With newer versions of Windows (especially 2000 and XP) this should be
pretty simple with the type of router you have.
Step 1: Verifying existence of network card
-------------------------------------------
Look on the back of your new Windows XP computer in the area near
where the USB and mouse/keyboard ports are (likely near the top of the
back panel). If you see an Ethernet port (jack) there, Step 1 is
done: you're ready for Step 2. If you don't see that port (unlikely),
look elsewhere on the back panels for an ethernet jack. If you see
one, go on to Step 2.
Otherwise, you don't have an ethernet jack in your new Windows XP
computer and will need to buy an ethernet adapter card. Let me know
if you can't find the jack, and I can give you some more advice re:
ethernet/network adapter cards. For your reference, an ethernet jack
looks like a slightly wider phone jack. If the jack is exactly the
size of a standard phone jack, that's a modem port NOT an ethernet
port.
Step 2: Locate or buy an ethernet cable and connect the computer to the router
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Are you replacing your old computer with the Windows XP one? If so,
just leave your old ethernet cable in place and hook it up into the
back of the new computer into the port you found in Step 1. Assuming
you haven't changed anything on the router, the cable should still be
connected from before, and you can go on to Step 3.
Instead, if this new computer will go elsewhere in the house or you
have already disconnected the old computer entirely, connect an
ethernet cable (you can buy them at CompUSA, Best Buy, etc.) from the
back of your new computer to the jack you found in Step 1 to an empty
jack on the back of the RT314 router. You'll notice that there are
four jacks in a row on the left half of the back panel with numbers
(4,3,2,1) and the word LOCAL written above them. Plug the other end
of the ethernet cable from the back of the new computer into any empty
numbered jack. Go on to Step 3.
Step 3: Getting the network up and running
------------------------------------------
As soon as you turn on the new Windows XP computer, you should be on
the network. You should be automatically given an IP address and be
able to access the internet (if the router was previously connected to
the internet).
Go onto your Windows ME computer and go into the Control Panel (Start:
Control Panel). Double-click "Network" to open the Network Properties
Box. Click the "Identification" tab. Write down the workgroup name
listed. Having both computers in the same "workgroup" will make it
easier for you to find one computer from the other on the network.
Return to the new computer. If this is the first time the computer is
used, when you click on Internet Explorer, a "Network Setup Wizard"
will come up (if it goes straight into the browser and not the Wizard,
go on to Step 4.)
Keep clicking "next" until you get to a screen with several
radio-button options. Depending on the version of Windows XP (Home,
Professional, and different releases of each), the screen may vary a
bit, but choose the option that resembles "This Computer Connects To
The Internet Through Another Computer On My Network Or Through A
Residential Gateway". Choose "Determine the appropriate connections
for me," and click Next. Choose a description and a name for this
Windows XP computer, and click Next. Enter the same workgroup name
you jotted down from the Windows ME computer, and click Next. Then,
click Next and let the Wizard do its magic. Try opening Internet
Explorer again. Go on to Step 4.
4. Getting an IP, if necessary
------------------------------
If the router is connected to the internet and you can't see a web
page from Internet Explorer, click Start: Run. Enter "cmd" to enter
DOS. Type "ipconfig /renew" and press ENTER. Once it's done its job,
you should have an IP address and should be able to access the
internet.
At this point you should be able to use your network and the internet
like on the other computers. If it doesn't work at this point, please
let me know and I'll try to troubleshoot with you.
Good luck!
--Joey |
