From the KnowledgeBase
How to enable the wireless card on your Windows computer for PUwireless
Solution:
The following information applies to Windows Vista and XP computers only.
Windows 2000 computer users will need to refer to the vendor provided tools
that manage their wireless cards.
To connect to the Princeton wireless network called PUwireless, your computer needs to be properly registered in the Hostmaster Database. Your wireless Ethernet card address must be included. See the troubleshooting steps below if you cannot connect.
Windows Vista: How to connect to the wireless network
- Click on the Start button, and then click Connect To.
- Select puwireless.
- Click Connect Anyway when advised that the network is not a secure one. This is expected.
- If you do not see the OIT Princeton wireless network, make sure you are in a location with available wireless connectivity.
Windows XP: How to connect to the wireless network
- Click on the Start button, and then click Connect To (if your computer is configured for the classic interface, click on Settings and select Network Connections).
- Right-click on Wireless Network Connection.
- Click on View Available Wireless Networks.
- Select puwireless.
- Check the box Allow me to connect to the selected wireless network when advised that the network is not a secure one. This is expected.
- Click Connect.
- If you do not see the OIT Princeton wireless network, make sure you are in a location with available wireless connectivity.
Troubleshooting
The most important troubleshooting step is to confirm that your wireless
Ethernet card is registered in the Host Database, particularly if you
are new to the University, or recently had hardware work done on your
computer.
Step 1
Find the wireless
address of your computer and write it down. Make sure it is correct.
Step 2
Change your registration information using one of the forms below:
- Change your Host Database registration if you are a Dormnet subscriber.
- Change your Host Database registration if you are a non-Dormnet subscriber.
Step 3
There are times when the wireless card or adapter is disabled and thus unable
to access the network. To check if the wireless adapter is disabled, follow
the proceeding steps:
- Right-click on My Computer either from your desktop (or from your Start menu)
- Click on Properties
- Click on the Hardware tab to go to the hardware section of system properties
- Click on Device Manager and in the next window expand the Network Adapters section.
Here, you should see at least two items (if you have a wireless card). One of them should have "wireless" in the description. If there is a red X on the icon next to the wireless adapter, your wireless card is currently disabled. In order to re-enable the adapter, follow these steps:
- Right-click on the adapter entry and click on Properties
- In the window that pops up, make sure that, at the bottom of the window, the drop down menu reads "Use this device (enable)." Once you have done that, your wireless adapter should be enabled.
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