Dec 5, 2009

Windows XP Networking

Below is a list of the networking configurations, troubleshooting and installation in Windows XP Professional.


How to Install Network Adapter
Network adapter is necessary to connect the computer to the network. Many computers have built in network adapter. If your computer doesn’t have the NIC, you can install it by the following method.
1. Insert the NIC in any available PCI slot of your computer.
2. After the system detect any new hardware device (NIC adapter), it will search for the appropriate driver. In case if Windows XP doesn’t find the driver you will be promoted to install the driver for that device.
3. When the driver for the NIC adapter is successfully installed, go to the Start > Control Panel > double click Network Connections >. Here you will see Local Area Connection Icon with the lights turned on.
4. Right click the Local Area Connection > Properties > Internet Protocols > Properties. Here you can assign an IP address manually or obtain an IP address automatically from the DHCP server. Here you can also configure the subnet mask, Gateway and DNS.
How to add a computer in your network using Windows XP
Windows XP is designed for the standalone computers as well as for connecting with the other computers in the network. After connecting to the network, you can share files, send printing requests, access internet, play LAN games and share CD/DVD ROM of the server. You can add your computer in the network by the following method.
1. Turn off your computer
2. Log on as a Administrator and add a LAN card into the PCI slot of your computer
3. You will be prompted for the driver for the LAN card. Install the driver by CD-ROM, floppy or through the USB drive.
4. After installing the driver of the LAN card, you are required to configure it. You can configure the LAN card as mentioned in this section.

How to connect an Xbox to your network
To connect both the Xbox and computer to the internet you need to have X-box Live compatible router. Router will share your internet connection so that your computer and Xbox use the internet connection at the same time. To connect Xbox to your network, connect it to your TV.
1. Unplug the network cable from the back of your computer and plug it into the port WAN, Internet or WLAN on the back of your router.
2. If your computer is not currently connected to the internet, plug one end of the cable into the Modem and the other end of the cable into the WAN, Internet or WLAN port of your wireless router.
3. Plug in your router, after a minute or two the WLAN, WAN or internet light on your router should be turned on.
4. Plug your computer’s network cable into the router.
5. Turn off your Xbox 360. Connect it to the internet by plugging one end of the network cable included with Xbox 360 into the router and the one end into the I/O port at the back of the Xbox 360.
6. Start your Xbox 360 and start your gamer profile. You can enjoy both Xbox 360 and Xbox live play.

How to share and stop sharing files
To share files and folders on your computer and on the other computer on the network you need to have Administrative rights and you need to share a folder on your computer and setup user accounts.
1. Log on with an Administrator account
2. Open my computer > drive click on any drive (C, D, F) and open it. Select the folder you want to share.
3. Right click on that folder >Go to sharing and security >. In the network sharing and security. Check “share this folder on the network” and assign a shared name to this folder. You can also allow rights to the other users on the network by checking this box “Allow network users to change my files”.

How to Map a Network drive
1. Open Windows explorer by right clicking on the Start > Select any folder you want to map for a network drive > go to tools > Map network drive > Assign a drive letter and select the folder, which you want to map. You can open all the Mapped drive folders through the My Computer.
How to backup your Network Settings
Windows XP has a handy utility by which you can backup your network settings and restore them at any time.
Backup your Network Settings
1. Start > Accessories > System Tools > Backup. Welcome to Backup or Restore wizard will appear.
2. On the backup and restore page, make sure backup files and settings is selected.
3. On what to backup page, select let me choose what to backup and click next.
4. Expand my computer on the items to backup page and select system state. You can backup your files and folders at the same time by selecting those folders.
5. Click the browse button and select the backup destination with at least 1500 MB free available space. You can save the backup to the my documents folder if you are only taking backup of your network settings.
6. After completing the backup process click finish.

How to repair Network Connections
Windows XP can troubleshoot many configurations and software related problems with any third party tool. You can repair your network connection the by following steps.
1. Control Panel > Network and Internet Connection > Double click network connections and right click on the Local Area Connection and click repair. It will repair the network connection for any connectivity related and other problems.
How to ping a Local Area Network
If you want to ping any computer in your local area network or WAN you can ping the computer with the following command. Ping is used to check the connectivity of any computer.
Ping IP Address of the Computer
Ping 10.10.10.100
If you get reply from that computer, that shows network connectivity is okay.
Message “Reply from 10.10.10.100: bytes=32 time <1ms TTL=128”
If you get the time out message like the following then there is problem in the network connections. Check the IP addresses cables connectivity at both ends to troubleshoot this problem.
Message “Request Time Out”





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