Windows Vista Laptops




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Maps of Wireless Access Around Campus

Loaner Laptops

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GALEN Home > General Services & Information > Wireless Access > Windows Vista Laptops

Using Wireless with Windows Vista Laptops (UCSF only)

PURPOSE

Follow the steps below to enable wireless with a Windows Vista laptop computer.

Steps to Using Wireless



	1. Have correct hardware and software set up. 2. Find your Network Adapter Address. 3. Modify/create your GALEN Account. 4. Configure/reconfigure your laptop settings.



	1. Have correct hardware and software set up.

	In order to use wireless, you will need the following: - Laptop computer running Windows Vista - Wireless Network Adapter Card [more info]



	2. Find your wireless Network Adapter Address.

	Use the IPCONFIG command to find the wireless Network Adapter Card's Network Adapter Address (also called "MAC" or Media Access Control address). 1. Open a Command Prompt: - Click Windows Vista Start icon. - Select All Programs. - Navigate to Accessories. - Select Command Prompt. 2. Type ipconfig /all. 3. Under the subheading Wireless LAN adapter Wireless Network Connection, locate the Physical Address. The numbers, letters, and dashes next to it are your Network Adapter Address. In the example below, the wireless Physical Address is 00-16-CF-4B-45-00. 4. Write down your Network Adapter Address for the next step. 5. Type exit to close the Command Prompt window. [back to top]



	3. Modify/create your GALEN Account.

	You must have a UCSF student, faculty, or staff GALEN Account for wireless access. You must modify your GALEN account to include your Network Adapter Address. The registration of your Network Adapter Address will be effective in 20 minutes. If you don't have a GALEN Account, create one now, then modify your account. [back to top]



	4. Configure/reconfigure your laptop settings.

	WARNING: UCSF faculty and staff -- if your laptop is manually configured with an IP address for use in another network such as your office, the steps below may erase that configuration. Consult with your department Computer Support Coordinator for support or write down your existing IP Address, Subnet Mask, and Default Gateway before proceeding (you can find them by following the same procedure you used to find your Network Adapter Address, above). To use wireless, you may need to configure your laptop's settings to obtain an IP address automatically and set the appropriate authentication and encryption for the UCSF wireless network. 1. Click Windows Vista start icon, then select Control Panels. Double click the Network & Sharing Center. 2. Under Tasks, click Manage wireless networks. 3. In the new window, click Add. 4. In the next window, "How do you want to add a network?", click once and highlight "Add a network that is in range of this computer." If on campus and UCSF is shown, click once and highlight UCSF, then click "Connect." 5. The next window states, "UCSF is an unsecured network." You must click "Connect Anyway." 6. The next window states, "Successfully connected to UCSF." Check the box next to "Save this network." The box "Start this connection automatically" should also be checked. Click the "Close" button. Wireless access should be available 20 minutes after modifying your GALEN Account with your Network Adapter Address. Start your web browser to check your email, search for documents in GALEN, or browse the Web. 7. The network name, authentication, and encryption should be automatically managed by your laptop wireless utility software. These are the correct wireless settings: If you experience problems, refer to the wireless Troubleshooting Guide. [back to top]



	More Information

	Your laptop computer needs a wireless Network Adapter Card (also called NIC, or Network Interface Card) in order to connect to the wireless Library network. Most computers have a built-in wireless Network Adapter, while older computers may require a PCMCIA Network Adapter Card. Built-in wireless Network Adapter Cards should automatically be configured properly and should be turned on. PCMCIA or external wireless Network Adapter Cards come with software and documentation and require setup. If necessary consult the external wireless Network Adapter Card manufacturer's website for setup information. The UCSF Technology Store, UCSF's computer store, can help you get your laptop ready for wireless. Visit the UCSF Technology Store's Computer Repair and Upgrade web page or drop by the UCSF Technology Store, located in Millberry Union West, I Level. [back to top]

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