before you reset the wireless router please note:
   

   • When you access the Internet through a DSL (phone) connection:
     • Contact you Internet Service Provider (ISP) for your username and password that allows you to connect to the Internet, you will need to re-enter that information into the wireless router.
     • No other computers connected to your network will be able to access the Internet until you re-enter your username and password that you got from your ISP.
     • After re-entering your username and password that you got from your ISP into the wireless router, no wireless computers will be able to access the Internet until you reconfigure the router and wireless computers (refer to the wireless router documentation or contact the wireless router manufacturer, on how to reconfigure the wireless router, links are provided in Table 2).
   • When you access the Internet through a TV cable provider:
     • No other wireless computers connected to your wireless router will be able to access the Internet until you reconfigure the router and wireless computers (please refer to the wireless router documentation or contact the wireless router manufacturer, on how to reconfigure the wireless router, links are provided in Table 2).

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Issue 7. Securing Your Wireless Network

• The links below provide information on what you need to know to secure your wireless network.
  • What is a Wireless Network Name (SSID)?
  • What is a Wireless Security (Network) Key?
  • How to Create a Wireless Network Security key?
• Refer to the Changing the Wireless Network Name section for more information on how to change the wireless network name or enter a wireless network key on your wireless router.


• After entering a wireless network key into your wireless router, you have to enter it on the wireless network adapter in your computer, for more information on how, refer to View and Connect to Available Wireless Networks.

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Issue 8. Troubleshoot Problems Finding Wireless Networks

This article provides information about condition that could cause the computer not to see any wireless networks.

Troubleshoot Problems Finding Wireless Networks

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Issue 9. My Internet Browser Cannot Display the Web Page

This article provides troubleshooting steps when getting the Cannot Display the Web Page error.

Internet Explorer cannot display the webpage

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Issue 10. Setting up File and Printer Sharing

This article provides information on how to set up file and printer sharing.

File and Printer Sharing Instructions

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Issue 11. File and Printer Sharing Issues

This article provides troubleshooting steps for when file and printer sharing is not working.

File and Printer Sharing Issues

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Issue 12. How to Download and Install the Latest Dell Wireless Network Adapter Driver

This article provides information on how to download drivers for the wireless network adapter installed in your computer.

How to Download and Install a Driver

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Issue 13. How to Find Out Which Wireless Network Adapter Is in Your Dell Computer

This article provides information on how to identify the wireless adapter installed in the computer.

How Do I Determine the Components in a Dell Computer?

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Issue 14. Internet Firewall Issues and FAQ

This article provides information on the Windows firewall.

Internet firewalls can prevent browsing and file sharing

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Issue 15. The Wireless Network Adapter Still Cannot See any Networks or Will Not Connect

After performing the troubleshooting steps outlined above and the computer still cannot see any networks or will not connect, click the link below.

The Wireless Network Adapter Still Cannot see any Networks or Will Not Connect

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Issue 16. Changing the Wireless Network Name

For this process to work a network cable will have to be connected between one of the LAN ports on the back of the wireless router and the LAN port on the computer.

1. Click Start (located in the lower left corner of the computer screen).
   

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2. Click Control Panel.
   • When using Classic Start menu, click Settings, click Control Panel, and then click Classic View.

   ---



3. Click Local Area Connection on the right-side of the window.
   

   ---



4. Click Details.
   

   ---



5. Locate and write down the IP address to the right of IPv4 Default Gateway.
   

   ---



6. Open an Internet browser.
   

   ---



7. In the address bar, type http://[Default_Gateway_ip_address], where [Default_Gateway_ip_address] is the IPv4 Default Gateway IP address.
   

   ---



8. Log into the router. For some of the most common router user name and passwords, refer to (Table 3).
   

   Manufacture	User Name	Password
   Linksys	leave blank	admin
   D-Link	admin	leave blank
   Netgear	admin	password
   2Wire	None unless one was set up.	None unless one was set up.
   Belkin	None	leave blank
   Apple	Use the AirPort utility
   SMC	Admin	smcadmin

   Table 3: Common Wireless Router User Name and Passwords
   
   Wireless router manufacturers typically name the page to enter a Wireless Network Key as Wireless Security and to change the Wireless Network Name as Wireless, the method for getting to that page varies (please refer to the wireless router documentation or contact the wireless router manufacturer, links are provided in Table 4).
   
   Be sure to write the wireless network name down, exactly as you see it.
   
   When the common defaults do not work, it means that either someone has changed the default or your model of wireless router has a unique user name or password. Ask whoever may have set up the wireless router what is the user name and password, refer to the wireless router documentation or contact the wireless router manufacturer (links are provided in Table 4).
   
   Note: When all attempts to log in to the wireless router have failed, it will be necessary to reset the wireless router back to its defaults (like it was when first taken out of the box) to connect to the wireless router. Refer to the wireless router documentation or contact the wireless router manufacturer on how to reset the wireless router (links are provided in Table 4).
   
   Before you reset the wireless router please note:
   

   • When you access the Internet through a DSL (phone) connection:
     • Contact you Internet Service Provider (ISP) for your username and password that allows you to connect to the Internet, you will need to re-enter that information into the wireless router.
     • No other computers connected to your network will be able to access the Internet until you re-enter your username and password that you got from your ISP.
     • After re-entering your username and password that you got from your ISP into the wireless router, no wireless computers will be able to access the Internet until you reconfigure the router and wireless computers (refer to the wireless router documentation or contact the wireless router manufacturer, on how to reconfigure the wireless router, links are provided in Table 4).
   • When you access the Internet through a TV cable provider:
     • No other wireless computers connected to your wireless router will be able to access the Internet until you reconfigure the router and wireless computers (please refer to the wireless router documentation or contact the wireless router manufacturer, on how to reconfigure the wireless router, links are provided in Table 4).

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