Configure LAN Card

Hello,

How to configure a lan card? I'm having new add-on card and need to configure it . I'm using Windows XP and i'm noob in all this type of hardware stuffs. Please help.

Which lan card you having? Refer to the LAN card manual for the hardware installation. and after hardware installation:

1. Double click the My Computer icon on your desktop.
2. Locate and double click on the Control Panel icon.
3. Next double click the Network icon to open the Network Control Panel

The Local Area Connection window will list the Network Adapters, Network Protocols, and Network Clients that you have installed on your system. The specific configuration will likely vary from the process.

If TCP/IP is already installed, it will appear in the list of installed protocols. Click once on the listed item Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) - this will select this item. Now click the Properties button.

Verify both the Obtain an IP address automatically and the Obtain DNS server address automatically radio buttons are selected. Click on the Advanced button.

In the Advanced TCP/IP Settings window, click on the DNS tab. Uncheck the box Register this connection's addresses in DNS toward the bottom of the screen.

Click OK to close the Advanced TCP/IP Settings window. Click OK to close the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties window. Continue by clicking the OK button to close the Local Area Connection Properties window. Close the Network and Dial-up Connections window.

At this point, you may be prompted to restart your computer.

Hardware Installation:

Opening the Case:

1. Shut off the system if it is on.
2. Remove all cables connecting to the computer.
3. Locate the screws holding the case cover in place on the frame.
4. Remove the screws attaching the cover to the frame.
5. Many new systems have tight cases and/or special cases. Removing the casing might require some prying. Use a flat-head screwdriver to push the case open against the front panel. Seek assistance if you cannot open the case alone. If the case seems really peculiar. Check your computer's user manual first to see if they instruct you on how to open your computer.

Locating the Expansion Slots:

1. Place the open computer frame on its side with the motherboard facing up. This means you can see the motherboard from a bird's eye view. The motherboard is the biggest board you can see within the frame. It usually covers an entire side and has other smaller boards sticking up from it.
2. Looking at the motherboard, try to locate the expansion slots. Expansion slots are either long black strips or short white strips that look like Lego blocks standing up. ISA slots are black. PCI slots are white. Open slots are those that do not have other boards inserted in them.

Installing Your New Card:

1. Determine which interface (ISA or PCI) your card uses. ISA is long and the gold contacts are large. PCI is much shorter and smaller.
2. Next, check to see if the expansion slot opening next to the slot is covered. If it is, remove the cover by unscrewing it from the frame or popping it out. (IMPORTANT: Keep the screw and the slot cover.) If you have a new case that has slot covers built in you will have to remove them manually with a screwdriver. Please refer to your user manual for details.
3. When the slot cover has been removed, insert your card into the expansion slot on the motherboard. Press firmly so the entire part of the card that has the gold contacts goes completely into the expansion slot on the motherboard and will go no further. Do not use any tools to try to hammer the card in if it does not fit.
4. Make sure the side of the card resembling the expansion slot cover you just removed is covering most of the open slot.
5. Screw the card into place with the screw you removed from the expansion slot cover or a new screw.