Windows XP
Network Software Instructions:
Direct Connection (Ethernet) Option

Note: These instructions may not reflect the exact appearance of Windows on your computer due to differences in Windows releases. If you reach an impasse installing and configuring Windows Network Software, please either call the UVa ITC Computing Help Desk (8:00am – 5:00pm Mon-Fri except UVa holidays), or send email to consult@virginia.edu.

Note: Needed Windows files are most likely on your computer primary hard drive; if not, you will need your Windows XP System CD.

 

Contents

Before You Start
Configure Windows XP Local Area Connection Properties
Troubleshooting Windows XP Network Connection
 
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Before You Start

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Configure Windows XP Local Area Connection Properties

  1. Click the Windows Start button, click Control Panel, double-click the Network Connections icon, and double-click the Local Area Connection icon.
  2. A Local Are Connection Status window appears; click the Properties button (see figure below); a Local Area Connection Properties window appears.

    Local Area Network Connetion properties window with Cursor on the 'Properties' button, prepared to click it.


  3. In the Local Area Connection Properties window:

    a. Client for Microsoft Networks should be present and checked (see figure below).

    b. QoS Packet Scheduler should
    be present and checked.

    c. You may wish to turn off File and Printer Sharing (see figure below), as this item allows other computers to access resources on your computer; if so, remove the checkmark from the checkbox next to that item. Then:

    d. Select the item Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and click the Properties button (see figure below); an Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties window appears.


    Local Area Connection Propeties.  Boxes at Client for Microsoft Networks Checked, File and rinter Sharing unchecked, QoS Packet Scheduler Checked, Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) checked, and highlighed, Properties Button Active, with cursor over the Properties button

  4. In the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties window that appears, click the Advanced button (see figure below); an Advanced TCP/IP Settings window appears.

    Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties window, with General tab selected, Obtain IP address automatically selected, Obtain DNS Server address automatically selected, and cursor over the highlighted Advanced... button


  5. In the Advanced TCP/IP Settings window that appears, select the item Append these DNS suffixes (in order), and click the Add button (see figure below); a TCP/IP Domain Suffix window appears.

    Advanced TCP/IP settings with the DNS tab selected.  Filled out in the DNS server address, box 128.143.2.7, 128.143.22.119, 128.143.3.7, Append these DNS suffixes (in order): checked, and highlighted with a bubble to 'select this item'

  6. In the TCP/IP Domain Suffix window that appears, in the Domain Suffix field, enter the string virginia.edu (spelled correctly, and in lower-case letters), and click the Add button; the Advanced TCP/IP Settings window reappears. Do this for each domain suffix you might need to add (see your network administrator, if you have one, for any others that might be required in your area). The Advanced TCP/IP Settings window reappears each time.

    Box which pops up after clicking on the add button with the DNS suffix serch option in the Advanced window DNS tab.  Box has virginia.edu listed in the Domain suffix: field.  Add highlighted

  7. In the Advanced TCP/IP Settings window that reappears (see figure below):

    a. Clear (remove the checkmark from) the Enable LMHOSTS Lookup checkbox, then:

    b. Select Enable NetBIOS over TCP/IP, then:

    c. Click the Add button; a TCP/IP WINS Server window appears.

    Advanced TCP/IP settings with the  WINS tab selected.  Uncheck Enable LMHOSTS lookup, select Enable NetBIOS over TCP/IP, Add... button below  WINS server address box.

  8. In the TCP/IP WINS Server window that appears, in the WINS Server field, enter the WINS Server number 128.143.3.199 and click the Add button (see figure below); the Advanced TCP/IP Settings window reappears. Then do the same for the WINS Server number 128.143.22.189; the Advanced TCP/IP Settings window reappears.

    TCP/IP WINS Server window with 128.143.3.199 in it.

  9. In the Advanced TCP/IP Settings window that reappears, click the OK button to save your changes; the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties window reappears.

    Advanced TCP/IP Settings with WINS tab selected, WINS addresses, in order of use: window contains 128.143.3.199 and 128.143.22.189, Enable NetBIOS over TCP/IP selected.

  10. In the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties window that reappears, click the OK button to save your changes (see figure below); the Local Area Connection Properties window reappears.

    Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) main window, general tab selected, filled out with Obtain IP Address automitically selected, Use the following DNS Sever addresses selected, Preferred DNS server: box filled in 128.143.2.7, Alternate DNS Server: box filled out 128.143.22.119, OK button highlighted and selected with cursor.

  11. In the Local Area Connection Properties window that reappears, click the Okay button to save all your changes (see figure below); the Local Area Connection Status window reappears.

    Local Area Connection Properties window, with Okay buton highlighted and cursor on it.

  12. In the Local Area Connection Status window that reappears, click the Close button.

    Local Area Connection Status window, with Close buton highlighted and cursor on it.

  13. Close the Network Connections window; you should be back at the Windows Desktop.

  14. After a proper network connection has been established, you can begin to use software applications that utilize the Internet, such as the Netscape Communicator Web browser and Mulberry E-Mail—provided that you have these kinds of applications installed on your computer. Find these and other applications on the ITC Software CD Fall 2002 CDROM disc, and on the UVa ITC Software Central Web page at http://www.itc.virginia.edu/central.

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See the ITC Software Central Web site for more software downloading information and updates, at:

 http://www.itc.virginia.edu/central
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Troubleshooting Windows XP Network Connection

Possible Problem

What to Check

Solution

Contact

Incorrect cable

Network interface cables, RJ45 cables, are similar to telephone modular cables, but larger. The end connectors have eight metal contacts; telephone cables have four metal contacts.

Obtain correct cable.

The vendor from whom you obtained the Ethernet adapter card or network cable.

Loose wall connection

Unplug and firmly reinsert the network cable at the wall outlet.

If wall connection had been loose, reinserting should fix it. If connector is broken, replace cable.

The vendor from whom you obtained the Ethernet adapter card or network cable.

Loose computer connection

Unplug and firmly reinsert the network cable into the Ethernet adapter card port on the rear panel of the computer.

If computer connection had been loose, reinserting should fix it. If connector is broken, replace cable.

The vendor from whom you obtained the Ethernet adapter card or network cable.

Bad wall outlet

Check the data indicator lights on the Ethernet card on the back panel of the computer, if present.

One steady and one intermittent light should be on when Windows is running and the network cable is plugged in. If the lights do not display properly, connect your computer to a known working network outlet to check for a connection.

Report the bad outlet.

If your outlet is bad, call the ITC Computing Helpdesk at (434) 924-3731. We will arrange for free repair. If the outlet is found not to be bad, you may be charged for the visit.

Windows XP:

Bad Ethernet adapter card, cable, wall outlet, or network software setup

Click Start, then click Run. Type command into the Open field, and click OK. Type ipconfig at the command prompt in the window that appears and press Enter. Make sure that you have an IP Address number. If the number starts with the numbers 169.254 (e.g. 169.254.123.123), you have a bad card, cable, outlet, or connection.

See the next step in this table for information on how to check your wall outlet and network cable.

ITC Computing Helpdesk at (434) 924-3731.

Bad Ethernet adapter card

Locate a computer which is connected to the network at a different wall outlet. Connect this working computer to your wall outlet using your cable. If this computer works at your outlet, your computer may have a bad Ethernet adapter card, and/or network software configuration.

Determine if Ethernet adapter card is defective.

1. If you paid to have the card installed, call the vendor who provided the service.

2. If you installed a Macrosoft-supplied Ethernet card yourself, call Macrosoft at (434) 297-0863. (Five minutes of free support are included with your purchase.)

3. If the card is from another source, call the ITC Computing Helpdesk at (434) 924-3731 to arrange a visit from our ITC Network Operations team (fee-based).

Poorly seated Ethernet adapter card

Follow the instructions in the ITC document "Ethernet Adapter Card Installation" to open the computer and see the card.

Re-seat network card in computer, reassemble computer, and re-attach all cables.

ITC Computing Helpdesk at (434) 924-3731.

Incorrect hardware configuration

Review the ITC document "Ethernet Adapter Card Installation," including the Troubleshooting section.

Re-configure network card (see "Ethernet Adapter Card Installation").

ITC Computing Helpdesk at (434) 924-3731.

Incorrect software configuration

In this document. review the section, Configure Windows XP Network Software Components

Re-install network software.

ITC Computing Helpdesk at (434) 924-3731 or e-mail consult@virginia.edu.

 
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