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You are here: Experts > Computing/Technology > Focus on Windows > Windows XP > Connecting to internet
Windows XP - Connecting to internet
Expert: Lorry - 11/3/2009
Question
QUESTION: I did a clean install of her Windows XP Professional (2002) on a friend's old Dell computer. I need to run updates but the only internet connection options are for dial-up and she has DSL broadband. As it is impossible to run an auto-update on this machine, exactly what should I download from MS on my computer to put on her computer so she can access the internet? She is only going to be running the computer to access the internet on a wireless connection, she will not be running applications on it other than Firefox. Thanks.
ANSWER: Hi Susan,
Microsoft explains Use Windows XP to join a network at:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/winxp/network.mspx
Also check out the following for more information:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/expert/honeycutt_june11.mspx
Hope this helps!
Lorry
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Sorry, but I still don't see how I'm supposed to update the computer so that it gives me an option for connecting to the internet other than through dial-up alone. The wizard thing keeps asking me for a local access number, totally ignoring the CAT-5 cable physically connecting it to the Netgear box--forget wireless, this thing is stuck in a time warp and only sees that infrared. I also tried connecting it directly to the Westell DSL modem. I can't configure the computer if it thinks that a 56K modem is its sole channel to the internet.
Is there a specific driver its missing that I can download on my laptop and then install in my friend's computer so that the latter can join the present? An update? A patch?
ANSWER: Hi Susan,
Checked with a friend of mine who came back with:
I'll give you odds that the NIC isn't recognized. Check Device Manager as the first step. If I'm right, they'll have to find out who made it and the model in order to get the right driver.
NIC is the expansion card you insert into a computer so the computer can be connected to a network.
Hope this helps!
Lorry
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: OK, thanks, that's probably it. I downloaded the drive straight from the Dell Resources disk, and I can see it is there, but the machine can't. I'll download a new one on my laptop and transfer it to her computer.
Answer
Hi Susan,
Had a similar problem with one of my friend's computer yesterday, he couldn't get on-line with the wireless network even though he had a NIC installed. We ended up installing the Desktop Adapter from D-Link, he is now connected.
Hope this helps!
Lorry
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