Toggling Between Windows XP and the Manufacturer Utility
If you have not noticed yet, Windows XP has a built-in wireless configuration utility. In addition, most wireless adapters have a custom wireless configuration utility that you can use. Usually you can pick which utility you want to use.
Most wireless vendors automatically set up their utility to work. Therefore, if you want to use their utility, you should not have to make changes to get their utility working. However, if you disabled it earlier or if it is not working, try disabling the Windows XP utility and stopping the Wireless Zero Configuration Service, using the instructions in this section.
On the other hand, if you want to use the Windows XP configuration utility, called the Wireless Zero Configuration, instead of the vendor's configuration utility, you probably need to do some things to enable it. First try enabling the Windows XP utility using the instructions described in the following sections.
Enabling/Disabling the Windows XP Utility
You can switch between the Windows XP and the manufacturer's utility by following these steps:
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Step 1. |
In the lower-left corner of Windows, click the Start button.
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Step 2. |
Hover the mouse pointer over the Connect To option, as shown in Figure 13-3.
If the Connect To option is not available, your Start menu is likely in classic mode. In that case, hover over the Settings option, and then hover over the Network Connections option. |
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Step 3. |
Right-click the wireless adapter, and click the Properties option.
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Step 4. |
Click the tab labeled Wireless Networks.
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Step 5. |
If you do not see the Wireless Networks tab, make sure that the wireless adapter is enabled. In addition, the Wireless Zero Configuration service might be disabled; therefore, you might want to follow the instructions in the next section and then continue with this step.
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Step 6. |
As needed, check or uncheck the option Use Windows to configure my wireless network settings, as shown in Figure 13-4.
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Step 7. |
Click OK to apply the changes. |
Starting/Stopping the Wireless Zero Configuration Service
Start and stop the Wireless Zero Configuration service that is used to run the Windows XP configuration utility by doing the following:
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Step 1. |
In the lower-left corner of Windows, click the Start button.
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Step 2. |
Click Run.
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Step 3. |
Enter %SystemRoot%\system32\services.msc /s, as shown in Figure 13-5, and then click OK.
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Step 4. |
Scroll down to the Wireless Zero Configuration listing, and double-click it.
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Step 5. |
To enable, click the Start button. In the Startup type drop-down list, select Automatic, and then click Apply. |
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Step 6. |
To disable, click the Stop button. In the Startup type drop-down list, select Disabled, and then click Apply.
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