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How To Set Up A Windows XP Dorm Ethernet Connection

NOTE: Before you follow these instructions for creating a networking connection, please take a couple minutes to check the following pieces of hardware.

• First, make sure the network cord fits snug in the wall jack and in the network card itself.
• Second, with your computer on and cord plugged in, check to make sure a green light is lit up on the back of the network card. If you do not see a green light, try switching the cord with a new one.
• Third, make sure the network card has correct drivers loaded. If you do not know how to check your drivers, consult our web page on using the Device Manager

1. Click on Start and highlight All Programs. Scroll up to Accessories and scroll over to Communications and click on the New Connection Wizard.

   

2. This window is the New Connection Wizard. This wizard will help guide you in creating a new Ethernet connection. Click Next to proceed.

   

3. This window allows you to select the network connection type. By default, Connect to the Internet is already chosen for you. Click Next to proceed.

   

4. This window allows you to select how you would like to connect to the Internet. Click the second radio button located to the left of Set up my connection manually and click Next.

   

5. This window allows you to choose how your computer will physically connect to the Internet. Since you are configuring your computer for a dorm network, click Connect using a broadband connection that is always on and click Next

   

6. Click Finish, this will create your connection.
7. Now with your connection created, you must make sure all the settings are correct. Begin by clicking on Start and highlight All Programs. Scroll up to Accessories and scroll over to Communications and click on Network Connections .

   

8. The Network Connections window pops open. Locate the connection that you have just created under the category LAN or High-Speed Internet . Once you have located your connection, right click on the connection and select Properties.

   

9. The Local Area Connection Properties window opens, and the General tab is opened by default. First, make sure your the network card is displayed in the Connect using: box. Second, click Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and click Properties.

   

10. The Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties window allows the user to configure specific network settings. By default, Obtain an IP address automatically is checked and Obtain DNS server address automatically is checked. Keep these default settings and towards the bottom of the window click Advanced.

    

11. The Advanced TCP/IP Settings window opens and the IP Settings tab is opened by default. Make sure the IP addresses category reads DHCP Enabled. Now click the DNS tab.

    

12. With the DNS opened, make sure you UNCHECK Register this connection's addresses in DNS. All other settings stay the same. Next, click the WINS tab.

    

13. Under the WINS tab, make sure Enable LMHOSTS lookup is checked and that Default is checked under the NetBIOS setting. Click OK to save changes and exit Advanced TCP/IP Settings, and click OK to save changes and exit Internet Protocol <TCP/IP> Properties. Now you should be looking at your desktop. Open Internet Explorer and the University of Maryland's Network Registration Page should appear. Follow the instructions to register your jack. Once your jack is registered, you will have full access to the Internet.