Managing Wireless Connections with Microsoft Windows XP

This article explains how to use Microsoft Windows XP to join a wireless network and set up wireless security for your NETGEAR wireless adapter.

The NETGEAR Smart Wizard and Microsoft Windows XP

When you install a NETGEAR product, you can choose to use the NETGEAR Smart Wizard or Windows XP to manage your wireless connections.

Choosing the NETGEAR Smart Wizard turns off Windows XP wireless network management. You can turn it back on from the Wireless Networks tab, as explained in the following section of this document.

You can use the Wireless Networks tab in Windows to:

• Turn on or off Windows XP wireless network management.
• Connect to a wireless network and set up wireless security for your wireless adapter.

Turning On or Off the Windows XP Wireless Network Management

1. Go to the Windows Control Panel and select Network Connections.
2. Choose the Wireless Network Connection.
3. Right click, and select Properties.
4. Click the Wireless Networks tab.
5. On the Wireless Networks tab locate the “Use Windows to configure my wireless settings” check box.
   To use Windows XP, select this check box. If it is unchecked, then you can use the
   NETGEAR Smart Wizard for your wireless settings.
6. If you changed the check box, click OK to confirm the change.

Windows XP Joining a Wireless Network

If you want to use Windows XP to manage your wireless connections, the “Use Windows to configure my wireless settings” check box must be selected on the Wireless Networks tab as explained in the above. To join a hidden network, see “Windows XP Joining a Hidden Wireless Network” below.

To join a wireless network using Windows XP:

1. Go to Wireless Network Connection Properties.
   Control Panel > Network Connections > Wireless Network Connection > Right-click
   > View Available Wireless Networks
2. Select a wireless network and click Connect.
3. If the network uses wireless security you are prompted to enter the wireless security
   settings. If you do not want to connect to a secure network you can cancel.

Windows XP Joining a Hidden Wireless Network

Windows XP does not display hidden networks. To join a hidden network you must know that it is available, and you must know the network name (SSID) of the hidden network. The NETGEAR Smart Wizard displays hidden networks on the list of available networks, but the network name (SSID) is blank.

To join a hidden SSID wireless network:

1. Go to Wireless Network Connection Properties.
   Control Panel > Network Connections > Wireless Network Connection > right-click
   > Properties
2. On the Wireless Networks tab select the network and click Add. The Wireless network properties window opens.
3. On the Association tab type the Network name (SSID) and then click OK.
4. In the Wireless Network (Connection) Window click Connect.
5. If the network uses wireless security you are prompted to enter the wireless security settings. If you do not want to connect to a secure network you can cancel.