Connect to a Wireless Network on Windows* XP/2000



Connect to a Wireless Network You can connect to a wireless network with one of the following methods.

  • Automatic Connection: If an existing profile matches an available network, you are automatically connected to that wireless network.
  • Configure a new profile: Select a wireless network from the list of wireless networks in the Intel® PROSet/Wireless main window. Click Connect . If you successfully connect, a profile is created in the Profiles list for future use.
  • Connect to a profile in the Profiles list: You can select a profile from the Profiles list. To activate it, click Connect . This allows you to connect to a network that is lower in the list (if it is available).
  • Right-click the Taskbar icon located in the lower right corner of your Windows* Desktop. Right-click Connect to Profiles . A list of previously configured profiles is listed. Select a profile.

First Time Connection Intel PROSet/Wireless automatically detects wireless networks that are within range of your wireless adapter. When a network is found, a desktop alert notification displays: Wireless networks found . See Taskbar Icons for more information.
1. Double-click the desktop alert to open the Intel PROSet/Wireless main window.
2. Select a network from the wireless networks list.
3. Click Connect . If the network does not require security authentication, a desktop alert notifies you that you are connected to the network.
If you need to add security authentication:

1. The Create Wireless Profile General Settings opens and guides you through the configuration process.
2. Specify a Profile Name. The Profile Name is your name for this network. It can be anything that helps you identify this network. For example, My Home Network, Coffee Shop on A Street.
3. Wireless Network Name (SSID): Contains the network identifier name.
4. Click Next. The Security Settings attempts to detect the network settings of this network.
  • If a pre-shared key (PSK) or WEP password are required, you are prompted to enter this information prior to connection. Click Advanced to change or edit the PSK or other security settings.
  • If you need to add security settings, click Next to add the required security.
5. Click OK to connect to the wireless network.If you ignore the Wireless networks found desktop alert, Intel PROSet/Wireless displays a message that prompts: Do you want to connect to a wireless network? Click Yes . The Intel PROSet/Wireless main window opens. Follow the instructions above to connect to a wireless network.




Other Wireless Managers

If the Intel PROSet/Wireless detects another software application trying to communicate with the wireless device, you are notified of this behavior.

Windows* XP Wireless Zero Configuration

To switch from Intel PROSet/Wireless to the Windows XP Wireless Zero Configuration, use either of the following methods:

From the Taskbar Menu:
Click Use Windows to manage Wi-Fi to switch to Windows XP Wireless Zero Configuration. Select this option to disable Intel PROSet/Wireless as your current wireless manager. You can then configure Windows XP as your wireless manager.



NOTE:Any wireless profiles created in Intel PROSet/Wireless are not visible in Windows XP Wireless Zero Configuration. If you want to use your Intel wireless profiles you need to select Use Intel PROSet/Wireless to manage Wi-Fi from the Taskbar menu.

From Intel PROSet/Wireless:
From the Advanced menu, click Use Windows to manage Wi-Fi in the Intel PROSet/Wireless application.
When you are finished using the Microsoft Windows XP Wireless Zero Configuration, you can switch back to Intel PROSet/Wireless.
Click Enable Intel PROSet/Wireless on the Intel PROSet/Wireless main window or click Use Intel PROSet/Wireless to manage Wi-Fi from the Taskbar menu.




Third Party Wireless Software

If you use software provided by a hotspot location (coffee shop, airport terminal), Intel PROSet/Wireless notifies you and then disables itself. It cannot manage the wireless device when another wireless manager communicates with the wireless device. To take advantage of the Intel PROSet/Wireless features, you want to disable or remove this software when you leave the hotspot.

Operating System:
Windows* XP Professional x64 Edition, Windows* 2000, Windows* XP 64-Bit Edition, Windows* XP Professional, Windows* XP Home Edition, Windows* XP Tablet PC Edition, Windows* XP Media Center Edition

This applies to:Intel®PRO/Wireless 2200BG Network Connection
Intel®PRO/Wireless 2915ABG Network Connection
Intel®PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network Connection
Intel®Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN