Technology Center
Keep Handy Job Aid

HOT SPOT (Unsecured) WIRELESS ACCESS
(Initial Setup – short version)

OVERVIEW

For unsecure access to the Internet

PREREQUISTES

§       Windows XP Professional (with latest patches)

§       Wireless 802.11a, b, or g

PRE-CHECKS

Network cables/cards disconnected.  Laptop booted. Wireless card inserted

WIRELESS INITIAL SETUP

A. Navigating to the Wireless Network Connection Properties

1.      Right-click network icon in system tray of desktop window

If no network icon, continue at NETWORK ICON NOT PRESENT

2.      Select Open Network Connections

Network Connections window opens

3.      Right-click Wireless Network Connection [number] entry, if first option is Enable, click it, otherwise select Properties option

Enable msg shows/closes, if chosen

4.      If you didn’t select Properties option in previous step, do it now

The Wireless Network Connection [number] Properties window opens
 

B. Setting Wireless Network Connection Properties

1.      General Tab

§         Leave connections items as is

§         Checkmark – Show icon in…

2.      Wireless Networks Tab

§         Checkmark – Use windows to…

§         Make a note of any networks on Preferred list

§         Click Advanced button NOT tab

3.      Advanced window

§         Select – Any available network… radio button

§         Click Close button

4.      Click OK to close Wireless Network Connection [number] Prop. Window

Wait up to 1 minute or until balloon message appears

C. Connecting to a Wireless Access Point

Starting from your desktop window:

1.      If balloon msg says, “One or more…”

§       Click the balloon message

§       Continue at step 5

2.      If balloon msg did not appear continue to next step

3.      Right-click wireless network icon

4.      Click View Available Wireless Networks

5.      Wireless Network Connection window

• Select MCC_HOTSPOT network

• Checkmark  - Allow me to connect…

• Click Connect

A balloon msg appears, “…Connected to: MCC_HOTSPOT…”

To login, see “Hot Spot Wireless Access (Login)” article in Knowledge Base

NETWORK ICON NOT PRESENT

1.      Click start à My Computer

      à  My Network Places

      à  View Network Connections

Possible connections display in Network Connections window.

2.      Continue at step 3 in Section A of Wireless Initial Setup