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Connecting to a Wireless Local Area Network
Your wireless network card requires proper software and drivers in order to connect to a network. The
software is pre-installed in the factory. If the software is removed or corrupted, follow the instructions listed in
the User's Guide for your wireless card. The User's Guide is located on your Drivers and Utilities CD (that
came with your computer) in the "User's Guides-Network User's Guides" category. The User's Guide is also
available on the Dell Support website at support.dell.com.
1. Click the Start button, click Control Panel, and then click Switch to Classic View.
2. Double-click Network Connections.
3. Click Wireless Network Connection.
The Wireless Network Connection icon is highlighted.
4. Under Network Tasks in the left-hand pane, click Change settings of this connection.
The Wireless Network Connection Properties window appears.
5. Select the Wireless Networks tab.
NOTE:
The names of wireless networks that your computer can detect are listed under Available
Networks.
6. Click Add.
The Wireless network properties window appears.
7. Enter the name of your network in the Network name (SSID) field.
8. If you are connecting to an ad-hoc network, which does not use any routers or access points, click the
check box labeled This is a computer-to-computer (ad hoc) network; wireless access points are
not used.
9. Click OK.
Your new network name appears in the Preferred networks area.
Finalizing Your Network Connection (Security Settings)
To finalize your connection, you must change your wireless security settings to match the wireless network
you are trying to connect to. Choose one of the following connection options based on the security settings for
your network:
Connecting to a Network without Security-Related Requirements (common for home and small office
networks)
Connecting to a Network with Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) Security Requirements
Connecting to a Network with Wired Equivalent Protocol (WEP) Security Requirements
NOTE:
Network security settings are only provided by your network administrator and are unique to
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