Dell INSPIRON PP05XB Owner's Manual

Also see for E1705 - Inspiron Laptop: Owner's manual Owner's manual

Contents

Setting Up a Home and Office Network 85Your wireless network card requires specific software and drivers for connecting to a network. Thesoftware is already installed.NOTE: If the software is removed or corrupted, follow the instructions in the user documentation for your wirelessnetwork card. Verify the type of wireless network card installed in your computer and then search for that name onthe Dell Support website at support.dell.com. For information on the type of wireless network card that is installedin your computer, see "Checking Your Wireless Network Card" on page 82.Determining the Wireless Network Device ManagerDepending on the software installed on your computer, different wireless configuration utilities maymanage your network devices:• Your wireless network card’s client utility• The Windows XP operating systemTo determine which wireless configuration utility is managing your wireless network card:1 Click the Start button, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.2 Double-click Network Connections.3 Right-click the Wireless Network Connection icon, and then click View Available Wireless Networks.If the Choose a wireless network window states Windows cannot configure this connection, the wirelessnetwork card’s client utility is managing the wireless network card.If the Choose a wireless network window states Click an item in the list below to connect to a wirelessnetwork in range or to get more information, the Windows XP operating system is managing thewireless network card.For specific information about the wireless configuration utility installed on your computer, see yourwireless network documentation in the Windows Help and Support Center.To access the Help and Support Center:1 Click the Start button and click Help and Support.2 Under Pick a Help topic, click Dell User and System Guides.3 Under Device Guides, select the documentation for your wireless network card.Completing the Connection to the WLANWhen you turn on your computer and a network (for which your computer is not configured) is detectedin the area, a pop-up appears near the network icon in the notification area (in the lower-right corner ofthe Windows desktop).Follow the instructions provided in any utility prompts that appear on your screen.Once you have configured your computer for the wireless network that you selected, another pop-upnotifies you that your computer is connected to that network.Thereafter, whenever you log on to your computer within the range of the wireless network that youselected, the same pop-up notifies you of the wireless network connection.