How can I get the MAC address for this computer?

Question

I have an Inspiron 1750. In order to set up a printer for wireless use, I need to tell my router to let this MAC (hardware) address through. How can I find it?

DELL-Appu S · Answer

Hi ErnieLane1,

You can get the MAC address for your computer using the following command:

Open Command prompt window
Press and hold the Windows key and press 'R' key. This will open the run window
Type 'cmd' without the parenthesis, click on 'Ok'
In the Command Prompt window, type 'ipconfig /all'; press 'Enter'
It will be listed as Physical Address. That will be the MAC address for your computer

Hope this information helps.

ErnieLane1 · Answer

Now, training mode. This may be an artifact of the DOS days, but why do you suppose it is called 'physical address' and not 'MAC address'?  For that matter, what does 'MAC' stand for?

DELL-Appu S · Answer

Hi ErnieLane1,

Thank you for the response. MAC stands for Media Access Control address. It is a unique identifier assigned to network interfaces for communications on the physical network segment. It may also be known as an Ethernet hardware address, hardware address or physical address. You may refer to the link for more information http://bit.ly/13QfxK

Hope this information helps.

ErnieLane1 · Answer

One more question.  The MAC address for the printer is comprised of pairs of letters/numbers separated by _colons_.  The address for this computer is given as pairs of letters/numbers separated by _dashes_. Should I enter both (MACF addresses to allow, in the router) exactly that way?

DELL-Appu S · Answer

Hi ErnieLane1,

MAC addresses can in the following format: 01-23-45-67-89-AB, in the case of a 48-bit address, or 01-23-45-67-89-AB-CD-EF, in the case of a 64-bit address. Colons (:) are sometimes used instead of dashes (-). Please refer to the link for more information http://bit.ly/14Vm2Wf

If the router is asking for the system MAC address, then type the MAC address that is for your system and vice-versa.

Please reply if you have any questions.

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

How can I get the MAC address for this computer?

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