Wireless Card Configuration in Windows XP

Windows XP has built-in drivers for many of the leading 802.11b cards, and allows you to configure your 802.11b card with virtually no manual configuration. The first time you insert an 802.11b card in the laptop, and are in range of an access point, a notification balloon will appear in your Windows XP system tray, as illustrated here:

The "Local Area Connection" notification balloon will also appear anytime you move your computer and wireless card within range of an access point.

To connect to the wireless network:

1. On the desktop, click the "Local Area Connection" balloon
2. On the "Connect to Wireless Network" window, under the list of available networks, select the network you wish to connect to (for example, Wayport_Access)
3. Click "Connect"

Move your mouse pointer over the "Local Area Connection" icon on your system tray. The "Local Area Connection" ballon now displays the name of the network and your signal strength, as shown here: