Configuring your Wireless Connection for Windows and Macintosh

Your computer must have a wireless networking card running the 802.11b (or 802.11b/g) standard that is correctly installed and functioning. See the documentation for your computer or wireless card for installation instructions.

Configuration Instructions for:  Macintosh OS X                Windows XP

Macintosh OS X Wireless Configuration

If your Apple has an AirPort card, you can connect to the wireless network. To check for an Airport card:

  • From the Apple menu, choose About This Mac
  • Click the More Info button
  • Under the Hardware (or Network) arrow in the left pane, click AirPort Card

If AirPort Card is not listed, you do not have an AirPort card properly installed.

  • Close the System Profiler

To connect to a wireless network:

  • Click the AirPort icon in the top-right area of the screen
  • If necessary, select Turn AirPort On
  • Use the AirPort menu again to choose a wireless network

In this example, a wireless network is already selected. If no network is listed, you may be out of range. Give AirPort some time to search for local networks and try again. If the networks listed do not name locations on campus or seem otherwise strange, they may be private wireless networks started by other students, staff, or faculty.

  • You can check AirPort's signal strength by choosing Open Internet Connect from the AirPort menu
  • Check your connection by opening a Web browser and surfing to http://www.depauw.edu/

 

 

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Windows XP Wireless Configuration

If your Windows XP PC or laptop has a correctly installed WLAN, 802.11b or 802.11g wireless adapter, you can connect to the wireless network. Wireless adapters can come with a variety of different names, but you can generally check for a wireless card using the Device manager:

  • Right click on the My Computer icon on the desktop or in the start menu
  • Choose Properties
  • Choose the Hardware tab
  • Click the Device Manager button
  • Click the plus sign labeled "Network adapters" to view installed network adapters

Look for words such as 802.11, mobile, or WLAN

 

To connect to a wireless network:

  • Click the Start> All Programs button
  • Select the Connect To menu
  • Right click Wireless Network Connection

Note: If your Start Menu has been changed from the default, open Control Panel and double click Network Connections.

There you can view the connections shown, including your wireless network connection.

  • Select View Available Wireless Networks

The Wireless Network Connection dialog will display.

  • Select the DePauw wireless network in the list (in this example, it is the DPU_Wireless network)
  • If necessary, check the box labeled "Allow me to connect to the selected wireless network even though it is not secure"
  • Click the Connect button

The Connected to: dialog balloon will display.

You are now connected to the wireless network.

To check the strength of the signal:

  • Double click the connection icon in the system tray (lower right corner of the screen)

Signal strength is represented by the number of visible green bars.

Caution for Windows XP Users Regarding Network Bridging

One of the features of Windows XP is called Network Bridging. A network bridge connects two network adapters (in this case, an ethernet - wired - adapter and a wireless 802.11 adapter) so that one computer can act as a bridge between two networks. However, bridging a wireless connection and an ethernet connection will cause network problems when both adapters are hooked into the DePauw network. Some Windows XP installations may have bridging turned on by default. To check for and remove a network bridge:

  • Open Start> Network Connections to look for a network bridge

Note: If your Start Menu has been changed from the default, open Control Panel and double click Network Connections. There you can view the connections shown, including any network bridges.

Removing a network bridge does not damage your connection to the network. To delete a network bridge:

  • Right click the network bridge icon
  • Choose Delete
  • Confirm the removal by clicking Yes

The removal will take a few moments. Your network connection will automatically be restored.