Microsoft MN720 User Manual

www.microsoft.com/broadbandnetworking

0703 Part No. X09-47000-02

Caution

For use with UL Listed, CSA and GS approved personal computers.

Not intended for use in machinery, medical or industrial applications.

Do not use onboard an aircraft or in hazardous locations such as a gas station or other explosive environment.

For indoor use only.

Do not touch or re-orient the antenna while the device is transmitting

This device has been tested for compliance with FCC RF Exposure (SAR) limits in the typical laptop computer configuration and this device can be used in desktop or laptop computers with side mounted PCMCIA slots. The antennas used with this transmitter must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter within the host device.

Avertissement

N’utilisez qu’avec des composantes homologuées UL, CSA ou TUV.

Ne pas utiliser ce dispositif dans une application industrielle ou médicale.

Ne pas utiliser dans un avion ou en présence de vapeur explosive (station-service).

N’utiliser qu’à l’intérieur.

Ne touchez pas à l’antenne lorsque l’appareil est en fonction

Ce dispositif radio a été évalué pour son débit d’absorption spécifique (DAS) et respecte les limites d’exposition RF des personnes, telles que spécifiées dans la procédure CNR 102 lorsque utilisé dans le port PCMCIA d’un ordinateur portable ou de table. Les antennes de ce dispositif transmetteur ne doivent ni être copositionnées ou ni utilisées en conjonction avec quelque autre antenne ou transmetteur faisant partie de l’ordinateur hôte.

Information in this document, including URL and other Internet Web site references, is subject to change without notice. Unless otherwise noted, the example companies, organizations, products, domain names, e-mail addresses, logos, people, places, and events depicted herein are fictitious, and no association with any real company, organization, product, domain name, e-mail address, logo, person, place, or event is intended or should be inferred. Complying with all applicable copyright laws is the responsibility of the user. Without limiting the rights under copyright, no part of this document may be reproduced, stored in, or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise), or for any purpose, without the express written permission of Microsoft Corporation.

Microsoft may have patents, patent applications, trademarks, copyrights, or other intellectual property rights covering subject matter in this document. Except as expressly provided in any written license agreement from Microsoft, the furnishing of this document does not give you any license to these patents, trademarks, copyrights, or other intellectual property.

© 2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. UPnP is a trademark of UPnP Implementers Corp. Wi-Fi is a registered trademark and Wi-Fi Protected Access is a

trademark of Wi-Fi Alliance. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

My Network Settings

Use this page to record your network settings.

Workgroup or domain name: ______________________________________

Base Station password: __________________________________________

(Default=admin)

Wireless Settings

Record the information used to configure a computer for wireless access to your network here. All computers accessing your network with a wireless connection need to use the same wireless settings.

Wireless network name (SSID): ____________________________________

WEP key or WPA passphrase: ______________________________________

Wireless channel (ad-hoc networks only): ____________________________

Wide Area Network Settings

Complete this section only if your network has a base station (gateway or router). You can obtain this information from your Internet service provider (ISP). Your ISP may not require all of the settings listed below.

Dynamic IP (DHCP) Settings

Complete this section only if your ISP uses a DHCP connection.

Host name: _____________________________________________________

Adapter MAC address: ____________________________________________

Static IP Address Settings

Complete this section only if your ISP has assigned you a specific IP address.

Static IP address: ________________________________________________

Subnet mask: ___________________________________________________

IP gateway address: ______________________________________________

Primary DNS server: ______________________________________________

Secondary DNS server: ___________________________________________

PPPoE Settings

Complete this section only if your ISP uses PPPoE.

User name: _____________________________________________________

Password: ______________________________________________________

Service name: ___________________________________________________

contents

1 | Introduction: Welcome to Wireless-G..................................................................................1

About Your Wireless Notebook Adapter........................................................................1

Adapter Status Lights..................................................................................................2

CardBus Technology ...................................................................................................2

About Wireless (Radio) Connections.............................................................................3

Types of Wireless Networks........................................................................................ 3

Placement of Wireless Components..........................................................................4

Understanding Wireless Transmission Standards....................................................5

2 | Setup: Using the Setup Wizard .............................................................................................7

Step 1: Gather Components, Tools, and Information ...............................................7

Step 2: Run the Setup Wizard .................................................................................... 8

Step 3: Insert the Adapter into Your Computer.........................................................8

Step 4: Configure the Adapter.................................................................................... 9

Step 5: Test Your Network Connections .................................................................... 9

3 | Network Activities: Sharing Resources and Joining Other Networks ..........................11

Logging on to Your Network.........................................................................................12

Using an Internet Connection over a Network............................................................13

Using the Broadband Network Utility ..........................................................................13

Using Files and Folders over a Network......................................................................14

Step 1: Make your files and folders available to the network................................15

Step 2: Access shared files ......................................................................................16

Using a Printer over a Network....................................................................................17

Using Other Peripheral Devices over a Network.........................................................18

About Reading E-Mail Messages on a Network..........................................................18

Playing Games on Your Network and on the Internet ................................................18

Creating a Computer-to-Computer (Ad Hoc) Network ................................................19

Joining an Available Wireless Network........................................................................20

4 | Network Management: Understanding Network Maintenance and Security............. 21

Monitoring Your Network .............................................................................................21

View Status................................................................................................................21

View Network Devices...............................................................................................21

View Adapter Settings...............................................................................................22

Updating Software ........................................................................................................22

0703 Part No. X09-47000-02

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Making Your Network More Secure ............................................................................ 22

Help Protect Your Network from Computer Viruses ...............................................22

Help Protect Your Network from Hackers ...............................................................23

Help Protect Your Network from Unauthorized Access.......................................... 23

5 | Troubleshooting: Finding Answers to Common Problems............................................ 25

Setup and Hardware Problems................................................................................... 25

The Setup Wizard will not start or locks up when I run it on my computer........... 25

Setup does not recognize my wireless notebook adapter..................................... 26

Network and Internet Problems.................................................................................. 26

I can’t stay connected to my wireless network....................................................... 26

I can’t access the Internet from a computer on my wireless network. ................. 27

My network is slow. .................................................................................................. 28

I am having problems running a networked program or multiplayer game

on my network or the Internet. ................................................................................29

Printing and File Sharing Problems ............................................................................ 31

I can’t print to a networked printer.......................................................................... 31

I cannot access a shared file or folder from a computer on my network. ............32

I can open shared files or folders, but cannot write to or delete them................. 34

I can only access shared resources from certain computers or

user accounts on my network.................................................................................. 35

Appendix A: Locating Your Internet and Network Settings.......................................... 37

Internet Connection Type ............................................................................................37

General Internet Settings ............................................................................................38

Dynamic IP (DHCP) Settings........................................................................................ 38

Host name................................................................................................................. 38

MAC Address............................................................................................................. 38

Static IP Settings.......................................................................................................... 39

PPPoE Settings............................................................................................................. 40

Workgroup Name ......................................................................................................... 40

Wireless Network Name ..............................................................................................41

Wireless Security Settings........................................................................................... 41

Appendix B: Support and Technical Information........................................................... 42

Getting Help.................................................................................................................. 42

Visit Us on the Web................................................................................................... 42

Click Help in the Broadband Network Utility........................................................... 42

Technical Support Options....................................................................................... 42

Regulatory Information................................................................................................ 43

United States Radio and TV Interference Regulations........................................... 43

Canadian Radiocommunication Regulations ......................................................... 43

ii Microsoft Broadband Networking Wireless Notebook Adapter User’s Guide

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Technical Specifications ..............................................................................................44

System Requirements..................................................................................................45

End-User License Agreement.......................................................................................46

Limited Warranty ..........................................................................................................48

Glossary................................................................................................................................. 53

Index ......................................................................................................................................59

Contents iii

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introduction

Welcome to Wireless-G

Thank you for purchasing the Microsoft® Broadband Networking Wireless Notebook Adapter. This wireless adapter is up to five times faster than 802.11b adapters. You can use your adapter to add a computer to a new or existing wireless network. This chapter describes your wireless adapter and explains wireless (radio) connections.

Note For more information about 802.11g, see “Understanding Wireless Transmission Standards” later in this chapter.

About Your Wireless Notebook Adapter

Your wireless adapter comes with a Setup CD, User’s Guide, and Start Here guide, as shown in the following illustration.

Setup CD

Install This First!

The Microsoft Wireless Notebook Adapter fits into a CardBus PC Card slot on a laptop or other computer. The adapter contains two status lights and two internal antennas.

Wireless light

Power light

User's Guide and

Start Here Guide

Wireless Notebook Adapter

(MN-720)

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Adapter Status Lights

The following table describes the behavior of the adapter’s two status lights.

When the Power light is…

On On

On Blinking quickly

And the Wireless light is…

This means…

The adapter has established communication with a wireless network.

Data is being sent or received wirelessly.

On Blinking slowly

The adapter is trying to establish communication with a wireless network.

Off Off

The adapter is not receiving power, is not recognized by Microsoft Windows

, or is disabled.

CardBus Technology

The Microsoft Wireless Notebook Adapter uses new CardBus technology. CardBus PC Cards look like earlier PC Cards (16-bit PC Cards), but CardBus PC Cards support faster data transfer and use less power. CardBus PC Cards work only on computers that have CardBus PC Card slots.

Warning You can damage your CardBus adapter by inserting it into a PC Card slot that supports only high-powered 16-bit PC Cards. Do not force your adapter into a PC Card slot if it doesn’t fit.

Make sure that your computer has a CardBus PC Card slot by following one of these procedures, depending on your version of the Microsoft Windows operating system:

Windows XP or Windows 2000

1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.

2. Double-click System and then click the Hardware tab.

3. Click Device Manager.

4. Click the plus sign to expand the PCMCIA Adapters item.

If CardBus is supported, it will be listed here. If you see only references to PC Card, CardBus is not supported.

Windows 98, Windows 98 SE, and Windows Me

1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.

2. Double-click System. If you don’t see the System option in Control Panel, click the View All Control Panel

Options link in the left pane.

2 Microsoft Broadband Networking Wireless Notebook Adapter User’s Guide

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3. Click the Device Manager tab.

4. Click the plus sign to expand the PCMCIA Adapters item.

If CardBus is supported, it will be listed here. If you see only references to PC Card, CardBus is not supported.

About Wireless (Radio) Connections

Your adapter communicates by radio transmission. Radio waves travel in all directions, and can be transmitted through walls and floors. This section on wireless connections explains wireless network types and provides important information about wireless performance.

Types of Wireless Networks

There are two types of wireless networks: infrastructure and ad hoc. In an infrastructure network, a wireless adapter connects to a wireless network

through a central wireless access point, gateway, or router, such as a Microsoft Wireless Base Station. This type of network is often used when a broadband Internet connection will be shared among computers, or when there are more than two computers or devices on a wireless network. The following illustration shows an infrastructure network.

Active Internet Connection

Broadband Modem

Wireless Base Station

Ethernet Connection

First Computer Second Computer

Chapter 1: Introduction 3

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In an ad hoc network, a wireless adapter connects directly to wireless adapters that are installed in other computers. This type of network is often used when only two computers or devices are being connected, when a broadband Internet connection will not be shared, or when the connection to another computer is intended to be temporary. The following illustration shows an ad hoc network.

First computer

Second computer

You can use the same adapter to join different networks (and different types of networks) at different times. For example, you might use your adapter to connect to an infrastructure network at home most of the time, but occasionally, you might use your adapter to set up a temporary ad hoc network to share files with a colleague when you travel together on business.

The Microsoft wireless notebook adapter is very versatile. You can use it to join a network that has a non-Microsoft router, gateway, or wireless access point. You can also establish ad hoc connections to non-Microsoft adapters. When joining these types of networks, you might need to choose or enter some wireless network settings manually.

Placement of Wireless Components

The following placement recommendations will help you achieve the best wireless range, coverage, security, and connection speed from your wireless devices:

Place wireless components in direct line of sight to one another, if possible.

If you notice poor signal strength on your notebook adapter, try moving your laptop computer by just a few inches in any direction. Because of the way in which radio waves travel, small areas within the network range sometimes receive poor coverage.

Place wireless components on desks or shelves when possible (instead of on the floor) to avoid obstacles and achieve better reception on the upper stories of buildings.

Avoid placing wireless components in a way such that large, solid objects block the direct path between them. Building components, such as fireplaces, concrete or masonry walls and floors, metal framing, UV window film, and metallic paint will reduce radio signal strength.

4 Microsoft Broadband Networking Wireless Notebook Adapter User’s Guide

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Avoid placing wireless components next to large metal objects such as computer cases, monitors, and appliances. Metal objects reduce signal strength.

Avoid placing wireless components close to electromagnetic devices, especially those with frequencies in the 2.4-gigahertz (GHz) range. Devices such as cordless phones, microwave ovens, radios, and televisions can interfere with wireless transmission.

If you notice poor connection speed in an area, try moving your wireless components closer together. Connection speeds will be slower if your wireless components are very far apart from each other on the network.

Be aware that wireless signal range, speed, and strength can be affected by interference from neighboring wireless networks and devices.

Understanding Wireless Transmission Standards

802.11 is a series of wireless transmission standards developed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) for wireless local area networks. Currently, four specifications make up the 802.11 series: 802.11, 802.11a, 802.11b, and

802.11g. Your Microsoft Wireless Notebook Adapter conforms to the latest specification, 802.11g. The main features that distinguish these specifications are connection speed and radio frequency.

The following table summarizes the four specifications in the 802.11 series.

Specification Connection speed Radio frequency band

802.11 1 or 2 megabits per second (Mbps) 2.4 GHz

802.11a Up to 54 Mbps 5 GHz

802.11b 5.5 and 11 Mbps 2.4 GHz

802.11g Up to 54 Mbps 2.4 GHz

Note The benefit of the 2.4-GHz radio frequency band is that it allows for greater range

than the 5-GHz band. The drawback is that it is susceptible to interference from other devices such as 2.4-GHz cordless telephones.

Because 802.11b and 802.11g use the same radio frequency band, your 802.11g adapter is compatible with 802.11b devices. However, when you transfer data between 802.11b and 802.11g devices, the connection speed is limited to the

802.11b maximum of 11 Mbps.

Note Your Microsoft Wireless adapter is not compatible with 802.11a-only devices.

Chapter 1: Introduction 5

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setup

Using the Setup Wizard

This chapter will guide you through the setup process for your Microsoft® Broadband Networking Wireless Notebook Adapter. To set up your adapter, you need a computer that:

Is running Microsoft Windows® XP, Windows Millennium Edition, Windows 2000 Professional, Windows 98, or Windows 98 SE operating system.

Has an available PC Card slot that supports CardBus PC Cards.

The steps in this chapter correspond to the steps that you will go through in the wizard on the Setup CD.

Note If you don’t want to use the Setup Wizard to set up your adapter, and you have Windows XP, it is possible to set up your adapter by using the Add Hardware Wizard and the Wireless Network Connection utility in Windows. However, using the Setup Wizard is recommended because the Setup Wizard installs the network utility software and configures your wireless network settings.

Step 1: Gather Components, Tools, and Information

1. Take the following items to the computer that you want to add to the network:

Setup and Network Utility CD

Microsoft Wireless Adapter

This User’s Guide

The floppy disk, file, printout, or written record of network settings that you created when setting up your wireless network. (If you didn’t set up the network that you want to join, ask your network administrator for the settings. If you set up the network, but don’t have a saved copy of your network settings, see Appendix A, “Locating Your Internet and Network Settings.”)

Installation CD for your Windows operating system if your computer is running Windows Me, Windows 98, or Windows 98 SE.

Note You can use the Setup and Network Utility CD (v.2.0) that comes with this adapter to install all current and previous versions of Microsoft Broadband Networking products. If you have other Microsoft Broadband Networking products on your network, you do not need to keep multiple copies of this CD and you can discard earlier versions of this CD.

2. If your computer is running Windows XP or Windows 2000, log on as a member of the Administrator group. If you are not logged on as an administrator, click Start, click Log Off, and then press CTRL+ALT+DELETE. Log on again with an administrator’s name and password.

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3. If you are setting up an adapter on a computer that is already connected to a

network over Ethernet, disconnect your computer from the network.

Note After you set up the wireless adapter, you can still return to using the Ethernet connection (instead of the wireless connection) at times if you want to. For some tasks that you might perform on your network, using an Ethernet connection may increase the data transfer rate. However, if you switch to an Ethernet connection, you will typically not notice an increase in speed when you access the Internet over your broadband connection.

Step 2: Run the Setup Wizard

1. Insert the Setup CD into your CD drive. If the Setup Wizard does not start

automatically after a few seconds, open My Computer, double-click the CD icon, and then double-click Setup or Setup.exe.

Note During setup, you may be prompted to restart your computer or insert your Windows operating system CD. You may also need to specify the location of the required setup files on the Windows CD. Do this by typing the drive letter of your CD drive and the appropriate directory (for example, D:\win98).

2. On the first screen that appears, click Set Up a Product.

The wizard will detect any components that are missing on your computer and specify which of these components are required for setup and which are optional.

3. Continue following the instructions in the wizard to install missing components (as

necessary).

4. When the wizard asks whether you are setting up a base station or an adapter, click Network adapter.

5. When the wizard asks which network adapter you are setting up, click Wireless-G Notebook Adapter (MN-720, MN-820).

6. Continue following the instructions in the Setup Wizard. If you have a question, click

a Help link on the screen for more information. If you need to cancel setup before it is complete, you can rerun the wizard. When

the Setup Wizard restarts, click Set Up a Product.

Step 3: Insert the Adapter into Your Computer

When the Setup Wizard prompts you to connect your wireless adapter, insert it into the PC Card slot on your computer.

Note Leave your computer turned on while you insert your adapter.

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Step 4: Configure the Adapter

1. Continue following the instructions in the Setup Wizard.

2. When the wizard asks what type of network you have, select the option that best

describes the network that you want to join.

Important If you want to share a broadband Internet connection on your network, it is recommended that you set up a network that uses a base station, gateway, or router. If you choose to not set up a base station on your network, you should set up security features on the computer that is sharing the Internet connection. If you have Windows XP, you can use Internet Connection Firewall to help provide such security. If you don’t have Windows XP, be sure to use other measures to help provide a security layer between your network and the Internet. For more information about security, see “Making Your Network More Secure” in Chapter 4.

3. If you are connecting to a network with a base station, gateway, or router, the

wizard will prompt you for your wireless network settings. If you want to join an adhoc network, see “Joining an Available Wireless Network” in Chapter 3.

Note For more information about network types, see “Types of Wireless Networks” in Chapter 1.

4. The wizard will help you set up your computer for file and printer sharing.

If your computer is a member of a domain—for example, if you have a laptop that is on a domain at work, and you want to connect it to your home network—the Setup Wizard will detect this and skip the file and printer sharing part of setup. For information about switching between a workgroup and a domain, see Broadband Network Utility Help.

5. When you reach the end of the Setup Wizard, click Finish to exit the wizard. The

Broadband Network Utility starts automatically.

6. Remove the Setup CD from the CD drive and the floppy disk (if used) from the floppy

disk drive. Keep the CD and the floppy disk to set up additional Microsoft Broadband Networking products on your network.

Step 5: Test Your Network Connections

1. View the status of your network in the Broadband Network Utility. Make sure that

the other computers on your network appear under Network Devices. For more information about using the Broadband Network Utility, see Chapter 3.

2. If you are sharing an Internet connection on your network, test your Internet

connection by opening your Web browser and visiting a Web site, such as www.microsoft.com.

Chapter 2: Setup 9

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network activities

Sharing Resources and Joining Other Networks

After setting up your wireless network, you can perform common network tasks, such as making files and printers available to other computers (a process called “sharing”), and then accessing these shared resources. You can also use the same Internet connection from multiple computers on your network.

This chapter describes how to:

Log on to your network.

Use the same Internet connection from multiple computers on your network.

Start the Broadband Network Utility (to view shared resources, join other networks, and access Help to troubleshoot problems).

Share files and folders from one computer and then access them from other computers.

Share a printer that is connected to one computer and then print to it from other computers.

Make other peripheral devices available to computers on your network.

Read e-mail messages on your network.

Play games on your network and on the Internet.

Create a computer-to-computer (ad hoc) network.

Join an available wireless network.

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Logging on to Your Network

After starting your computer, you must always log on to your network to access files, printers, and other resources that have been shared.

If you have Microsoft do not click Cancel during the logon process, even if you decide to leave your password blank. Type your user name, type your password (or leave it blank), and then click OK.

If you are already using Windows, and you haven’t yet logged on to your network, you can log off from Windows and then log back on.

To log off and log back on to your network

1. Click Start.

2. Click Log Off. (If Log Off does not appear on your Start menu, click Shut Down, make sure that Log Off is selected in the drop-down box, and then click OK.)

3. Log on to your network.

After you log on to your network, you can perform certain network functions, such as opening shared files.

Windows® 98 or Windows Millennium Edition operating system,

Do not

click Cancel

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Using an Internet Connection over a Network

If you have the Microsoft Broadband Networking Wireless Base Station and a broadband connection to the Internet, the other computers on your network can share the original Internet connection. Internet sharing is automatically configured by the Setup Wizard when you install the base station.

If you do not have a base station, you can configure one of your computers to share its broadband or dial-up Internet connection, provided that the computer is running Microsoft Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows Millennium Edition, or Windows 98 Second Edition. These versions of Windows include a feature called Internet Connection Sharing, which allows multiple computers on a network to use the same Internet connection, even at the same time. For information about setting up Internet Connection Sharing, look up “Internet Connection Sharing” in Windows Help.

Important Before you share an Internet connection, check with your Internet service provider about its policy regarding Internet connection sharing.

If you use Internet Connection Sharing, you must leave the computer with the Internet connection turned on for the other computers on the network to access the Internet. You will continue to access the Internet from each computer the way you normally do, for example, by using your Web browser. To browse the Web, each computer must have a Web browser (such as Microsoft Internet Explorer) installed.

Although you aren’t likely to notice a difference in speed, sharing a broadband Internet connection with other computers on your network makes the Internet connection slightly slower for each person. Sharing a dial-up Internet connection has a more noticeable impact on speed.

Important If you use Internet Connection Sharing, you should take measures to provide a security layer between your network and the Internet. If the computer with the shared Internet connection is running Windows XP, you can use Internet Connection Firewall to help provide such security. If the computer with the shared Internet connection is running an earlier version of the Windows operating system, we recommend using security software on this computer.

Using the Broadband Network Utility

The Microsoft Broadband Network Utility is automatically installed on your computer when you run the Setup Wizard. You can use the Broadband Network Utility to view other computers on the network, access shared files on those computers, and join other wireless networks.

The Help system in the Broadband Network Utility provides additional information about Microsoft Broadband Networking products, using the Broadband Network Utility, performing common tasks on your network, and troubleshooting network problems. The Help system, the Network Troubleshooter, and Web Help are all available on the Help menu.

Note For information about using the Broadband Network Utility to change wireless

settings or update software, see Broadband Network Utility Help.

Chapter 3: Network Activities 13

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To start the Broadband Network Utility

Click Start, point to Programs, and then click Microsoft Broadband Network Utility.

-or-

Double-click the Broadband Network Utility icon in the notification area at the far right of the Windows taskbar.

Information about your computer

Information about your network

The Internet connection status of your computer

A list of other computers that are connected to your network

The right pane of the Broadband Network Utility displays information about the computers connected to your network. This information automatically refreshes at regularly scheduled intervals. You can also manually refresh the list.

Note To see the full computer name and Internet protocol (IP) address of a computer in

the Network Devices list, hold the mouse pointer over the computer in the list.

To refresh the Network Devices list

Right-click the icon for an active device, and then click Refresh.

To remove an inactive device from the Network Devices list

Right-click the dimmed icon for the device, and then click Remove from List.

In the sections that follow you will read about how to use the Broadband Network Utility to access shared files on network computers and to join other networks.

Using Files and Folders over a Network

This section explains how you can make files and folders available on one computer (a process called “file and folder sharing”) and then access those files and folders from other computers on your network.

To make using files and folders over a network easy, you should assign all computers on your network to the same workgroup if you haven’t done so already. For information about how to do this, look up “workgroup” in Windows Help.

Important Do not assign a computer (such as a work laptop) to your workgroup if

the computer is already a member of a domain, and you intend to reconnect to the domain later.

14 Microsoft Broadband Networking Wireless Notebook Adapter User’s Guide

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Step 1: Make your files and folders available to the network

You may have set up file sharing on your computers when you set up the base station and adapter. If you did not set up file sharing when you set up your hardware, you can enable it by using the Windows operating system. You can also use Windows to change or further refine the settings you selected during Setup. For more detailed instructions and information about sharing files and folders, see Windows Help.

Note If you have Windows 2000 or Windows XP, you need to have sufficient privileges (or

be the network administrator) to share folders with others. For more information, look up “administrator” in Windows Help.

File and folder sharing is configured from the computer that contains the files and folders you wish to share. You can share an entire drive with the network, or you can share specific folders. For example, if you store photographs of your children in a folder named “Kids” on your computer, and you want to make the photographs available to your network, you can choose to share only the Kids folder.

Important Although you can share files, printers, and other devices on your network, you cannot share software programs, such as Microsoft Word or Microsoft Excel.

To share a folder or drive on your computer (in Windows XP)

1. Enable file sharing on your computer if you have not already done so. You need to

do this only once. For information about how to enable file sharing, see Windows Help.

2. Open My Computer.

3. Browse to the drive or folder that you want to make available to other computers on

your network, and then select it.

4. On the File menu, click Sharing and Security.

5. Click Share this folder on the network. By default, the folder is made available to

all of the other computers on your network, and everyone has read-only access. To give everyone read-write access, check the Allow Network Users to Change My

Files check box.

6. Click OK.

To share a folder or drive on your computer (in Windows 2000)

1. Enable file sharing on your computer if you have not already done so. You need to

do this only once. For information about how to enable file sharing, see Windows Help.

2. Open My Computer.

3. Browse to the drive or folder that you want to make available to other computers on

your network, and then select it.

4. On the File menu, click Sharing.

5. Click Share this folder. By default, the folder is made available to all of the other

computers on your network, and everyone has read-write access. To change the access level, click Permissions.

6. Click OK.

Chapter 3: Network Activities 15

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