| If you have multiple computers in your home - | | | | Internet Explorer seems to work best for many |
| and multiple people who need internet access, for | | | | computers - and type in the web site address |
| business, school, or social matters - you're | | | | from your router's instructions or documentation. |
| probably tired of the hassle of sharing the one | | | | It will be a string of numbers, and you'll then be |
| computer with internet or if you already have a | | | | prompted for a password which will also be inside |
| wired network and are tired of dealing with wires | | | | the router documentation or sometimes right on |
| running up and down the stairs, across the floor, | | | | the router casing. |
| and through the wall you're definitely a prime | | | | You'll then be shown a screen which is your |
| candidate for a wireless internet network in your | | | | router configuration page. You'll need to configure |
| home! | | | | three things on here: |
| While it may sound like something complicated and | | | | - Add your wireless name, the SSID. Choose a |
| difficult to set up, the truth is that is doesn't take | | | | name that your neighbors wouldn't use, as this will |
| years of technical expertise to get started. Here | | | | be the identifier for your personal wireless |
| are four pain-free steps to follow to set up a | | | | network. |
| wireless network in your home and then enjoy | | | | - Turn on WEP, wireless encryption that will |
| surfing the net on your laptop while relaxing on | | | | protect your network. This is what keeps people |
| the couch! | | | | outside the house from breaking into your |
| 1) Buy Equipment | | | | internet history or hacking passwords to |
| You'll need a wireless router, a Broadband internet | | | | important sites. This needs a password or phrase. |
| connection, and a computer that has either a | | | | - Add an administrative password. This should be |
| wireless network adapter or an internal wireless | | | | a combination of numbers, letters, and symbols - |
| card. Make sure the router box tells you there's a | | | | you'll need to remember it, but it should be |
| built-in firewall - you don't want neighbors stealing | | | | obscure and uncommon. If you have to change |
| your internet, and a firewall also protects you | | | | the router settings at any point, this is the |
| from anyone else gaining access to your internet | | | | password you'll need to get in. |
| history or passwords. | | | | Make sure you hit 'save- after you change the |
| 2) Connect Your Router | | | | settings, or else the configuration will revert to |
| Turn off your DSL or cable modem by unplugging | | | | the default settings. You can now remove the |
| it. Then, connect the wireless router to the | | | | network cable from your computer. |
| modem. | | | | 4) Connect Your Computers |
| Plug the modem back in, and turn it on. Walk | | | | First, download and install Windows XP Service |
| around and do something else for a few minutes | | | | Pack 2. Then, head into your computer and select |
| - the modem will need this time to reconnect to | | | | 'view available wireless networks- after selecting |
| the internet - and then you can plug in and turn | | | | the wireless network icon at the bottom of your |
| on the router. After another minute or two, you | | | | computer screen. You should then see your |
| should see the WAN light come on, letting you | | | | wireless network listed as an available network. |
| know that the router has connected to the | | | | You may have to hit refresh once or twice, but |
| modem. | | | | once it appears, you can select your network and |
| 3) Configure Your Router | | | | hit 'connect'. |
| Your wireless router came with a networking | | | | You'll be prompted to enter your encryption key |
| cable, which you will need to use to connect your | | | | password from earlier, and then you can hit |
| computer or laptop to an open network port | | | | 'connect- again. Windows should show you that it |
| located on the router. This is only temporary, so | | | | is attempting to connect to your wireless |
| don't worry about seeing a wire! | | | | network, and once you're connected - that's it! |
| The router and your computer should connect | | | | Enjoy your wireless internet access. |
| automatically, so open your internet browser - | | | | |