University of Michigan - Flint

University of Michigan-Flint

Quicknote #65: Configuring Windows XP to Access the Wireless Network

January 2008

Introduction:

This Quicknote is written to assist UM-Flint students, faculty, and staff configuring their computers to access the campus wireless network using Windows XP.

Before You Begin:

This Quicknote assumes that your wireless card is installed and configured according to the specifications provided by the manufacturer.  As you proceed through the steps below, some of the options may vary slightly.  However, we recommend that you make a note of these items in the event of unforeseen problems at a later date. This information might be valuable to the ITS HelpDesk consultant assisting you.

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Locating Your Ethernet MAC Address:

Internal Wireless Card

  1. Click on the Start button.
  2. Select Run.
  3. Type command in the run box and strike the Enter key.
  4. At the MS-DOS prompt type ipconfig /all then strike the Enter key.
  5. Look for the text: Ethernet Adaptor Wireless Network Connection.
  6. Under this heading you will see your computers Physical Address this is your MAC address.   It will look something like this 44-45-53-54-00-00.  Write down the MAC address; you’ll need to register it in the next step.

External Wireless Card

You are able to find your MAC address simply by looking on the bottom of the wireless card.  Write down the MAC address; you’ll need to register it in the next step.

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How to Register Your MAC Address:

For Students

  1. Login to SIS at www.umflint.edu/sis.
  2. Click on the link to Personal Information.
  3. Click on the link to My Campus Computer Account.
  4. Click on link to Register Wireless Device.
  5. Enter the MAC Address where prompted.
  6. Check the box stating you agree with the user agreement.

For Faculty

  1. Login to SIS at www.umflint.edu/sis.
  2. Click on the link to Personal Information.
  3. Click on the link to My Campus Computer Account.
  4. Click on link to Register Wireless Device.
  5. Enter the MAC Address where prompted.
  6. Check the box stating you agree with the user agreement.

Note: Faculty members can register up to 3 wireless devices at a given time.

For Staff

If you have an SIS account, please follow the directions for Faculty & Students. If you do not have an SIS account, in order to register your MAC address, you will have to contact the HelpDesk and place a work ticket.

 

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Configuring Your Computer:

If your options in your Control Panel vary from the ones below you will want to switch your view from the Classic View to Category View.

  1. Click on your Start button.
  2. Select Control Panel.
  3. Double-click on Network and Internet Connections.
  4. Double-click on Network Connection.
  5. In the Connect to Wireless Network window, click on the Advanced button in the bottom left corner of the window.
  6. On the Wireless Networks tab, click the Add button under Preferred Networks section.
  7. Under Network Name (SSID): enter UMF_BASIC*.
  8. Under Data encryption, make sure disabled is selected.
  9. Do not click any boxes and click Ok.
  10. Click OK again.
  11. Open Internet Explorer.
  12. Click the Tools menu.
  13. Click Internet Options.
  14. Click the Connections tab.
  15. Click the LAN Settings button.
  16. Check the box that says “Automatically Detect Settings”.  Click OK.
  17. Click OK again.
  18. Close and Reopen Internet Explorer.
  19. You will be prompted with a login box, please type in your email address as the username and your LAN password.

Your computer should now automatically connect to the wireless network; if it does not, right-click on Network Icon and chose connect.

*UMF_BASIC is the SSID for the wireless network in all buildings on campus EXCEPT for the Theatre and the William S. White Building.  In these two buildings 80211net is still the SSID for the network.  If you are setting your laptop up for the wireless please use the SSID that is appropriate for your current location. 

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Additional Things to Look for that Could Be Blocking the Connection:

  1. Disable Norton, TrenMicro PC Cillin or other firewalls or just unblock ports 80 and 8080 in the firewall settings.
  2. Sometimes AOL, Google, and Yahoo Toolbar sometimes need to be uninstalled.
  3. Make sure the computer does not have a static IP.

For Windows XP, do the following:

  1. Go to Control Panel
  2. Network Connections
  3. Right-click on Wireless Network Connection
  4. Click on Properties
  5. On the Networking Tab, click on Internet Protocol Version, and click on Properties
  6. Make sure it says “Obtain an IP address automatically” on both tabs that are in the new window
  7. If the laptop is Toshiba, uninstall Toshiba ConfigFree program from the Control Panel.

In order to be able to connect in the all buildings, manually add UMF_BASIC and 80211net to the list of wireless networks. Make sure they connect automatically and even when they are not broadcasting.

Now, that you have configured your wireless card you are ready to access the services, see Quicknote #15.

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Additional Resources:

Please visit the Wireless support page at http://www.umflint.edu/its/helpdesk/support_centers/wireless.htm

ITS Quicknotes are available in the Student Computer Lab in 206 MSB, at the ITS HelpDesk in 207A MSB or on-line at http://www.umflint.edu/its/helpdesk.htm.  

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This documentation is maintained by the ITS HelpDesk a division of Information Technology Services at The University of Michigan-Flint.

ITSHelpDesk@umflint.edu ¨ 810.766.6804

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