DIY Networks - Configuring a Wireless Connection on Windows Vista

How to Connect to a Wireless Network with Windows Vista

Whether you have just configured your access point or router or your intention is to connect to an existing wireless network it only takes a few easy steps to join a wireless network and start using its resources. If you need to specify a fixed IP address for your wireless connection and are already connected to a wireless network you may wish to skip to Page Two .

Some computers will already have an icon down by the time on the bottom left hand corner of your screen that you can double click on to configure your wireless adapter, if your PC does not have this simply navigate your way to Network Connections as described in Manage Your Vista Network Connections. Double Click on your wireless connection.

The computer should now prompt you to connect to a network and you will be presented with a list of available network connections of all types. We can see the SSID's of various nearby wireless networks including ours with an SSID of diynetworks. Double click on your wireless network to attempt to join it or highlight the network and click the connect button on the bottom of the dialogue box.

Your computer will now attempt to connect to your network and it will negotiate automatically with your access point or router to determine the security type. It should then prompt you to type in the security key or passphrase for the network, which of course you wrote down when you configured your access point. If you do not know it you should consult the administrator of the network. Type in the passphrase and click connect.

Once you have typed in the passphrase and clicked connect the computer will display a box that states that it is attempting to connect to the wireless network. It may stay on this screen for several seconds.

When the computer has successfully connected to your wireless network you will be prompted to save this network so that the C will store the network key on its hard disk and you will be able to connect in future without typing it in. You may also specify whether or not you wish to start the connection automatically, which means that the computer will automatically connect to this network if it sees that it is available. Click close once you have ticked the appropriate boxes.

When Windows Vista detects a new network or internet connection it will automatically ask you to select a location for this connection. The location you select will determine what services such as file and printer sharing can be made available on your PC to this network. Public location is a safe choice if you are unsure but limits the ability of other computers on your network to use your computers resources. Home or Work are less secure but allow more services to be available. Click on the choice that best suits your network.