Computing Center

Installing an Ethernet Card Under Windows XP Professional

v 1.6 Saturday, August 26, 2006 11:38:20 PM

Introduction

In order to be directly connected to the dormitory network, a Windows XP computer needs an Ethernet card installed inside of it. A cable connects the jack on the back of the Ethernet card to the network jack in the wall of your dorm room. This is how the physical connection between the dormitory network and your PC is made.

"Installing an Ethernet card" consists of two parts: first, sticking the card inside your computer (or into the PCMCIA slot on the side of your laptop), and second, configuring Windows XP to get it to communicate appropriately with the card. This document covers both aspects of installation.

If you already have a Windows XP computer in your possession, then one of several conditions will pertain:

  1. Your Windows XP computer was purchased with the Ethernet card was already installed and configured. All you have to do is boot your machine, and go to the next to the last section of this document, entitled "Next Steps".
  2. You have an Ethernet card, but it is not installed in the machine. This document can help you, too.
  3. There is an Ethernet card inside your machine, but you aren't sure that Windows XP has been configured properly for it. In this case, just skip the section below entitled "Sticking the Card Inside Your Computer", and go right to "Configuring Windows XP".
  4. You have Windows XP, but no Ethernet card. In this case, please proceed to Mather Bookstore, which sells Ethernet cards.  If you are unsure which model to buy, contact the Student Help Desk at x2007 (LITC level B), and they'll be happy to help you! Then return to this document.

The Computing Center supports the use of 3COM and Farallon Etherwave Ethernet cards for use on the dormitory network. Support for other brands of Ethernet cards is strictly limited. We cannot guarantee the ability of any other cards to function on the network. When basic suggestions fail, holders of these other cards will be instructed to purchase a supported network card. Contact the Student Help Desk (x2007 in LITC level B) if you have any questions about ethernet cards or are having problems configuring your computer for the network.

Follow the steps below if you need to begin by installing the card in your machine. If the card is already installed and the software supporting it (the "drivers") are installed, skip down to the section below entitled "Testing". Remember, if you need help at any point, call extension 2007, the Student Help Desk.

Sticking the Card Inside Your Computer

Installing the card isn't very difficult. Begin by reading the manual that came with your computer. Look for the section about installing expansion (or "option") cards. It will tell you how to open the case on desktop machines. Next, consult the manual that came with the Ethernet card. It will explain how to install it securely into the machine. There are so many different makes and models of computers, that this document can't be definitive about these steps. But for this "mechanical" part of the installation, this document will provide a generic outline that will help keep you on course.

Installing the Network Card in a Laptop

The Ethernet card for a laptop is about the size of a credit card, but thicker. It fits into the "PCMCIA" slot (also called a PC Card slot) on the side of the machine. Another adapter is often supplied with the card, and connects the twisted pair network cable into the side of the card.

Installing these cards is very simple. However, because there are so many different makes and models of laptops, and because the PCMCIA cards do vary, you should install the card in your machine according the instructions provided by the laptop and card manufacturers. The general principles, though, are pretty straightforward:

  1. Find the PCMCIA slot on the side of your laptop. This can be the hardest part! They are often concealed by little drop-down doors, and other dust-defeating devices.
  2. Slide the card in, label side up, taking care to stay on the "tracks" provided in the slot.
  3. Push the card gently but firmly all the way in.

On most Windows XP-equipped laptops, you can actually install or remove a PCMCIA card while the laptop is running! Check your owners manual to confirm this. On many laptops, Windows will beep when it recognizes that a card has been inserted into the PCMCIA slot. Another general rule is that you can leave the card installed in your machine, even when you're not using the network. No need to keep sticking it in and out!

Once the PCMCIA Ethernet card is installed, proceed to Configuring Windows XP, below.

Installing the Network Card in a Desktop Computer

We STRONGLY recommend consulting your computer's Owner's Manual before and during installation of your Ethernet card. The following instructions describe a typical series of steps for card installation and provide only a general guidance. However, these instructions may suffice for those of you who have misplaced your manuals.

  1. Discharge static - Touch the metal chassis of the computer to discharge any static electricity that might have built up on your body (from wool sweaters, carpets, blankets, etc.). You may have to reach around back of the computer, or underneath to find a major part of the chassis that isn't plastic. During this entire procedure, be careful not to rub your feet on the carpet, or do other things that create static electricity. Static electricity won't harm you, but it can be detrimental to your computer and your Ethernet card.
  2. Unplug - Unplug the power cord from your computer. (We didn't do this before the first step, because the ground connection of the AC cord helps dissipate static electricity.)
  3. Open the case - Open the computer's case. Most frequently, this is done by removing screws at the rear of the case, and sliding the lid forward.
  4. Locate a slot - Find an open expansion slot at the rear of your machine. It should have enough room to accept the full length of the Ethernet card.
  5. Unplug - Remove the small vertical access panel that corresponds to the expansion slot you've selected, so when the card is installed, it's jack can be reached from the outside of the computer. Again, your computer's manual will have details on this. You may need to snap off a small plastic coverlet, and unfasten a screw that holds a small metal plate in place.
  6. Slide the card in - Carefully remove the Ethernet card from its static-proof plastic envelope, and slide it into the slot. Beware of the following:
    • The computer may have a plastic guide at either or both ends of the expansion slot, to hold the body of the card secure. If these are present, make sure the card slides in the slot easily.
    • Seat the card in the slot with firm but gentle pressure along the length of the card, especially right about the slot itself.
    • Make sure the card is completely seated in the slot, rather than partially seated. (You can check this from the side.)
  7. Secure the card - A small screw may be provided to secure the Ethernet card to the rear panel of the computer.
  8. Close up and reconnect - Finally, close the computer. Connect your computer to AC power, the monitor, keyboard, and mouse, as usual.
  9. Plug into the network - Find the network cable (it looks like a straight telephone cord with oversized plugs) that came with your card. Plug one end into the jack on the back of the network card. Plug the other end into the network jack in the wall of your dorm room. (Hint: The network jack is located on the same wall plate as the jack for the telephone, which has a total of three jacks on it. The network cable can only fit into one of the jacks.)
  10. Turn it on! - Turn your computer back on.

You may now rest. When you're ready, continue with the section below, entitled "Installing the Software". Phew!

Configuring Windows XP

With the card installed safely inside your computer, you must next make sure the computer knows what kind of card is installed. Windows XP should detect the card automatically but these steps will ensure that it is working.

Begin by turning the the computer on (if it isn't already on).

  1. Go to the Start menu, and select Control Panel. The Control Panels open.
  2. Click the control panel called Performance and Maintenance. Then click on the folder called System. The "System Properties" window opens.
  3. Click the tab marked Hardware:
  4. Click on the button labeled Device Manager:
  5. Double-click the item called Network Adapters. Beneath it should appear the name of your Ethernet card. If you do not have an item called "Network Adapters", or if you don't see the name of your Ethernet card when you double-click the item, click the Cancel button and go to the section below entitled Configuring Your Network Adapter by Hand.
  6. Next, double click the name of your Ethernet adapter. This window will appear:

  7. Look carefully at the center panel, titled "Device status". If the text in this box says "This device is working properly.", then you are all set! In this case, click the Cancel button and go to the section below entitled Next Step.
  8. If the text in the "Device status" windows doesn't say "This device is working properly.", then write down on a piece of paper what it says. This may be useful in future troubleshooting. Click on the button entitled "Troubleshoot..." and go through the steps given.
  9. If this still doesn't work, click the Cancel button, and then click the Cancel button back on the "Device Manager" screen, and go to the section below entitled Configuring Your Network Adapter by Hand.

Configuring Your Network Card by Hand

    If your ethernet card is still not working right, or was never detected by the computer, you should follow these steps to install and configure the card by hand.

Add the Network Adapter

  1. From under the Windows XP Start menu, select Control Panel.
  2. From the Control Panels window, click on Printers and Other Hardware. On the left side of the screen, under the title See Also, click on Add Hardware.
  3. The Add New Hardware wizard should come up. Click the Next button on the first screen.
  4. Windows will try to detect new hardware. If it automatically detects your Ethernet card, click Finish to complete the installation and skip down to the section below entitled Next Step.
  5. If your Ethernet card is not found, select Yes, I have already connected the hardware and click the Next button.

     
  6. From the list choose Add a new hardware device and then click Next.

     
  7. From the next list choose Search for and install the hardware automatically(Recommended) and then click Next. Windows will looks for your network adapter. If it does not find the adapter, click Next again.
  8. Windows will show you a list of hardware types to choose from. Select Network Adapters and then click Next.
  9. In this window, in the left-hand frame, click to select the vendor of your Ethernet card. Next, from the right frame, select the individual card that you installed and click on Next. In most cases, you'll simply pick the item that has the exact same model number as the card you purchased (ex., 3C509b-TPO). However, sometimes the choice is a little less clear. Here are some signposts:

    Remember, the Student Help Desk supports 3COM and Farallon cards only!

    • Some card names have "PCI", "EISA", "ISA" or "MC" in them. These refer to types of expansion buses (that is, the type expansion slots in your computer). Refer to your computer's manual if you don't know what kind of slots you have. Here's a quick list:
      • "PCI" is the most common kind of bus in fast Pentium-based computers.
      • "EISA" is probably the most popular bus for faster 486's, 586's and some early Pentiums
      • "ISA" is an older type of local bus most commonly found on older 486-class machines.
      • "MC" generally refers to the "MicroChannel" bus, a less popular alternative found on some IBM computers.
    • "TP" or "Twisted Pair" is the type of cabling in the dorms. Twisted pair jacks look like overweight telephone jacks. Given the alternative, select a card with this type of designation, rather than "Thinnet" or "Token Ring".
    • "PnP" refers to Windows XP's "Plug 'n Play" auto-configuration scheme. Frankly, if auto-configuration worked for you, you wouldn't be at this screen! Nothing personal...
    • Some "combo" cards have more than one type of connection on them (for example, "Twisted Pair" with "Thinnet". If such a card has a "Twisted Pair" connector, it can be used.
    • If you are asked for a floppy disk with drivers, insert the disk that came with your Ethernet card.
    • If your Ethernet card does not appear on the list, you will need to insert the driver disk or CD that came with your network adapter and click on the Have Disk... button. Then, click Browse to find the location of the driver and click Open once you have selected it. Click OK to confirm your selection.


     

  10. From the list given, select the correct network adapter and click Next. Click Next again to install the driver.
  11. Click Finish to complete the installation and go on to the next section.

Next Step

If your machine reboots without error, return to the document entitled How Do I Connect My Windows XP Professional PC to the Trinity Network?, which you received from the Student Help Desk. The "How do I Connect...." document will help you through the two major steps that remain to be done. First, a new network protocol, named TCP/IP needs to be added to your Network Control Panel, and then you must register your computer on the network, by going to http://mail.trincoll.edu/ and clicking on the "Student Network Setup" tab. At this page you will see several links and to register your computer you will need to click on the "Register a Student Computer for Internet Access" link.

Trouble?

If your computer reboots with an error, write down the message that appears. The most likely cause is an incorrect selection for network adapter. Return to the Network Control Panel (see the section entitled "Add the Network Adapter", above). Click the network adapter that was added, then then click the Remove button. Then, you can return to the steps outlined above. If problems persist, call the Student Help Desk at x2007 for directions on how to proceed.