Wireless Internet Connection

The Windows XP system is designed for easy access to wireless networks. To obtain access to the law school’s wireless network, simply follow these three steps:

1. Check to see whether your laptop already is enabled for wireless access.
   • Click on "Start," then on "Control Panel"
   • Once in "Control Panel," click on" Network and Internet Connections"
   • From there, click on "Network Connections"
   • The Network Connections window should contain icons for available connections.
     
     
   If you have an icon called " Wireless Network Connections," check to see whether its status is described (under or beside the icon) as “enabled.” If so, you should have access to the Law School’s wireless network.
   
   If you lack such an icon, proceed to Step 2. If you have such an icon, but the wireless connection is not enabled, proceed to Step 3.
   
   
2. Install wireless access on your Windows XP system.
   • First, purchase a WiFi or 802.11b/g network card. Cards with listed speeds of 108 Mb/sec or 54 Mb/sec are optimal. A card with a listed speed of 11 Mb/sec should work, but not particularly efficiently.
   • Next, insert the WiFi or 802.11b/g network card into the appropriate slot in your computer. The location of that slot varies by computer.
   • Your operating system is designed to detect most cards and then to install wireless access automatically. Once installation is complete, the system should reboot automatically. If it fails to do so, reboot the system before testing for wireless access.
   • If the operating system does not detect your particular card and automatic installation fails, you will receive the following message: “Windows cannot find a suitable driver. Please insert software.” If this happens, consult the instructions enclosed with the installation CD that came with the network card you purchased. Follow those instructions. Once installation is complete, the system should reboot automatically. If it fails to do so, reboot the system before testing for wireless access.
   • Should automatic installation fail and your installation CD or floppy disk does not contain written instructions, take the following steps: Insert the installation CD into your CD rom drive, or the floppy disk into your A drive, then follow the prompts on your screen. Please note that you may get a prompt asking you where Windows should check for software for your new card. Check the appropriate box for the kind of installation software you purchased (either installation CD or floppy disk).
     Once this process is complete, reboot the system before testing for wireless access.
     
     
3. Troubleshoot common problems.
   If you have followed the above-listed steps but still lack wireless access, you may wish to try the following before contacting Microsoft or speaking with Munir Daw, the Technical Manager at the law school:
   
   
   • Ensure your computer will obtain automatically the necessary IP address and DNS server.
     
     
     • Click on "Control Panel"
       
     • From there, click on "Network and Internet Connections," then on "Network Connections."
       
     • Right click on the "Wireless Network Connections" icon, then click on "Properties."
     • From there, find "Internet Protocol (TCP/iP)." Highlight that and click on "Properties."
     • Make sure Obtain IP Address Automatically is selected; if it isn’t, select it by checking the appropriate box.
     • Make sure Obtain DNS Server Automatically is selected; if it isn’t, select it by checking the appropriate box.
       
       
   • Make sure your Wireless Antenna Switch is on.
     
     
     • Some laptops contain a Wireless Antenna Switch. To determine whether your computer has such a switch, check the icons in the lower right portion of your screen. The icon for the Wireless Antenna Switch looks like a radio tower.
     • If your laptop has a Wireless Antenna Switch, locate the switch on your keyboard (the location will vary but should be marked clearly) and ensure that it is on. If it’s off, turn it on.

If you remain unable to connect to the Internet, contact Munir Daw, School of Law Technical Manager, in Room 247.