Wired and wireless network problems solution in windows xp

Wired and wireless network problems solution in windows xp

This guide is designed to help you identify and fix problems with hard wired (Ethernet) and wireless (Wi-Fi) system connections in Windows. This guide doesn't cover system relationship problems related to specific programs.

You might experience system or Internet access problems in Windows for a number of reasons. Some common problems that can cause these problems are:
  • A wireless network adapter switch that's not enabled
  • WEP, WPA, or WPA2 security key or passphrase issues
  • Cables that aren't connected properly
  • Corrupted or incompatible drivers
  • Missing updates
  • Network connection settings
  • Hardware or software problems

Step 1: Connect to a wireless network in Windows XP

  1. Click Start, click Control Panel, click Network and Internet Connections, and then click Network Connections.
  2. In the left pane, under Network Tasks, click View available wireless networks.

    Note

    • If you don't see the network you want to connect to, click Refresh network list. If you see the network but the signal is weak, move the PC closer to the wireless router. 

  3. Click the network you want to connect to, and then click Connect.
  4. If you're connecting to a secure network, type the security key, and then click OK.

Troubleshoot connection problems

What if I don’t see my wireless network in the list of available networks?

  1. Connect your PC to the network using a network cable, start Internet Explorer, and type the IP address for your wireless router (for example, 192.168.1.1 or 172.16.0.0).
  2. Enter the user name and password to access the router settings. The documentation will contain the default user name and password.
  3. On the wireless router page, look for a Wireless Settings option. Depending on the router manufacturer, this might be a tab, an icon or just an option in a task pane.
  4. On the Wireless Settings page, look for an option to Enable SSID Broadcast or Wireless SSID Broadcast. Click the radio button or place a check in the box to enable this option, then save your router settings.

Note

  • If you can't find the option to enable broadcasting, check the documentation that came with the router or contact the router manufacturer.

How do I connect to a hidden wireless network?

  1. Gather the following information:
    • Network ID (SSID), the name that would normally appear in the list of available networks
    • Security type (WPA, WPA2, WEP, or 802.1X)
    • Encryption type
    • Security key
  2. Click Start, click Control Panel, click Network and Internet Connections, and then click Network Connections.
  3. Right-click Wireless Network Connection, and then click Properties.
  4. Click the Wireless Networks tab, make sure the Use Windows to configure my wireless network settings check box is selected, and then click Add.
  5. Type the network name (SSID), and then select the Connect even if this network is not broadcasting check box.
  6. Select your network authentication type. Select Open for no security or for WEP encryption, or select WPA or WPA2 if applicable.
  7. Select your data encryption type.
  8. Clear the The key is provided for me automatically check box.
  9. Type and confirm your network key (security key or passkey), and then click OK.
  10. Your network should now be listed in Preferred networks list.
  11. Click OK to save the settings.

My wireless connection isn't connected when my PC resumes from sleep or hibernation.

  1. Click Start, click Control Panel, click Network and Internet Connections, and then click Network Connections.
  2. Right-click the wireless network connection that has lost connectivity, and then click Properties.
  3. On the General tab, click Configure.
  4. Click the Advanced tab, click Power Save Mode. If the setting in the Value list is currently anything other than "Off," change it to Off

Where can I find my network security key?

  1. Connect your PC to the router using an Ethernet cable.
  2. Start a web browser and type the IP address for your wireless router into the search bar (for example, 192.168.1.1 or 172.16.0.0). You can find the default IP address in the documentation that came with your router.
  3. Most router documentation contains a default user name and password to access the router settings webpage.
  4. On the router settings webpage, look for a wireless or wireless settings option. Depending on the router manufacturer, this might be a tab, an icon, or an option in a task pane.
  5. On the wireless settings page, look for a security or wireless encryption option.
  6. You might see a security type or encryption type setting. The security key is listed by the selected security type.

Note

  • Different router manufacturers have different settings pages. If you’re having difficulty accessing the router settings, contact the router manufacturer.

Step 2: Check hardware in Windows XP

Many system relationship issues are due to components that isn't set up properly. Here's some information about how to examine your wires, examine or totally reset your device, and examine for issues with your system adaptor.

Check the wireless switch (wireless networks only)

If you’re using a laptop, make sure that the network adapter switch on your laptop is turned on. Many laptops have a physical switch somewhere on the top, front, or side of the laptop that turns the network adapter on or off. There's usually an indicator light on the laptop that shows if the wireless network adapter is enabled.

Make sure all cables are connected properly

Reduce or turned off Ethernet wires, DSL or contacts, telephone cables, USB wires, or power wires can cause system or Internet access issues. Examine all of these relationships to make sure they are properly connected. This area mainly refers to wired systems, but if you're trying to link easily to your own home wireless system, you should look into the device and wiring to the device as described below.

To check DSL Internet connections

  1. Check the phone line that runs from your phone jack to the phone line port on the DSL modem.
  2. Make sure there's no DSL filter between the phone jack and the modem.
  3. Check the Ethernet cable that runs from the Internet connection on the DSL modem to the network adapter on your computer.
  4. Make sure the DSL modem is plugged into a power outlet and the power to the modem is turned on.
  5. To avoid dropped Internet connections, make sure all telephones that are connected to the same line as the DSL modem are connected to a DSL telephone phone line filter.

To check cable Internet connections

  1. Check the coaxial cable that runs from the wall to your cable modem.
  2. Check the Ethernet cable that runs from the cable modem to the network adapter on your computer.
  3. Make sure that the modem is plugged into a power outlet and the power to the modem is turned on.

To check dial-up Internet connections

  1. Check the telephone line that runs from your telephone jack to the telephone port on your computer's modem to make sure the connections are good and the phone line isn’t damaged.
  2. Verify that you're calling the correct number, including any required access numbers (such as 9), and that the number isn't busy.
  3. Make sure call waiting is disabled on your telephone line when you connect to the Internet, so that incoming calls don't disconnect the Internet connection.
  4. Most dial-up modems only work with analog phone lines. Verify that you have analog phone lines installed, or, if you have digital phone lines installed, verify that your computer has a digital modem.

To check USB network adapters

  1. If the modem is attached to the computer by using a USB hub, try to bypass the USB hub by plugging the cable from the modem directly into one of the USB ports on your computer.
  2. If the modem is plugged into one of the ports on the front of a desktop computer, try plugging the USB cable into one of the ports on the back of the computer instead. Some computers don't provide sufficient power to the front USB ports. This can create problems with the connection to the modem.

Check the indicator lights on your modem

 Check the signal lighting on your system or Online access system (this can be either a system, a system and a wi-fi wireless router, or a mixed router-modem device). Most of these gadgets have an indication light that is marked "Broadband link," "Internet," "Online," or something similar that indicates a relationship to the Online. If you're uncertain, make reference to the certification that came with the product.

Reset the modem

  1. Disconnect the cable that connects your computer or router to the modem. This can be either a USB cable or an Ethernet cable.
  2. Turn off the modem using the power switch on the front or back of the modem. If the modem doesn't have a power switch, disconnect the power cord from the back of the modem, or unplug it from the wall.
  3. Wait several minutes, and then turn on the modem and reconnect the cable from the computer or the router to the modem.
  4. Restart the computer.
  5. Test your connection to see whether you can access the Internet.

To reset an internal modem

  • Restart the computer.

Check the network adapter

  1. Click Start, right-click My Computer, and then click Properties.
  2. Click the Hardware tab, and then click Device Manager.
  3. Double-click Network Adapters, and then right-click your network adapter.
  4. Click Properties, and then, under Device status, check to see that the device is working properly.
  5. If the network adapter is disabled, click Enable Device to enable it.

To set the default network adapter

  1. Click Start, click Control Panel, click Network and Internet Connections, and then click Network Connections.
  2. If multiple network adapters are installed, the default adapter will have a check mark and be labeled "Default."
  3. If the correct network adapter is listed as disabled, right-click it, and then click Enable.
  4. If the wrong network adapter is listed as the default device, right-click the correct device, and then click Set Default.
  5. Close the networking window, and then test for a network connection.

Step 3: Use the network troubleshooter in Windows XP

Follow these steps to run the network troubleshooter in Windows XP:
  1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
  2. In the right pane, click Network and Internet Connections.
  3. In the right pane, click Network Connections.
  4. Right-click Local Area Connection, and then click Repair.

Step 4: Update drivers in Windows XP

Here are three ways to find and install a driver:
  • Use Windows Update. You might need to set Windows Update to automatically download and install recommended updates. Installing any important, recommended, and optional updates can update system features and other software that might help to fix your network connection problems.
  • Install software from the device manufacturer. For example, if your computer or network adapter came with a disc, that disc might contain software that installs a driver for the network adapter.
  • Download and install the driver yourself. You can search for a driver on the manufacturer's website. Try this if Windows Update can't find a driver for your network adapter and the adapter didn't come with software that installs a driver.

To install the latest Windows updates, including drivers

  1. Go to the Windows Update website.
  2. Click Custom, and then wait while Windows looks for the latest updates for your computer.
  3. In the left pane, click Hardware, click Optional, and then select any hardware driver updates for your computer.
  4. Click Review and install updates, and then click Install Updates.

Note

  • Restart your computer after installing hardware drivers.

To download and install a driver yourself

To find the manufacturer of your network adapter, follow these steps:
  1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
  2. Click Network and Internet Connections, and then click Network Connections.
  3. Right-click Local Area Connection, and then click Properties.
  4. In the Connect Using section, find the manufacturer and model of your network adapter.
  5. Visit the hardware manufacturer’s website and search for the latest driver. Driver updates are often available in the support section of such websites.
  6. If you find an updated driver, follow the installation instructions on the website. Most drivers are self-installing—after you download them, you usually just double-click the file to begin the installation, and then the driver installs itself on your computer.

Note

  • Restart your computer after installing hardware drivers.
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